Hethersett Athletic

Hethersett Athletic’s disappointing season continued on Sunday when they went down 2-1 to relegation haunted Rosary Rams despite taking a fifth minute lead through Lee Barrett. Hethersett then failed to stamp their authority on the game and paid the penalty as Rosary scored twice in a four minute period in the first half. The second half remained goalless with a solid Rosary back four in uncompromising form, tackling like tigers and thumping the ball long at every opportunity in order to cut the pressure exerted by the home team. Hethersett mounted wave after wave of attack after the break but squandered the chances that came their way. In a hectic ending Rosary had two players booked and one sent off for abuse to the linesman. Hethersett have fallen away badly after winning their opening five league games. They still need points of they are not to be sucked down into a relegation battle. This week they take on bottom side Prince of Denmark at Rackheath (10.30 a.m).

Hethersett Athletic Reserves found the going tough at home to Earlham United and went down 4-0. This Sunday they visit Costessey Reserves. Hethersett Athletic A were without a game at the weekend. This Sunday they are home to Freethorpe (Memorial Field 10.30 a.m).

Hethersett Athletic Ladies lead at the top of the Eastern Region Premier Division has been cut to 10 points.

Without a game at the weekend, Hethersett could only watch as fellow title contenders Norwich City beat Woodbridge 2-0 to cut the deficit by three points.

Norwich are now 10 points behind Hethersett but still have three games in hand. Nevertheless Hethersett co manager Tom Parke remained upbeat:

“We know that our destiny is in our own hands. If we win our remaining five matches nobody can catch us. Norwich are keeping up the pressure and we cannot afford any slip-ups. We do have the luxury, however, of being able to concentrate on our own performances and not worry what the others are doing, “ he said.

The first of those quintet of vital matches for Hethersett takes place this Sunday when they play their final home league game of the season with the visit of Bedford (Easton College 2 p.m). They will have to be at their best as Bedford are one of only three teams to beat Hethersett in the league – 2-1 in December. .

Meanwhile Hethersett’a chances of a league and cup double are still alive. They have been drawn against Haringey Borough in the semi-finals on March 30th at a neutral venue to be decided. The other semi-final will be between Norwich City and Barking.

Latest positions in the Eastern Region Premier Division are:

	P	W	D	L	F	A	pts
Hethersett Athletic	17	13	1	3	57	17	40
Norwich City	14	9	3	2	40	9	30
Peterborough	14	8	2	4	36	18	26
Woodbridge Town	16	8	2	6	27	24	26
Haringey Borough	15	7	4	4	37	35	25
Cambridge University	15	6	1	8	20	34	19
Bedford Ladies	12	5	3	4	28	29	18
Cambridge United	16	5	2	9	24	37	17
Barking	17	5	2	10	23	37	17
Dagenham & Redbridge #	17	4	6	7	28	27	15
Haverhill Rovers	17	4	2	11	20	50	14
Royston Town	14	3	2	9	12	35	11

# = Points deducted

Hethersett Athletic Youth – It was a highly disappointing weekend for Hethersett Athletic’s youth teams with only one recording a victory. The Under-16s lost by the only goal of the game at home to Drayton, the Under-14s went down 3-2 at Bressingham with their goals coming from Keeley and Smith, The Under-13s lost by the same score at Aylsham (Bell and Wilcox) and the Under-12s went down 4-1 at home to Taverham with Jamie Miller scoring their goal. The Under-11s lost 7-1 at Attleborough (Page) and the Under-10B side went down 6-2 top Dereham Wanderers Blues with both their goals coming from Joe Barratt. The Under-9s had two games. They were beaten 2-1 by Bressingham (Byatt) but then beat Dereham 2-1 with both goals from Jones. This Sunday The Under-16s are home to Firside (Memorial Playing Field 10.30 a.m), the Under-15s visit Firside, the Under-14s visit Sprowston, the Under-13s are home to Drayton (Old Hall School 10.30 a.m), the Under-12s visit Wymondham United, the Under-11s are home to Rocklands (Old Hall School 2 p.m) and the Under-10B side visit Watton Wanderers. On Saturday the newly formed Under-7s have a friendly at home to Thorpe.

Hethersett Athletic Girls Under-12s came up against a strong Norwich City Canaries side and lost 5-1. It was a keenly contested game that saw Hethersett take an early lead through Sophie Rock. Hethersett struggled to keep up with the high tempo and Norwich went on to score twice to take the lead before half-time Sophie Cooke was injured during the run up to Norwich’s second and had to be substituted. Norwich went into a 3-1 lead and Hethersett took the opportunity to give their substitutes a run out as Norwich ran in two more goals. Norwich were clearly the better side but the scoreline didn’t reflect the effort and attitude shown by the Hethersett players throughout the game. This Saturday the Under-12s are home to Dereham (Easton College 10 a.m). Hethersett have drawn Norwich Canaries in the League Cup with the home leg scheduled for March 29^th and the away leg for April 5^th.

Hethersett Athletic Girls Under-15s were without a game at the weekend. This Saturday they are home to Norman Wanderers (Easton College 10 a.m).