Hethersett Athletic

The first team will be looking to put the disappointment of last season behind them as they mount another serious assault on the Norwich Sunday League Premier Division title.

Just one point in their last three games scuppered their title hopes last season. They will have to be quickly into their stride, however, as they open with one of their most difficult fixtures – an away game at Delaneys.

The Reserves and A team have both been strengthened and will be looking to mount serious promotion challenges in Divisions 2B and 4B.

The first team started their preparation for the season with a fine 3-1 victory over Anglian Combination side Hempnall and took the opportunity to look at some new players and give an outing to some of the club’s talented youth players.

The Ladies team have already completed stunning pre-season victories over Lincoln and Crystal Palace and will be looking to gain promotion for the second successive year as they travel far afield in the Eastern Region Premier Division.

The youth set-up at the club also goes from strength to strength with teams at all ages from Under-8 to Under-16s and for both sexes.

“Our aim is to provide competitive football for both sexes and all age ranges,” said club chairman.

The club haled a very successful youth team funday at Hethersett Middle School where competitive five-a-sides were interspersed by team trophy presentations. The adult teams held their presentation evening at Park Farm Hotel where the prestigious Lee Thompson Memorial Trophy was presented to club vice-chair Sue Milne for her outstanding contribution to women’s and girls football both in Hethersett and Norfolk.

The club also held a very successful adult five-a-side tournament on the Memorial Field with 19 top Sunday League teams taking part. The event was won by AFC Wanderers.

The following officers were elected at the club’s annual meeting: Chair, Peter Steward; Vice-Chair, Sue Milne; Secretary, Mel Perkins; Assistant Secretary, Sue Buffin; Treasurer, Mike Molloy; Assistant Treasurer, Maxine Molloy; Football Development Officer, Nick Tarrant; Club Development Officer, Ray Milne; Girls/Ladies Football Development Officer (new post), Sue Milne; Child Welfare Officer, Sue Milne; Events Officer, Richard Gamble; Schools’ Officers, Tom Parke and Chris Bolderstone; Marketing and Publicity Officer, Peter Steward; Sponsorship Officer, Kelvin Sadler; Referees’ Co-ordinator, Tim Sadler; Volunteer Co-ordinating Officer, Kelvin Sadler

The club is also working with a number of local companies on sponsorship deals. Up to date news from Hethersett Athletic is available on the club web site at www.hethersettathletic.org.uk

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Hethersett Athletic Ladies have had the best possible build-up to the season with wins against two of the country’s top teams.

They travelled to Lincoln and came away with an astonishing 8-6 victory. Lincoln play in the second highest ladies soccer league – the Southern Premier Division. Hethersett were anything but overawed, however, as the goals flowed at both ends.

Hethersett fielded the majority of last season’s squad that gained promotion to the Eastern Region Premier Division. Lincoln played many of their first team squad.

Last season’s top scorer Nicola Bray led the way for Hethersett with a hat-trick.

Hethersett then took on the might of Crystal Palace at Thorpe and came away with a 3-1 victory against a very strong London side.

Hethersett opened the scoring after 30 minutes when Nicola Stolworthy bundled the ball home from close range. Minutes later Nicola Bray was pulled down in the penalty area and Stolworthy converted the penalty.

Palace came back into the game in the second half with a goal from a free-kick but Hethersett made sure of victory with another penalty – this time from Amy Brooks.

After the game Hethersett’s vice-chair and women’s football development officer Sue Milne said: “We are busy preparing for the new season in the Eastern Region Women’s Premier Division. Having been promoted from Division One East last year the squad has grown in both strength and numbers in anticipation of tougher challenges ahead. We have attracted four new quality players who will be joining all last season’s squad. We have been very fortunate to play Lincoln and Crystal Palace who are high profile teams.”

The ladies team start their league fixtures with an away game against Harringey Borough on 26^th August. September fixtures are: September 9^th – Royston Town (home), September 16^th – Woodbridge (away), September 23^rd – Cambridge United (home), September 30^th – Bedford Ladies (home), date to be arranged – Niorwich City (away).

The team has signed a two year sponsorship deal with Bennetts Electrical. This will include upgrading the home kit and supplying a new away strip and also provide funds to cover the cost of long distance travel in the coming season to play teams from Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, London and Hertfordshire. Hethersett has also entered the Women’s FA Cup competition.

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Hethersett Athletic’s first team prepared for the season with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Anglian Combination side Hempnall in a pre-season friendly.

Two goals from Ben Thompson and an unfortunate own goal gave Hethersett a comfortable 3-0 lead before Hempnall pulled a goal back late in the game. Hethersett took the lead after 12 minutes with an own goal. Thompson made it 2-0 10 minutes from half-time when he lobbed the ball over the advancing ‘keeper and the same player made it three after 75 minutes when he walked the ball home after good work from youngster Adam Waters. Hempnall pulled a goal back five minutes from the end.

The game gave Hethersett an opportunity to look at some new players and give a run out to some of the younger squad members before the league season starts with a tough game at Delaneys on September 1st.