SHERINGHAM U16’s first game in a month was against St Andrews who are in a similar position to them in the league. The game got off to a flowing start with both teams sharing possession and both teams playing football. Will Parker had to go in goal and excelled, pulling of some fine saves to keep St Andrews out. Jacob Knowles was moved up front, with his pace being utilised to keep St Andrews’ defenders on their toes. St Andrews made it 1-0 when they cut in from the right and managed to square the ball across the penalty area to fire in. Sheringham, spurred on by this, soon made it 1-1 when Harry Carrington burst down the right, fired the ball across the box and after some ping-pong, Harry Stamatov put it in the back of the net. At half time it was 1-1.

The second half started similarly to the first but with St Andrews having the best of the early chances, Josh Dyde was in excellent form at the centre of defence, with Tommy Bywater, Alistair Burghall and Cameron Humphrey putting in good displays alongside him. Jodi Norris was into everything in midfield with Shane Cox and Harry Stamatov breaking up a lot of St Andrews’ forward moves. St Andrews made it 1-2 when again from the right they managed to get the ball across the box for the striker to flick the ball beyond Parker. Jacob Knowles was switched left with Norris going up top with Tom Todd. Straight away, Knowles burst down the left wing, cut the ball back from the by-line for Toddy to make it 2-2. The Warriors had their chance to win the game when Harry Carrington latched onto a ball from Parker, he left the defenders for dead but his shot was unlucky to hit the post to deny Sheringham the win, the match finished 2-2.

EAST COAST U10 visited Stalham and returned home with a 3-1 victory. Early exchanges were even, EC had opportunities that either went wide or were saved but Stalham opened the scoring. EC started to play football and equalised when Simmons passed to Porter-Davies who ran with the ball and put it in the back of the net from just inside the box, after a one-two with Copeman. EC went ahead when Copeman’s corner fell to Tucker, who struck the ball with style from the back of the box into the top corner.

The second half got off to a flyer when Jarvis was released down the left from the kick-off, beat his man to get to the by-line and crossed for Tucker to head into the roof of the net. EC began to run the game with Macmillan battling hard and holding the ball up well to bring others into play. Simmons went on a run from the halfway line and had a chance which was saved. Any Stalham attacks were broken up by the reliable Long and Redgrave who brought the ball into midfield. Head in goal had a quiet game with little to do between the sticks. The full-time score was 1-3.

EAST COAST WARRIORS U9 visited Reepham and notched up a 9-1 victory against an improved home team who never gave up. The home keeper had an outstanding match to keep the scores down despite persistent attacks. Armstrong was the first to get on the score-sheet with a nifty number that tricked the keeper and with Lees switching to Hammond whose shot came off the woodwork the second quickly followed. Perry delivered a deadly corner that landed with Barrell, who fired home the third and with Buck continuing to hassle, his shot had to be cleared off the line by a Reepham defender. Barrell, ever eager, delivered a punishing strike giving EC their fourth, then Perry’s attack sealed the fifth as the whistle blew for half-time.

The second half saw a turn of events when a lucky chance for Reepham enabled them to net their first against EC. But further goals came from EC when Lambert’s shot hit the woodwork then deflected off a Reepham player giving EC their sixth and Lawes followed up with an impressive long range shot making it seven. Lambert thundered home his own goal making it eight then followed Richardson’s magic footwork netting the ninth.

NORTH WALSHAM U14 beat Attleborough 5-1. An early goal by Jackson, after play was allowed to continue from an Attleborough handball on the line, separated the teams in the early part of the first half. North Walsham shaded the better of the attacking play in an evenly matched game. Jackson later had a great shot come back off the bar. Early in the second half, Jackson struck again with a well finished chip off the keeper, and added a third for his hat-trick, with a clever header over the on-rushing keeper. A similar ball over the top was again prodded past the out-rushing keeper by Jackson for a fourth. Attleborough pulled one back when a free-kick from the halfway line was headed past the North Walsham keeper. Attleborough exerted some pressure, but Taylor made the result safe with a well taken strike when he could have gone down in the penalty area for a penalty.

Hat-trick hero: Jackson with four goals.

NORTH WALSHAM ANGELS U14 girls visited Mulbarton Belles with a much depleted squad due to illness and late call-offs. In fact, both sides started the match with only seven players. With Emily in goal, Jess F, Izzy and Lucy switched between defence and midfield, Robyn captained the team and partnered Zoe and Ellie in midfield and attack. Zoe scored an early goal and within ten minutes Ellie and Robyn had made it 3-0. Mulbarton brought on another player but Ellie scored again for a 4-0 half-time lead. In the second period, Ellie completed a hat-trick and Robyn scored her second for a final score of 6-0. Izzy went in goal for the second part of the second half. The match was played in an excellent spirit throughout. The home side voted Zoe as Angels’ player-of-the-match and the visitors nominated the Belles’ keeper.

CROMER YOUTH U12 entertained East Coast at home and romped to a 2-1 victory. Dominant from the start, Cromer passed the ball around well and did everything but score in an entertaining first half which somehow remained goalless, much to the visitors’ relief. Cromer stepped up a gear in the second half and were soon handed the initiative when a blatant handball resulted in a Cromer penalty. Zelos, cool as a cucumber, slotted the ball into the bottom corner, 1-0. Minutes later, Foulser ghosted past the visitors’ defence to deliver an inch perfect cross the Sheringham defence failed to deal with, spooning it into their own net to put Cromer 2-0 up. The away team scrambled a goal late on, but in the end, Cromer prevailed and picked-up three well-earned points to remain top of the league.