Hethersett Athletic

Aiming to progress to the semi-finals and become giantkillers at the same time, Hethersett had numerous chances to win the tie and had three shots cleared off the line as their Premier Division opponents desperately hung on in the second half.

But even extra-time couldn’t separate the teams as the game went to the lottery of penalties which produced more major drama before the visitors went through.

There was little hint of the excitement to come when Cambridge opened the scoring after just five minutes when a long shot caught in the wind and sailed into the top of the Hethersett net.

Hethersett gradually clawed their way back into the game and deservedly equalised after 32 minutes when top scorer Nicola Bray beat the defence to a through ball and her shot just had enough power.

Hethersett lost Jodie Allard with a broken wrist after a heavy fall, but they continued to take the game to opponents from a league higher. The home side dominated the second half but missed numerous chances and the game moved into extra-time.

Both teams had chances to win the tie with Cambridge hitting the bar and Hethersett looking dangerous on the break, but there were no further goals and the tie moved into penalties.

Both teams scored with their first four efforts with Nicola Stolworthy, Jodie Rettie, Jemma Smythe and Emma Brooks all on target. The real drama began when Smythe’s initial penalty was saved but the Cambridge goalkeeper was adjudged to have moved off her line. In an unsavoury incident the Cambridge keeper was sent off for foul and abusive language to the referee. Cambridge scored with their fifth effort before the luckless Bray put Hethersett’s fifth penalty wide. It was a disappointing end to the match for Hethersett’s top scorer who has contributed so much to the team’s success this season.

After the match Hethersett were able to reflect on the fact that they had competed on equal terms with the top team in the Premier Division of the Eastern Region Women’s League – a league that Athletic will be playing in next year. They were also left to look forward to another mouth-watering cup tie on Sunday when they take on Norwich City Racers in the semi-finals of the Norfolk and Suffolk Cup (Easton College, 2 p.m).

Norman Wanderers 5

Hethersett Athletic 1

Hethersett Athletic's title hopes suffered a serious setback on Sunday when they went down 5-1 at Norman Wanderers.

With Delaneys and Marlborough both winning, the result sees Athletic drop from top to fourth place.

Missed chances and threadbare defending saw Hethersett crash to their biggest defeat of the season against second-placed Norman.

Now the team have to pick themselves up for two vital games in the next couple of weeks. This Sunday sees them home to Delaneys (Easton College 10.30 a.m) and the following week they visit Marlborough. If the team are to be serious title challengers they will need a minimum of four points from those two games.

"We are hoping the defeat at Norman was just one of those games. We must start again on Sunday and make sure we don't play as badly," said player-manager Ross Potter.

Hethersett had the majority of the territorial advantage throughout the game, but were caught on the break time after time. The visitors looked capable of scoring in the opening half hour and Lee Barrett wasted a wonderful chance when he rounded the 'keeper but shot into the side netting. Then John Curtis saw a goalbound effort turned over the bar by a team-mate. It was just one of those days.

Norman took the lead after 35 minutes when the Hethersett defence failed to clear danger and the home side lobbed the ball home from distance. Three minutes from half-time it was 2-0 when a Norman player smashed home a free-kick from 25 yards.

Hethersett have hit back on numerous occasions this season from being two goals down, but this time it wasn't to be. Norman continued to grow in confidence and made it 3-0 after 75 minutes when a forward was brought down by Chris Bolderstone and the home side scored with the resulting penalty.

Four minutes later Norman added a fourth when Matt Barrett and Chris Bolderstone got into a tangle with the former heading into his own net.

Hethersett scored a consolation goal after 83 minutes when Danny Self scored with a trademark free-kick but it was too little too late and Norman came back again to make it 5-1. Hethersett were awarded a penalty in injury time but Scott Woodcock's kick was comfortably saved.

After winning 15-0 the previous week, Hethersett Athletic Reserves were brought back to earth with a bump as they went down 7-1 at home to Salhouse with their only goal coming from Ashley Burton. This Sunday Reserves have a difficult task when they take on free-scoring Ex Mile Cross at the Memorial Playing Field (10.30 a.m).

Hethersett Athletic A visit North Walsham Warriers on Sunday.

Hethersett Athletic Under-9s went on a goal spree at the weekend with a 9-0 drubbing of Mulbarton and a 4-0 win over Norman.

The 9-0 win over Malbarton featured hat-tricks for Lewis Baxter and Joe Barratt, two for Guy Peres and one for Conrad Doggett. Scorers against Norman were Denny, Peres, Doggett and Gray.

Athletic Under-16s lost 3-1 at Scole (Cook), the Under-15s lost at Spixworth (Ryan O’Sullivan), the Under-14s beat Mulbarton 2-1 (Chambers, Cooper), the Under-13s went down 2-1 to Lakeford (Smith).

This Sunday the Under-16s are home to Attleborough (Memorial Field 2 p.m), the Under-15s are home to Sprowston (Memorial Field 10.30 a.m), the Under-14s are home to Firside (Old Hall School 10.30), the Under-13s are home to Norman (Old Hall School 2 p.m), the Under-11s visit Norwich United and the Under-9B team are home to Harling (Little Melton School).