Hethersett Athletic

Hethersett Athletic clawed their way back to the top of the Norwich Sunday League Premier Division with a vital 3-2 victory against fellow contenders and title holders Marlborough.

It was a game packed full of drama with Hethersett reduced to 10 men after 72 minutes when player-manager Ross Potter was rather harshly sent off for what the referee deemed to be illegal use of his elbow.

There was plenty of passion as both teams went in search of a win that would take them top of the table. Hethersett were keen to banish the memory of a very poor display in their previous league game against Norman Wanderers.

Hethersett welcomed back Sam Wenham after injury and he provided the perfect outlet wide on the left during a cut and thrust first half where chances were at a premium.

The visitors took the lead after 26 minutes, however, when good work down the left set up Lee Barrett who fired home hard and low with his shot taking a deflection.

Hethersett looked comfortable at that point, but Marlborough equalised three minutes before the break when hesitancy in the Hethersett defence allowed a player to steal in.

In many ways the second half was a mirror image of the first with Hethersett regaining the lead on 62 minutes. Lee Barrett worked his way into the area only to be pulled down and Danny Self converted the resulting penalty.

Potter’s sending off hampered Hethersett and it was no great surprise when Marlborough pulled level again when a low cross from the right was converted at the back post to make it 2-2.

Hethersett made a number of substitutions and could have been excused for trying to hold on for a point, but Danny Self had other ideas and fired home the winner after 88 minutes after a surging run. The visitors had to endure five minutes of added time but this time the defence held firm for what could prove to be a vital win which puts them back on top of the league with games in hand on all their main rivals.

This week Hethersett are home to Eaton Beehive (Easton College 10.30 a.m). Eaton are currently bottom of the division and must win this game to stand any chance of staying up. Hethersett have already lost to them in the opening game of the season and will be desperate not to suffer a repeat defeat.

Hethersett Athletic Reserves still have a relegation fight on their hands after going down 5-0 at home to Champion Athletic. This Sunday they are home to Earlham United (Memorial Field 10.30 a.m)

Hethersett Athletic A’s poor run of form continued as they went down 2-1 at Norfolk County Council with their goal coming from top scorer Paul Martin. This Sunday they are home to Spixworth (Memorial Field 10.30 a.m).

Hethersett Athletic Ladies 0

Norwich City Ladies 1

Hethersett Ladies’ dreams of a Norfolk and Suffolk Cup Final against Ipswich Town were destroyed on Sunday by a single goal after 65 minutes in a highly competitive match at Easton College.

It took a simple but brilliant goal to beat the home side who have enjoyed an excellent season – winning the Eastern Region Women’s League Division One East title and reaching the quarter-finals of the League Cup and the semi-finals of the county cup.

Hethersett had the best of the first half with the advantage of a strong breeze. Both sides had chances but there were no goals.

After the break Norwich, who are two leagues above Hethersett, gained in strength and came back into the match and tested the strong Hethersett defence on a number of occasions.

After 60 minutes Norwich struck the crossbar with a fierce drive and five minutes later scored the only goal of the game. A free kick deep on the right was met on the volley and sailed into the top of the Hethersett net.

Hethersett battled hard after the goal but the visitors’ defence gained in confidence and Athletic badly missed cup tied striker Nicola Bray. The experience will stand the team in good stead for next season when they will be playing in the Premier Division of the Eastern Region League.

This Sunday Hethersett Ladies are without a game. They finish their league campaign with a visit to Chelmsford on April 8^th and then start a round robin league cup competition where they will play Barchester United away on April 15^th, King’s Lynn home on the 22^nd and Mulbarton Belles home on the 29^th.

Hethersett Athletic Under-16s hit form to beat Watton 4-3 away with goals from Devlin, Marshall, Stickland and an own goal.

The Under-12s had a comfortable 4-0 win at Mulbarton with two goals each from Spalding and Wilcox. The Under-14s lost 2-1 at Mulbarton (Chambers), the Under-13s went down 3-0 at home to Sprowston, the Under-11s visited Bressingham and lost 6-1 (Foster), the Under-10s went down 2-0 at Mattishall and the Under-9B team lost a 10 goal thriller 6-4 at home to Toftwood (Rix 2, Jessop and Julian).

This week the Under-16s are home to Jex (Memorial Field 2 p.m), the Under-15s visit Wymondham, the Under-11s are home to Hellesdon (Old Hall School 2 p.m), the Under-9A team play Hellesdon and Taverham at Taverham and the Under-9B team visit Mundford.

The Girls Under-15s team have a home match at Spooner Row on Wednesday 4^th April (kick off time to be decided).