Hethersett Athletic

Hethersett’s dreams of winning the Norwich Sunday League Premier Division for the first time in the club’s history were destroyed as they went down to their second consecutive home defeat.

Needing wins from their last two games to overtake leaders Marlborough, they struggled to come to terms with a determined Acle side.

Hethersett once again failed to take their chances and will have to settle for runners-up spot after a hugely disappointing end to the season.

Hethersett seemed to always be chasing this game. They fell behind to an own goal by Matt Barrett after 14 minutes. Lee Barrett equalised with an astute header 10 minutes later, but once again the Hethersett defence was breeched before half-time.

The second half was always going to be an uphill struggle and solid defending from Acle and squandered chances ultimately cost Hethersett the league title. Hethersett had what looked a cast iron penalty appeal turned down and saw at least two shots cleared off the line.

Ultimately the team’s inability to finish off clear cut chances has cost them the title, but player-manager Ross Potter, who was forced to limp out of the game with an ankle injury, is already planning for next season.

“Last season we finished third, this season second and next season we will be going all out for the title,” he said.

Hethersett Athletic Ladies are closing in on their second trophy of the season.

With the Eastern Region Ladies Division One East already won, they are through to the final of their end of season Round Robin Cup after beating Brentwood 5-3 in the semi-finals.

A hat-trick from club top scorer Nicola Bray and goals from Emily Coates and Jodie Rettie booked their place in the final.

The team will be presented with the League Championship Trophy at the presentation evening for the club’s adult teams at Park Farm Hotel on Friday (May 11^th).Hethersett Athletic Under-9B bagged silverware when they came away from the South Norfolk Youth League finals day with the Under-9s Plate after beating Harling 2-1 in the final. It was an excellent game with all the young Hethersett players doing everything that was asked of them. After a goalless first half, top scorer Lewis Baxter got into the swing of things after the break. He found himself in space after good link up play to fire home the first goal. He doubled Hethersett’s lead when he latched onto a throw in and beat three defenders before slotting home. Harling came back into the game with a late goal following a defensive error, but strong defending saw the final moments pass without too much nailbiting. The youngsters will receive their medals at the league’s presentation event on May 26^th.

It will be Funday Sunday when the youth section of Hethersett Athletic Football Club holds its presentation day at Hethersett Middle School on 20^th May.

It has been a successful season for the club with 11 youth teams covering all ages and both sexes giving competitive soccer every week to over 100 youngsters.

Youth teams have been run at Under-9s (two sides), Under-10s, Under-11s, Under-12s, Under-13s, Under-14s, Under-15s, Under-16s, Girls Under-11s, and Girls Under-15s.

The Girls Under-11 side won the Norfolk Women’s and Girls Under-11 section and the Under-9B side have taken the South Norfolk League Under-9s Plate.

During the funday each team will make their own trophy presentations and there will also be club appearance trophies as well as exhibition football matches and a fete style atmosphere that will include a barbecue and games.

The aims of the funday are to showcase the club’s youth set-up, recognise team and individual achievements, to thank club sponsors, to raise the profile of the club in the local community and to raise funds via a raffle, tombola and other means.

The fun starts at 12.30 p.m and goes on until 5 p.m.