Hethersett Athletic

Norman started the day on top of the Norwich Sunday League Premier Division, but it was Hethersett who opened strongly and scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game after just two minutes when leading scorer Mark Appleton latched onto a fine through ball from Matt Steward and scored with a rasping drive from an acute angle.

A few minutes later Scott Woodock headed against the underside of the bar as Hethersett totally dominated the opening exchanges. Norman came back into the game towards half-time.

After the break Hethersett found it tough going against an uncompromising visiting side, although the speed of Mark Appleton and Woodcock always unsettled the visiting defence.

Hethersett held on for all three points to continue their march up the division. Norman had three players booked and one sent off. This week the first team are home again to Eaton Beehive (Easton College 10.30 a.m) hoping not only to avenge an early season defeat but also to score their seventh consecutive victory in league and cup matches.

Hethersett Reserves had a ding dong battle at Drayton with a 12 goal thriller ending in a 6-6 draw. Hethersett goals came from Cameron 2, Leverett 2 and Danny Bradfield 2. The A team also drew – 2-2 at home to Taverham Reserves with goals from Lewis Allen and a 30 yard drive from Rob Pugh. They will be rather disappointed with the result, however, after having led 2-0. Andy Oliver was making his 150^th appearance for the club in this game.

The women’s team boosted their title chances with a fine 7-1 victory over Brentwood Town who are the only team to beat Athletic this season. Recent signing Nicola Bray led the way with five goals and Emily Coates added the other two. Emily is the current top scorer at the club with 15 goals this season.

The Under-15 girls also hit seven when they beat Swaffham Vixens 7-0 with goals from Hyam 2, Fisher 2, Munro, Batch and Hayward. The Under-11 girls are top of their league after beating Red Rose 4-1 with a hat-trick from Faulkner-Edwards and another from Sophie Rock.

The Under-16s beat Watton 1-0 in the League Cup (Newbury), the Under-15s went down 3-2 at home to Drayton (Dalmay, Molloy), the Under-14s lost 3-1 at home to Poringland (Crowe), the Under-13s beat Fakenham 6-1 (Bensley 2, Keeley 2, Ford and Springall) to record their first victory of the season, the Under-12s lost 5-3 to Lakeford (Bell, Wilcox and an own goal), the Under-11s beat Scole 4-2 (Foster 2, Rathjen and Groom) and the Under-9A side drew 2-2 with Sprowston (Gray, Barratt) and beat Blofield 4-1 (Baxter 3, Barratt).

This week the club’s sides play their last fixtures before the Christmas break. On Saturday the Girls Under-15s play Swaffham Vixens at Spooner Row.

On Sunday the Men’s Reserves visit Thorpe Rovers and the Men’s A are home to Sprowston Rovers (Memorial Field 10.30 a.m), The Women’s side visit Barchester United. The Under-16s are home to Costessey (Memorial Field 2 p.m), the Under-15s visit Sprowston, the Under-14s are home to Wymondham Youth (Old Hall School 10.30), the Under-13s are away to Bressingham, the Under-12s away to Drayton, the Under-10s home to Jex and Firside (Memorial Field 2 p.m) and the Under-9B team visit Litcham.