Hethersett Athletic

Hethersett Athletic deservedly reached the second round of the Norfolk Senior Sunday Cup with a stunning comeback after being two goals down at half-time in their first ever match at Easton College.

This first round replay was almost exciting as the first match at Gorleston when Hethersett had squandered a 2-0 half-time lead and had to be content with a replay.

This time it was Gorleston who built up a 2-0 interval lead only to see Hethersett stage a remarkable second half comeback.

On this occasion, once they had got their noses in front, Hethersett were in no mood for giving away a late equaliser and finished the stronger of two very good sides.

Hethersett were forced to make a number of changes due to injury and unavailability with Dean Fitzgerald replacing Danny Self in midfield and Sam Wenham returning to the side after recovering from illness.

Hethersett arguably had the better of the first half but still went in two goals down after defensive lapses allowed Gorleston to score after 37 and 47 minutes. Earlier Mark Appleton had a first minute goal disallowed for offside. Appleton also had a shot saved by the goalkeeper's legs after being put clean through and Dean Fitzgerald had an effort tipped over the bar.

Despite being two down, Hethersett always looked capable of coming back and were the much stronger outfit after the break. It took just two minutes for them to pull a goal back when Paul Franklin shot home with the ball taking a deflection. Hethersett continued to press forward and the equaliser came after 68 minutes when Ben Player hammered home with the ball coming down off the underside of the bar. Both referee and linesman adjudged it to have crossed the line.

The home side were in no mood to let the tie slip again and Mark Appleton gave them the lead with what turned out to be the winner 15 minutes from the end. Gorleston failed to clear after a bout of head tennis in their area and Appleton pounced.

Gorleston tried to mount attacks towards the end but Hethersett held on strongly and finished the better team to earn another difficult away tie at Bohemians of Great Yarmouth in the second round. They will be hoping to avenge a defeat at the hands of Bohemians in the competition two seasons ago.

Hethersett Reserves visited Ex Mile Cross and were beaten 4-1 with their only goal coming from Andrew Milne. The A team had a solid 3-2 home victory over Costessey Reserves with the goals coming from the Allen brothers – two for Lewis and one for Scott.

Hethersett Athletic Ladies made it three league wins out of three with a superb display to beat King’s Lynn 3-0 with two goals from Nicola Stolworthy and a third from Coates.

The Under-16s beat Costessey 2-1 (Fisher and Marshall) and the Under-15 girls defeated Toftwood 3-0 with goals from Broom, Hyam and Fisher. Other club results were:

Wymondham 6, Under-14s 1; Under-13s 2, Bressingham 5; Under-12s 1, Drayton 6; Under-9A 1, Sprowston 1; Under-9A 3, Blofield 0; Dereham 3, Under-9B 1.

This Sunday the Men’s First Team visit Acle Sunday; the Men’s Reserves are home to Bayer, the A team visit Spixworth and the Ladies are away to White Horse Celtic.

The Under-15s visit St Andrew’s, the Under-14s are home to Attleborough, the Under-13s and Under-12s visit St Andrew’s, the Under-11s are home to Norwich United and the Under-10s play Jex and Firside at Firside.