Hethersett Athletic

Hethersett Athletic’s championship aspirations took a hammering as they went down 3-2 at home to lowly Acle in the Norwich Sunday League Premier Division.

It was a hugely disappointing display as Hethersett looked well in control of the match before falling to pieces in the last 20 minutes of the game.

They stay in second place but are now four points behind leaders Marlborough. It always looked like a difficult task for Hethersett who were without a number of key players through injuries and suspension. New signings Gary Smith and Thomas Stearman both made their debuts.

The new look line-up took time to settle and Acle took the lead after just six minutes when poor defending allowed a visiting attacker to nip in.

It took Hethersett 32 minutes of solid endeavour to get back on level terms when John Curtis sprung the offside trap to slot home.

Hethersett took the lead just seconds into the second half when Matt Elwin turned in a pin-point centre from Mark Appleton. That should have been the start of a Hethersett onslaught and they had numerous chances to increase their lead with Matt Steward having a powerful header cleared off the line.

Acle weathered the storm and the match turned in the final 20 minutes that saw the visitors dominate. They equalised after 80 minutes and scored the winner four minutes later.

Hethersett must put the defeat behind them and return to winning ways if they are to stand any chance of taking the title. This Sunday they visit Poringland (10.30).

Hethersett Athletic Reserves visited Bayer and went down 2-0 and Hethersett Athletic A found it hard going at home to Felmingham, going down 5-0.

This Sunday the reserves are home to Wilco Fast Fit (Memorial Field 10.30) and the A team visit ADC Fifers

Hethersett Ladies 6

Haringey Borough 1

Hethersett Ladies gave another impressive performance to open up a four point gap at the top of the Eastern Region Premier Division.

Superb approach work and some clinical finishing after early missed chances, saw the home team dominate for long periods of what should have been a tough game against second in the table Haringey.

Hethersett played with skill and enthusiasm, looking every step champions in waiting. The league season is only halfway through, however, and Hethersett will need to replicate this performance in their remaining 11 league games.

It brought their goal tally to 13 from their last two games and sent out a warning to the other teams in the league that they are the ones to beat.

Hethersett dominated the opening 20 minutes without being able to make their superiority tell. The opening goal came after 23 minutes as Sophie Fuller cleverly volleyed home a centre from Emily Coates. Two goals in two minutes made it 3-0 at half-time. Firstly Fuller pounced on a poor clearance and then Coates made the most of another defensive blunder.

Haringey, who have the reputation of being a strong second half team, piled forward after the break and only solid defensive play from Hethersett, with Jemma Smythe and Logan Shepherd outstanding, kept them out.

Hethersett weathered the storm, however, and substitute Laura Hodgson made it 4-0 with her first goal for the club after 76 minutes. The goals came thick and fast towards the end of the game. Nicola Bray weaved her way through to make it five after 85 minutes. A minute later Haringey pulled a goal back only for Fuller to make it six in injury time as she completed a well deserved hat-trick.

This week the ladies team take a break from league action with a home Norfolk and Suffolk Cup first round match against West Lynn (Eaton College 1.30 p.m). The kick off time has been brought forward to allow for extra-time if necessary. On November 25^th the team round off a very important month with a home game against fellow title contenders Woodbridge Town who are one of only two teams to beat Hethersett this season.

Current Eastern Region Women’s Premier Division Table:

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Ps
Hethersett Athletic	11	8	1	2	40	11	25
Peterborough	10	7	0	3	20	10	21
Haringey Borough	11	6	3	2	29	25	21
Woodbridge Town	11	6	1	4	21	14	19
Norwich City	9	5	3	1	23	6	18
Dagenham and Redbridge	9	2	5	2	20	15	11
Haverhill Rovers	11	3	2	6	17	31	11
Cambridge United	11	3	1	7	19	30	10
Cambridge University	11	3	1	7	15	31	10
Bedford Ladies	9	2	3	4	21	26	9
Barking	9	3	0	6	8	17	9
Royston Town	10	3	0	7	8	25	9

Hethersett Athletic Under-15s made the long trip to play league leaders Winterton and were desperately unlucky to go down 1-0 as their improved form continued. This Sunday Hethersett Athletic Under-16s visit Drayton, the Under-14s visit Rockland, the Under-13s are at Aylsham and the Under-12s are away to Taverham. The Under-11s take on Hellesdon in the League Cup at Old Hall School 2 p.m. The Under-10A team play Rocklands and Taverham at Taverham and the Under-9s visit Old Catton.

Hethersett Under-12s girls returned to winning ways with a good performance against Red Rose Under-12s to win 5-3. Sophie Rock led the way with a hat-trick and other gaos came from Teagan Felknor-Edwards and Danielle Homer. This Saturday the team visit Spixowrth in the league. Hethersett Athletic Under-15 Girls were without a match at the weekend. This Saturday they visit Red Rose Reserves.