Hethersett Athletic

The local side have proved with friendly victories over both Lincoln and Palace that they can compete against some of the best women’s players in the country. The Palace team was a strong mix of first teamers and reserve players and Hethersett played some stunning football.

The match was played at Thorpe High School on their third generation pitch which allowed plenty of flowing football. 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.

Nineteen teams representing top Norwich Sunday League clubs took part in the annual Hethersett Athletic five-a-side soccer tournament on the Memorial Field.

Winners from the past two seasons, Norman Wanderers, once again made the final but this year came off second best as they were beaten 3-0 by AFC Wanderers.

The group stages of the competition provided plenty of action and goals with the top two sides going forward to the quarter-finals where Norman Wanderers C beat Quebec Rovers A 3-1, Norman Wanderers B beat Wymondham Rangers A 5-0, Eaton Beehive beat Quebec Rovers B 2-1 and AFC Wanderers A beat Hethersett Athletic A 2-0.

In the semi-finals, AFC Wanderers A beat Norman Wanderers C 5-1 and Norman Wanderers B beat Eaton Beehive 3-0.

The event was organised by Hethersett Athletic first team manager Ross Potter and a band of club helpers and sponsored by Arkscape Landscaping and Gardening Services and Waitrose.

Proceeds from the event, which is now one of the biggest adult five-a-sides in the county, will go towards the club’s first team funds as they prepare for a new season in the Premier Division of the Norwich Sunday League.