Hethersett Athletic

Hethersett Athletic are, like last season, looking closely at other results in the Norwich Sunday League Premier Division, but for very different reasons. Last season they were checking on how their rivals for the title were going on, this it is more the bottom of the league that they are interested in. Three successive defeats have left the club looking anxiously over its shoulders towards the bottom of the league. On Sunday they went down 3-1 at home to Poringland. Once again Hethersett had plenty of the play, but things just aren’t going right for them at the moment as they gave opponents a 3-0 lead for the second consecutive week. Hethersett had the ball in the net twice in the opening half but both efforts were ruled out for offside. After the break Hethersett were all too often caught in possession and Poringland capitalised to score after 56, 70 and 78 minutes. Hethersett failed to make the best of their pace up front and it was left to defender Matt Steward to pull a goal back with a fine header from a free kick just two minutes from time. By then it was too little, too late and Hethersett will have a nervous end to the season after a blistering start that saw them win their opening five matches. Luckily on Sunday most of the teams below them also lost and the side are confident of avoiding the drop but still need points to ensure safety. The team have a number of fixture changes over the coming weeks. Their next match will be away to The Grove on 23^rd March and this will be followed by a home game against Quebec Rovers on March 30^th and a visit to Delaneys on 6^th April. Their only remaining fixture is a home game against Prince of Denmark on a date still to be set.

Hethersett Athletic Reserves were without a game at the weekend, giving Danny Holman, Will Cook and Lewis Allen the chance to step up for first team action. This Sunday they continue their battle against relegation with a visit to bottom club Wilco Fast Fit knowing that victory is essential.

Hethersett Athletic A hoisted themselves out of the bottom two in Division 4B of the Norwich Sunday league with a stunning 5-1 demolition of third placed Dynamo Denmark. It was a complete reversal of form for Hethersett after losing to Dynamo in the league and cup earlier in the season. The young Hethersett team are coming of age and won this game thanks to two goals from George Newberry and Adam Waters and one from Jack Raven. The team will be hoping to continue their excellent form when they visit Freethorpe on Sunday.

Cambridge University 0

Hethersett Athletic Ladies 0

Hethersett Ladies will view this as two points squandered as the race for the Eastern Region Premier Division championship hots up.

Whilst Hethersett were firing blanks against a strong University team, title rivals Norwich City were recording a comfortable 4-1 victory over Cambridge United to move within 11 points of the village side with four games in hand.

Going into the match Hethersett knew that maximum points from their final four games would ensure them of the title and promotion. Now Norwich have the opportunity to wipe out their deficit.

Hethersett will be left to concentrate on winning their final three away games and hoping that Norwich slip up in their seven match run-in.

Cambridge University have proved to be a bogey team to Hethersett this season with the visitors taking just one point from their two league games and failing to score a single goal. University are one of only three teams to have beaten Hethersett in the league this season and one of only three to have stopped their usually potent strikeforce from scoring.

It was a tight game with chances at a premium, although the best fell to Hethersett who hit the bar with one effort and Jemma Smythe had a late late header cleared off the line. Hethersett are without a game this weekend.

Current positions in the Eastern Region Premier Division are:

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Ps
Hethersett Athletic	19	14	2	3	59	17	44
Norwich City	15	10	3	2	44	10	33
Peterborough	16	9	2	5	39	21	29
Haringey Borough	17	8	5	4	41	38	29
Woodbridge Town	18	9	2	7	32	29	29
Cambridge University	17	7	2	8	21	34	23
Bedford Ladies	14	5	4	5	30	33	19
Dagenham & Redbridge #	19	5	6	8	34	30	18
Barking	18	5	2	11	24	39	17
Cambridge United	17	5	2	10	25	41	17
Haverhill Rovers	18	5	2	11	21	50	17
Royston Town	16	3	2	11	12	40	11

# = Points deducted

Hethersett Athletic Under-15s were at home to Old Catton and the game started with both teams playing good football. Hethersett began to apply more pressure, seeing more of the ball and creating the better chances. Their first goal came when a neat one-two saw Andy Smith slot the ball in at the far post. Hethersett continued to play well keeping the Catton ‘keeper busy and the second goal came after 30 minutes when a free kick was awarded at the side of the 18 yard area. Jamie Crowe stepped up to power in off the inside of the far post with a well placed shot that has become his trademark. The first half ended 2-0 with some excellent football being played. The second half saw Catton come out fighting and applying some good pressure. Hethersett responded and held their lines well soaking up the attacks and breaking away when they had the chance. There were less chances in the early part of the second half until Catton broke down the wing with a well weighted cross. Despite being forced wide the Catton player sent a shot into the top corner. Both teams continued to apply pressure but the football became untidy and several chances were missed. Nevertheless it was another well disciplined performance from Hethersett and another two points. Man of the match was Luke Giles. This week the team are home to Wymondham Youth (Memorial Playing Field 10.30 a.m).

Hethersett Athletic Under-16s scored a fine 4-0 victory over Heigham Park with two goals for Henry Dyson and one each from Ryan O’Sullivan and Mayes. This Sunday the team visit Sprowston ahead of taking part in the Wenroij Holland Easter Open tournament over the weekend of March 22^nd/23^rd.

Hethersett Athletic Under-14s visited Dereham and went down 6-2 (Ford, M. Edwards), the Under-13s hosted Attleborough and won 2-1 (Bell, Dix), but the Under-12s went down to the odd goal of five at Blofield (Foster, Greengrass), The Under-11s lost 1-0 at home to Attleborough and the Under-10B team went down 6-1 at Wymondham (Joe Barratt). The Under-10A side drew 1-1 with Scole (Baxter) but went down 3-0 against Sprowston. This Sunday the Under-14s are home to Dereham (Old Hall School 10.30 a.m), the Under-12s visit Watton, the Under-10A side play Old Catton at Sprowston and the Under-10B side play Litcham at Little Melton School.

Hethersett Athletic Girls Under-15s took a highly prized point from their home match against Norwich City Yellows thanks to a 2-2 draw with their goals coming from Elizabeth Street and Charlotte Swann. It was only the second point of the season, but the team continues to improve and show commitment. This week the team make the long journey to Clenchwarton.

Hethersett Athletic Girls Under-12s look certain to finish the season in third place after a good performance that saw them deservedly beat Spixworth 2-0. With just one league game to go, Hethersett will be pleased with third place, having been beaten by the top two Norwich and Dereham every time they have played them. Overall, despite not reaching the dizzy heights of the previous season’s championship win, the girls have continued to improve and have the belief that they can challenge for honours next season at Under-13 level. Teagan Felknor-Edwards was playing her final league game for the club before returning to America and she was made captain for the day and gave a player of the match performance that included a fourth minute goal. A good all round player she will be greatly missed, but still has a cup competition to play in. Hethersett’s other goal came from top scorer Sophie Rock. This Saturday the team wrap up their league programme with a home match against Blofield (Easton College 10 a.m).