HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U14 GIRLS put in one of their best performances ever and were unlucky to lose 5-4 to league leaders Norwich City, having been 4-2 up at half-time.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U14 GIRLS put in one of their best performances ever and were unlucky to lose 5-4 to league leaders Norwich City, having been 4-2 up at half-time. Sophie Rock scored a hat-trick and the other came from Ella Stephenson. Hethersett only conceded the winning goal in the last minute. Hethersett gave Norwich the 'customary' early lead within five minutes. This proved the catalyst for Hethersett who then went on to deliver a first half to be proud of with excellent passing football which brushed the opposition aside and saw Sophie Rock bag a hat-trick, each goal a culmination of some excellent team play, involving several players, and top class finishing. Ella Stephenson scored from a narrow angle to give Hethersett a thoroughly deserved 4-2 lead. Hethersett started brightly and went close to adding a fifth before the cruel blow of an own goal lifted the Norwich side. Norwich stepped up the pressure and forced an equalizer and then scored the winner seven minutes from time. Nevertheless it was a Hethersett performance to be proud of.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U16 had a good 5-2 win over Mattishall with Jonathan Bailey scoring two and others coming from Darren Ford, Jake Keeley and an own goal. Hethersett started very well and scored an early goal. This gave them confidence and it became a 4-0 lead. Towards the end of the game they gave away a couple of sloppy goals but it was still a good performance. The fifth Hethersett score was an own goal.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U15 lost 3-1 at Attleborough with their goal coming from Alfie Smith. A good first half saw Hethersett weather the pressure from Attleborough with good defensive and midfield work. Hethersett chances were few and it was probably a surprise when Alfie found himself one to one with the opposition keeper; an excellent finish gave Hethersett the advantage at half-time. In the second half Hethersett's discipline and resolve evaporated. Poor marking, passing and tackling undid all the good work and Attleborough won the game.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U14 had a field day with a 9-1 win at home to Firside. Will Foster hit another five to take his total for the season to 21. Harrison Cheal-Ferris hit two, Tom McDonagh and an own goal completed the scoring.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U12 lost 5-0 at Taverham.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U11 lost 3-2 to Taverham (Tyler White and Harry Denny). Hethersett were missing three key players and, as a consequence did not perform to their best. The game itself was an even contest with both teams creating chances. Taverham went into the lead 1-0 up due to poor defending. Taverham opened up a two-goal lead shortly into the second half but Hethersett kept going and pulled a goal back with a well-taken shot from Harry Denny. Taverham scored a third goal and Tyler White made it 3-2 with five minutes to go but they couldn't equalise although Daniel Mehtab went close. Harry Jones and Tyler White had fine games but MoM was Joe Moorhouse who was solid in defence.

Hethersett Athletic U10 lost 2-1 to Blofield (Ben Watson) and 1-0 to Toftwood. Hethersett started against Blofield in positive fashion and this paid off with a great goal from Ben Watson from long range. Oli Hudson Church also hit the bar from a cracking shot from the right. Hethersett kept the lead until half-time. In the second half Blofield, who started the day second in the league, passed the ball well and scored twice to make the final score 2-1. Hethersett battled hard against Toftwood and were unlucky to go in 1-0 down at half-time after the defence failed to clear the ball to allow a Toftwood attacker to score from close range. Taylor Morris had great game, pulling off some fine saves. Harrison Alborough put in a fine display in defence winning all his tackles. Hethersett went close to equalising on a number of occasions.

ATTLEBOROUGH TOWN U10 played Heigham Park and started strongly, with Alfie volleying home to open the scoring. They then lost their composure and eventually allowed Heigham to equalise before the break. The second half saw a much stronger performance from Boro, with Ryan expertly heading a second from an Alfie corner. Great pressure and passing play followed, with Ricky constantly threatening down the right. Boro were duly rewarded with two more great goals from Jordan, one of which lobbed the keeper perfectly. Final score 4-1 to Attleborough.

ATTLEBOROUGH TOWN U10 played away to a good Wymondham side and a tough game ensued. Working hard, Boro had the greater possession and a fine piece of passing work between Ricky, Sheldon and Jordan finished back with Ricky who fired home for 1-0. Although they continued to pressure the opposition, the Blues could not add to their tally and this continued into the second half. Following a mel�e in the Boro box, where two boys went down with head injuries, Wymondham were awarded a penalty for hand-ball. This was put wide and the game continued in a similar way until the final whistle. Final score 1-0 to Attleborough.

ATTLEBOROUGH U14 faced Holt United at home on Sunday. Boro's James Haylock opened the scoring when he received a superb cross from fellow striker Curtis Bolton, shortly after Jack Binks extended the lead to 2-0. Finding themselves behind Holt stepped up a gear whilst Boro slipped into neutral and allowed the visitors to equalise before half-time. Boro regained their lead early in the second half courtesy of another goal from Binks, but again Holt hit back and secured a 5-3 victory following a penalty and a closing goal. MoM: scorer Jack Binks and defender Liam Darkins worthy of a mention.

Hethersett U10 lost to Blofield U10 2-1. Hethersett started the game very positively, attacking and pushing forward, which paid off with a great goal from Ben Watson from long range. Oli also hit the bar with a cracking shot. Hethersett kept the lead until half-time. In the second half, Blofield (who are second in the league) passed the ball well and scored twice for a 2-1 final score.

HETHERSETT U10 battled hard against Toftwood and were unlucky to go in 1-0 down at half-time after the defence failed to clear the ball, allowing a Toftwood attacker to score from close range. Taylor Morris had great game in goal, pulling off some fine saves and Harrison Alborough put in a good display in defence, winning all his tackles. Oli, Liam and Ben all came close, but unfortunately luck was against Hethersett and Toftwood hung on to take the match 1-0.

HETHERSETT U12 travelled to Taverham and lost 5-0. Taverham set off at a fast and furious pace and within seven minutes were two goals up. Hethersett then started to fight back, but goals were proving elusive, despite some great attempts from Ashley Gray, Stephen Jessop, Connor Stearman and Lewis Baxter. Just on half-time Taverham scored their third. In the second half, both teams had an equal share of play, but then Taverham went further ahead with a shot from 20 yards and added a fifth late on. Next, Hethersett host Sprowston.

MULBARTON U16B entertained Drayton and striker Ben G plundered five goals in a convincing 6-3 victory for the Wanderers. Drayton took the lead courtesy of the home sides hesitation in defence. Mulbarton then evened it up, Adam W supplying a good corner and Jim D finishing with style. From a good strike Drayton went ahead but Mulbarton replied with two goals before half-time, going in at the break 3-2 up. Second half a good hard-working performance kept the Wanderers in control of the game, Tooky always looking sharp. Opportunities were created and Ben G took full advantage in a professional manner gaining himself a well-deserved MoM award.

WYMONDHAM TOWN UNITED U10 faced Attleborough on a windy Ketts Park last Sunday. United's passing play and tight control tested the visitors in the first half but some strong defending prevented them breaking through. Neither side was able to find an opening until late in the half when a speculative high kick from long range found the back of the Wymondham net. Attleborough found a way through the united defence again at the end of the half but good positional play from keeper Antony Walshe kept the score 1-0 at half-time. The second half saw Attleborough coming out determined to create a result. Good defending by David and some brave goalkeeping by Walshe frustrated Attleborough but Wymondham found it difficult to find their game in the face of such determined opposition. The referee allowed the game to flow without interruption and Wymondham somehow managed to work the ball forward with some good approach play by the United defence and some strong resistance by the United attack. A scramble in the Attleborough goalmouth produced a clash of heads and a deliberate hand-ball. The resulting penalty went just the wrong side of a post and the match ended 1-0. MoM: David Lambert.

WYMONDHAM TOWN UNITED U10 recovered from the contest against Attleborough to take on Heigham Park. Tai Sayers showed his dribbling skills with a solo run that was intercepted by the last defender. Shortly afterwards captain Jo Andrews kicked a high long- range shot that found the back of net to make it 1-0. Heigham were given plenty to do in defence by Wymondham, good passing play created several chances, the closest being when Antony Animba hit a post and Jo Blaxall hit the bar. Marland came on for Antony A and David replaced George. A drop-kick from keeper Walshe bounced over the defenders' heads and was picked up by Barsby in the penalty area. Barsby drilled the ball through the keeper's legs to make it 2-0. The second half again saw United create space for themselves. A throw-in was headed on into the penalty area by Luke M and taken by Marland B who turned and found the back of the net with a left-footed strike. The restart saw Wymondham win possession and Tai Sayers again showed his dribbling skill when received a pass in his own half, dribbled around several players and this time, finished his run with a well-taken solo goal. Heigham answered by putting some pressure on the Wymondham goal, a long range shot going just wide. Shortly afterwards a through ball from the Heigham midfield found two Heigham forwards with one man to beat. Keeper Walshe came off his line but the ball fell to the spare man and he slotted it away to make the final score 4-1 to United. MoM: Marland Barsby.

WYMONDHAM U11 played Firside at Ketts Park on Sunday. Firside applied early pressure to the Wymondham defence. Wymondham made it through the first defensive minutes of the match and started to find their feet. Matthew Thurston had one of the best first half shots at goal and was unlucky not to net. Wymondham's Lewis Chalcraft and Matthew Thurston were working well up front for Wymondham working the ball through the Firside defence producing a number of shots. From the start of the second half Firside increased the pressure on the Wymondham defence, Isaac Brooke, Robert Smith, Casey Barrett and John Moore did a competent job keeping the Firside attacks at bay. John Moore had one of the best opportunities of the second half getting to one of the few corners and Jacob Mitchell made a couple of saves. Both teams were working very hard to get the upper hand and the game was desperate for a goal, unfortunately Firside scored the only goal of the match five minutes from the end of the game. Final score Wymondham 0, Firside 1.

WYMONDHAM TOWN UNITED U12 took the lead when Chris darted onto a long kick from James to cleverly guide the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net. Toftwood equalised soon after but Tom W put WTU back in front when his long-range effort deceived the keeper and bounced into an unguarded goal. WTU continued to show great spirit and the midfield quartet of Daniel, Michael, Tom F and Luke L all played their part in driving the Wymondham team forward. Bradley made a number of important challenges to ensure the Wymondham did not concede in open play, however, Toftwood again equalised from a corner which the boys were unable to clear and the half ended 2-2. WTU then weathered substantial pressure as Toftwood missed a number of good opportunities only for Lewis to break forward for WTU and with a number of neat turns he squeezed a curling shot past the keeper and into the net to Wymondham the lead again. WTU defended gallantly as Matthew, Jamie and Tom made numerous last ditch tackles whilst Luke W and Jordan made important contributions as they joined the match. Late on Toftwood did score an equaliser to make the score 3-3. This was an excellent effort from the Wymondham players and all should be proud of their contributions. PoM: James, brilliant second-half saves and great distance from kicks against a strong wind.

WYMONDHAM TOWN UNITED U14 played against second-placed Norwich United. Wymondham went straight on the attack with Ross Lawson feeding Nic Parker down the wing to cross in for Ashley Black to score the opener. Nic then got his first goal with a great assist from Alex Wilson. A strike from Zak Taylor was punched out by the keeper, but followed in by Jack Morris. Not long after that, a 30-yard free kick from Joe Bush sent the ball straight into the goal.

Norwich did not put their heads down, and started to attack more in the second half. Another great through ball from Alex and Nic was off running through the field, he kept his composure and placed the ball in the net. It was an unlucky day for Harvey White when two strikes in three minutes both hit the bar. Norwich scored with about 10 minutes to go, but Nic scored his hat-trick just at the full time whistle for a 6-1 win. MoM: Joe Bush for a superb game of control, vision and a great free-kick.