Focus on Mercury area teams

ATTLEBOROUGH U14 secured a 2-1 victory over visitors Hockering on Wednesday evening. The home side went 1-0 down in the opening minutes but Boro's Gene Furneaux equalised when he received a superb ball from fellow striker Curtis Bolton. Bolton then found the back of the net just before half-time to put the hosts ahead. The second half saw no goals, but it was nonetheless exciting with Boro keeper and MoM saving a penalty and midfielder Jack Crosswaite just missing Boro's third. Boro now face Reepham away on Saturday and Stalham at home on Sunday.

ATTLEBOROUGH U14 played their second of three matches on Saturday at Reepham. Neither team had scored at half-time but three goals came in the second half with Reepham hitting home the first and taking the lead. Boro's George Bartholomew levelled and boosted the away team's morale. Curtis Bolton secured the MoM title after he beat the keeper and won the game just as the referee put the whistle to his lips to blow for full-time. Final score 2-1 to Boro who meet Stalham at home on Sunday.

HETHERSETT U9 entertained Jex and Firside at the Memorial last week. First up was a sporting Jex side who were looking for their first win and the way Hethersett started it looked like it was going to come as they didn't really get into the game for the first five minutes. After that Hethersett started to settle down and play some nice football. Aiden and Ben L were linking up well down the left and created a couple of chances but we were unable to hit the target. Luke R was again playing well at the back, with his speed and vision, and made some lovely passes. The first goal eventually came just before half-time when Ben Lacey turned on a loose ball in the area and rifled it in the top corner. Hethersett then got a second soon after when Cameron played Ben L in again and he made it 2-0 at half-time. The second half started off a lot brighter. Within a few minutes we were 3-0 up when Max did a quick throw to Thomas who managed to squeeze it in at the near post for his first goal of the season. With a few minutes remaining Ben K went on a mazy run from the back and played a lovely cross for Cameron to score the fourth. Final score 4-0.

The second game against a very good Firside was better forgotten. They played some really nice football and Hethersett just could not keep up with them. They were 3-0 within the first half and although Hethersett played a lot better in the second half Firside ran out 6-0 winners.

WYMONDHAM U11 played Lakeford at home on Sunday. Lakeford put the Wymondham defence under early pressure the Wymondham back four Rob Smith, Casey Barrett, Henry Felton and Alex Raggett were working very hard from the start of the match to keep the Lakeford attacks at bay. Wymondham did start to put together a number of runs forward, Marcus Black used his speed to work the ball into the Lakeford area. Lakeford scored their first goal and Marcus Black kept the half-time score at 0-1 by clearing the ball from the Wymondham goal line. Lakeford continued to pressure the Wymondham defence during the second half Jacob Mitchell made a couple of stretching saves to keep the shots at bay but unfortunately Lakeford scored a further two goals to win the match 3-0. All of the Wymondham team worked very hard and the teams were more evenly matched than the scoreline suggests. MoM: Marcus Black.

WYMONDHAM TOWN UNITED U9 faced away fixtures last Sunday at Mulbarton, against Diss and a host team, lying just one place above them in the table. Diss were the first opponents and on a hard, bouncy pitch the boys initially struggled to bring the ball under control. The game came to life when William C shot wide with a first effort and then combined nicely with Lewis to set up another which also flew wide. A great run by Lewis down the right ended with a hurried clearance by a defender as United gained the upper hand. Daniel joined in the action with a great shot that was blocked just short of the line. Wymondham were then caught by Diss, when from a long goal-kick, keeper Lucas bravely raced out of goal to deny two attackers who were clean through. He then saved magnificently following a Diss corner. Wymondham bounced back when Christy outstripped two defenders before setting up William C who shot just wide. Diss were proving quite stubborn opponents but with Ollie, Bradley, Jack B and Christy working tirelessly and the flair of Lewis and Daniel up front, we just had the edge. The half ended when Diss were awarded a somewhat dubious free-kick on the edge of the box. The goal-bound effort however, was denied by a wonderful Lucas save. With Lucas and Jack B exchanging positions, the second half began with a great long-range effort by Daniel which just failed to hit the target. Lewis then shot wide with another effort, before Daniel's free-kick was superbly turned onto the bar by the keeper. From another Daniel free-kick, the ball broke to Lewis whose point blank effort was saved by the inspired keeper. United were now well on top but the goal just wouldn't come. William F, Daniel and Lewis were once more denied by the keeper, then Christy and Lewis carved out an opening from which Lewis blasted into the side netting. With a couple of minutes to go however, when as another attack seemed to break down, somehow Lucas retrieved the ball and drove it home off the keeper from a narrow angle, 1-0 to Wymondham. Diss nearly equalised with almost the last kick of the game, when a high, looping effort bounced across the goal with everyone beaten. Final score: 1-0. A great team performance. MoM: Lucas Ahier, superb effort in goal and scored the winning goal.

WYMONDHAM TOWN UNITED U9 then played Mulbarton. The team knew a first rate performance would be needed but immediately found themselves with their backs against the wall. Daniel, in goal, brilliantly turned a shot over in the first minute, then denied them twice more before United had even ventured into the Mulbarton half. United's first attack began with a promising run down the right by Lewis but was cleared efficiently. The midfield of Lewis, Lucas and William F were not seeing enough of the ball and Jack B and Christy at the back were under constant pressure. Jack C was working hard up front with very little help. Then, suddenly, the ball broke to Lewis down the right and the skipper cut inside neatly and drilled a fine left- foot shot into the corner, 1-0 United. Mulbarton were still dominating possession but Jack B and Christy were holding firm at the back. From a quick break Lewis fed William F down the right who then measured a great cross from which United just failed to convert. Mulbarton were then gifted their first goal when Daniel's goal-kick was picked up smartly by the more alert Mulbarton attackers and driven home, 1-1. Daniel then thwarted a two-on-one attack with a brave save just before half time. At the start of the second half, United were awarded a free-kick which Lewis fired towards goal but the keeper somehow turned it away. Then from another goal-kick Mulbarton pounced to make it 2-1. Wymondham then countered with Lewis finding William F down the right. The winger unleashed a fierce shot, which seemed to have gone over the line from the underside of the bar, but was declined by the referee. From the resulting corner, Lucas headed just over. The decisive goal came when once again, Mulbarton reacted quickest from a goal kick and gave Daniel no chance. Final score: 3-1 to Mulbarton. Splendid effort from all the players against a well organised team. MoM: Daniel Watson, some super saves kept United in the game until the end.

WYMONDHAM TOWN U9, for the first time this season, would have to say that they were beaten by the better team - Mundford. Wymondham did not start very brightly and had Elliott Hindley to thank for a couple of good saves, and Jamie Blanchflower for clearing one off the line. The game was tight, though, for most of the first half and had Jacob Bush struck a chance first time instead of taking a touch, it might have been different. Just as half-time approached, Mundford took the lead, as their striker shot from a tight angle, beating Elliott at his near post. In the second half, Curtis Bell was introduced to try and help lift things. Early in the half Wymondham were awarded a free-kick just inside the Mundford half, and Henry Metcalf drove the ball straight at goal, and the shot had enough power to go through the keeper's hands for the equaliser. Hopefully this would inspire the team and push on, but in fact it seemed to inspire Mundford more, and they moved up a gear and scored a lucky second that went through Lewis Thurston's (Lewis had taken over in goal at half-time). Wymondham were now chasing the game, and pushed Charlie Gavin into midfield with Luke Hunt to help try and drive the team forward in search of the second equaliser. After Wymondham's best move of the game, Jacob slipped a pass to Henry and as he struck the shot, a defender made a great block. As Wymondham tried to push on, they were caught on the break and Mundford made it 3-1. Wymondham MoM: Jamie Blanchflower. Opposition MoM: Jacob Bush.

DISS U18 completed their away games for the season with their eighth defeat, this time a 4-0 one at Woodbridge . It means that they gained just one point on their nine travels. Diss played well in the first half and thought that they were harshly treated when a 'goal' from Ross Shaen-Carter was ruled out in a very close offside decision. In the second half young Lewis Riches showed his promise for the future with a good display in goal. He was, however, beaten by two goals from Sam Smy and one goal each from George Baldry and Callum Smith. Diss U18s complete their fixtures for the season at home to Stowmarket Town U18s tonight (Thursday) ko 7.45pm.

DISS TOWN YOUTH U9 travelled to Mulbarton for two matches. Game one against Wymondham was a very tight affair with Alex Chittock superb in defence, ably assisted by Kieran Allen. Several half-chances for both teams came and went with Cameron Rossell and Jack Burrows closest for Diss. Keeper Connor Blake made a brilliant one-handed save to tip over a free-kick late on but was then beaten right at the death to give a most unjust final score of Wymondam 1, Diss 0. Game two against Mulbarton saw the Diss lads a bit sleepy in defence giving the hosts a comfortable lead. After a frank half-time team talk midfielders Charlie Bowen, Dan Blackburn and Dane Potter really rallied the troops, however some very marginal refereeing decisions, to say the least, meant the youngsters were always facing an uphill battle. Final score Mulbarton 6, Diss 0.

EYE SAINTS U13, league leaders, won a hard fought game 3-2 away at Whitton Utd. Eye started the match the stronger team and were rewarded after ten minutes when a good strike from Tom Hargrave found the back of the net. It was mostly one-way traffic towards the Whitton goal with good goalkeeping and bad finishing kept the score at 1-0 at half-time. In the first minute of the second half Saints went 2-0 up with an excellent shot from the edge of the area from Joe Hooton. Whitton started to come more into the match and ten minutes in were rewarded after Saints failed to clear from a corner. Five minutes later Whitton scored again to take the scores level. Play was end to end in warm conditions with both teams struggling in the heat. In the dying minutes Whitton should have scored but keeper Ben Roberts was quickly off his line to apply pressure to the attacker. With the game deep into injury time Tom Hargrave burst down the left side, played the ball in to Reuben Martindale who finished with aplomb to seal another win for the Saints. The defence, with Adam Brown and Liam Potter looking strong and Tom Hargrave causing problems down the left side, all played well but MoM goes to Reuben Martindale who battled well throughout and took his winning goal superbly.

EYE SAINTS U15 beat hosts Rickinghall Gunners 1-0. With three Saints players being stuck in Spain due to the volcanic ash and other players not being available, Saints were down to just nine players. The effort the team put in from start to finish was outstanding. Every one of the Eye nine gave their all. Stand-in keeper, Brandon Mason, was like a rock in goal with a superb display. His three-man defence in front of him, Kyle Cox, Alfie Unsworth and skipper Robert Kayley defended like their lives depended on it. Not allowing the opposition any room to attack, Eye constantly pushed forward putting pressure on Rickinghall's defence who somehow managed to keep the game goalless. Striker Mathew Noble, playing up front on his own, was unlucky not to score on a few occasions with some fantastic runs and attacking play linking up with wingers Hayden Crispin and Macauley Spurling who were constantly up and down the line, attacking and defending. Keiran Cox, in the middle of the pack, was at the centre of most of the Saints' attacks but was denied scoring a goal which he deserved. The deadlock was finally broken with less than 10 minutes remaining when midfielder Hamish Leith, who played the game of his life, scored from a tight angle. Rickinghall then started to put Eye under pressure but Eye remained solid and held on to the win they thoroughly deserved. MoM: the whole team.

HARLESTON U12 played host to Filby and Runham and played very well in warm conditions. Harleston attacked from the start and put their visitors under pressure, passing very well. They deservedly took the lead when Ryan Shadbolt latched onto a through ball from Tom Girling to slot home. Harleston should have increased their lead before stand-in keeper Morgan Robinson was called on to make a smart save to keep his side leading at half time. The second half began badly for Harleston as straight from the whistle the visitors equalised. This woke the home side up and almost immediately they regained the lead as Tom Girling headed home a Shadbolt cross. Ryan Shadbolt then added a third after an individual effort, he then completed his hat-trick after a fine Brandon Pickess through ball. A fifth arrived when Craig Ellis ran from his own half, rounded the keeper and squared for Brannigan Harvey to tap home. There was still time for the visitors to pull a goal back before the end to make the final score 5-2. Brandon Pickess claimed MoM for a fantastic display, but a good display from all team members.

HARLESTON U10 travelled to third-placed Shrublands looking to gain revenge for a 3-0 defeat earlier in the season. The game was even from the start with both sides having chances to take the lead. It was the home side who took the lead first just before half time after Harleston failed to clear a corner. Harleston equalised midway through the second half after good passing resulted in Luke Williams calmly slotting home. The home side regained the lead moments later from another corner. Harleston deservedly levelled again through Luke Williams with his second. The game looked to be heading for a draw but in the last couple of minutes Tommy Williams' deflected shot gave Harleston the lead. Harleston survived the rest of the game to win 3-2 and gain a well- deserved three points. MoM was Ben Robinson, an excellent game in defence.

HARLESTON U14 were fired up for this trip to Gunton Youth to play the team they are to face in the League Shield final next Sunday. They found themselves one down but this did not distract them from the job they had to do. Remarl Nelson put pressure on a Gunton defender who inadvertently lobbed his own keeper. After good work by Dan Knox in the box, his shot was helped into the net by another Gunton player. With Gunton arguing amongst themselves Harleston capitalised, Nelson raced clear and slotted home, minutes later Nelson fired across the keeper into the far corner. Harvey Hodd coolly knocked the ball past the keeper. Gunton got one back before half-time. In the second half Nelson claimed his hat-trick when he rose above the defence to nod home a Knox corner. Gunton scored twice more for a final score 6-4 to Harleston. MoM: Oliver Heath, solid at the back.

HEMPNALL HUNNIES U13 entertained Horsford Girls on a beautiful Saturday morning and the Hunnies dominate from the first whistle. A change of tactics and positions saw Lucy as the first striker and scoring an excellent goal, creating opportunities for more. The midfield saw the two Katies combine with Alana, drafted forward from her defensive role. The pace made it difficult for Horsford to defend against and time and time again Hempnall pressured the Horsford goal, with only some excellent goalkeeping keeping out the efforts of Lucy, Alana and the Katies. Holly switched with Lucy and began making her presence felt, her skill and determination earning her a further two goals to add to the Hempnall scoresheet. The partnership of Beth, Shannon and then Katie B, made sure Lucy had little to do at the back. Sammy (Girl of Game) played her best game yet, getting involved and growing in confidence, and it resulted in her scoring the fourth goal.

HEMPNALL U12 hosted Hemsby knowing that the two tremendous wins against Blundeston and Kirkley had secured their place in Division One for next season. Hemsby needed at least a point from the game to keep their hopes of remaining in the league intact. The game was fast and furious in the first ten minutes on a hard and bumpy pitch. Hemsby took the lead with a speculative 30-yard shot that deceived keeper Brooks. Straight from the restart Dan Babington's 30-yard shot only just cleared the bar with the keeper well beaten. Two more attempts from Oli Newson and Ethan Humphrey also just failed to hit the target. At the other end a 25-yard free-kick was well saved by Joel Brooks. Oli Newson equalised with a fine solo run that took him past three defenders before he prodded the ball home past the keeper. Hemsby took the lead again when a corner evaded three defenders on the line. Callum Maloney took the ball past two defenders before shooting into the keeper's arms. Connor Garrod made a strong run down the right, forcing a corner. Rhys Vertigans header from Dan's corner was just off target. Dan then took another corner from the left that was thumped home by Ethan Humphrey. Sam Fisher made a strong run down the left but his shot was scrambled clear and then Callum's shot was blocked. Hempnall continued to press for the winner with Hemsby happy to hang onto their point. Final score Hempnall 2, Hemsby 2. MoM: Connor Garrod. Next week Hempnall entertain Gorleston FC in the League Cup final at Emerald Park Gorleston, ko 2.30pm.

LONG STRATTON U13 finished the season with a hard earned 2-1 win against St Benets in Beccles. Despite going down to an early goal Stratton went on to control most of the game. George Larter, Adam Race and Alex Addison going close. Finally in the last 10 minutes the rs pressure paid off and they scored twice, both goals coming from Alex Addison. A second consecutive top four finish for Long Stratton U13 and they finished the season really strongly winning four and drawing one to give manager Steve Race hope for further improvement next season. MoM: Tom Bellingham.

SCOLE GIRLS U12 played Kirkley & Pakefield and an early goal put Scole at a disadvantage. Determined to equalise, Scole made some good passes through midfield using Rebecca Archibald and Ellie Drake. This enabled Georgia King to find the back of the net to level the score before the end of the half. Scole continued to be the stronger team in the second half. Good defence kept Kirkley at bay with especially good clearances from PoM Amber Elliot. Scole ended the game on a high when Archibald made a great run down the wing and netted another. Final score Scole 2, Kirkley & Pakefield 1.

SCOLE LADS U10 brought their title- winning season to a close with a stunning performance over Horsford. Thomas Brown opened the scoring after a good cross from Charlie Hitch. Hitch made it two with a lovely finish following good work from Ellis Pullinger and Lewis Burrows with a great strike. Pullinger then put Burrows in on goal but his shot was well saved. A surging run from Daniel Whyman found Brown who poked home number three. Kyle Hanusiak made it four after a great run and shot. Matt Perry was a virtual spectator in goal as Kieran Manning was making some wonderful passes and he was unlucky with a good header following a run from Daniel Heffer. MoM Brown was unlucky not to get a hat-trick following great work from Hanusiak.

SCOLE LADS U10 were at home to Old Catton and the visitors opened the scoring with a great cross and finish that Jo Baker in goal could do nothing with. Whyman almost pulled Scole level with a strike which cannoned off the bar. Heffer showed some lovely skill releasing Hitch and Burrows put Manning through but his shot went just wide. Oliver Boardman was making some great interceptions however Scole went two behind. Whyman pulled one back with a long-range strike but Scole just couldn't find the equaliser. Despite this the team and the management should feel proud of their efforts this season. Scole are moving up to 11-a-side next year, the team are looking for new players to add to the squad. Anyone interested in joining or having a friendly call Nigel on 07913 911098 or 01379 640907. A team picture will be published in a future edition.

SCOLE U12 were at home to Brandon, which was an exhilarating match with both sides working hard to dominate the game. Initially, play went from end to end with Scole's forwards making many opportunities to score. A highlight was Jake Wootton's shot from outside the goal area which was caught and then Scole went 1-0 up. Wootton took Scole to 2-0 with an unstoppable penalty shot. Scole began to dominate the game with midfield and defence giving Brandon few opportunities. Payne, Everett and Heath ran the ball well, pushing Brandon into a defensive game. Shipperlee scored moments before the final whistle to make it 3-0. A great game with all players giving 100per cent. MoM: Jack Payne.

SCOLE U13 hosted Attleborough and dominated from start to finish. Oscar Marshall lobbed the keeper. Then Scole showed more composure on the ball and Max Turner headed in an Oscar corner, then Aidan Shaen-Carter, Laurence Breeze and Oscar scored before half time. In the second half Scole scored two further goals from Joe Read and Aidan. PoM: Joe Stansbridge for a solid display at the back. A draw from Lakeford on Sunday meant that this win secured the league title. Well done to all boys on an excellent season.