NORTH WALSHAM U14 beat Costessey 12-0 in their last game.

After an early Costessey threat, A Johnson scored for North Walsham with a well-taken strike to cap a neat move. Jackson made it two when, after a fair challenge with the keeper, the ball was dropped for an easy finish. Wright made it three with an emphatic strike after a neat through-ball to the right side of the penalty area. A great North Walsham passing move was finished by Johnson chipping over the keeper neatly, and tapping in. Jackson made it five with a tap-in from a Cresswell cross. Taylor was almost apologetic as he tapped in from close range, before a pass across the box to Walker was well placed into the bottom corner for seven. In the early minutes of the second half Wright finished in determined style with a wonderful strike from outside the box into the roof of the net. A free-kick from outside the right-hand side of the area was superbly curled inside the far post by Copeman. North Walsham forced a Costessey own goal, before great work from Copeman led to a great cross, and well-taken strike from Taylor. A Johnson added another with a low strike through a crowded box to end the game 12-0. Hat-trick hero: A Johnson.

CROMER GIRLS settled into their match against Scole quickly, the defensive trio of Megan Lightfoot, Gemma Ridgeway and Molly Wright (in goal) providing the rock-solid platform for the midfield and forwards to heap pressure onto Scole. Holly Hardingham made a welcome return to action, setting up Rosie Campbell for the game’s opening goal and her first for the team. Second-half goals from Megan Purdy and Georgia Potter killed the game off, Charley Sinclair and Phoebe Cooper dominated midfield, making it impossible for Scole to comeback. PoM: Charley Sinclair.

NORTH WALSHAM ANGELS U14 Girls visited Dereham Wanderers, and although they lost 5-3 their second-half display was one of the best against the home side for some time. They were almost back to full strength. Emily was once again between the posts, Sophie S returned in defence alongside Jess F and Lucy, Zoe, Charlotte and Robyn were in midfield with Izzy just in front to support striker Ellie. Subs were Sophie H and Olivia. Angels got off to a bad start conceding two soft goals following throw-ins, Dereham scored a third goal and were then handed a fourth on a plate as a player ran through unchallenged. Sophie S suffered a back injury and was replaced by Sophie H and Olivia came on as striker. At 4-0 down at half-time Angels began the second half with two strikers and this tactic paid off as Ellie chased a long ball, beat the keeper and clipped the ball into the net. Another defensive lapse allowed Dereham to score their fifth but Angels responded well. Olivia ran on to Charlotte’s pass down the left to score a similar goal to their first, then her persistence took her past a couple of defenders before she turned inside from the left to shoot just inside the near post.

EAST COAST WARRIORS U12 went to Cromer hoping for a repeat of their 3-0 cup hammering of their local rivals, but Cromer had regrouped and the task was harder this time round. Cromer went on the attack from the off, but despite constant pressure, Coast’s midfield and defence soaked up the pressure with, if not ease, then a constant work-rate and considerable skill. Lubbock, Smith and Lozeau tracked back well to re-inforce the sterling efforts of Wilkinson, Lee, Richardson and Reid who was truly exceptional in both the speed and accuracy of his right-side defence. Having weathered the early storm, Coast began to look more assured and the battle switched largely to midfield with both sides making promising forays, Baker and the Cromer stopper making some cracking saves, leaving the match even and goalless at the break. Opening the second period it was Coast who looked the brighter, until a Cromer forward volleyed the ball onto Richardson’s hand. The resulting highly-disputed penalty was buried and, given the evenness of the contest, there was no way back. Cromer’s cake was iced by an unfortunate mis-communication between Baker and Smith, which resulted in the latter steering the ball into the wrong net. It finished 2-0 to Cromer but full credit should be given to an amazing performance throughout the East Coast team, denying the home side the slightest sniff of a goal from open play and threatening to score many times.

EAST COAST WARRIORS U12 welcomed Horsford Youth to Sheringham and took the game to their opponents from the off, playing attractive passing football which led to a cracking early goal from Smith at full volley and from close range. They pressed the advantage and having had his own shot denied, Lozeau crossed deftly to Brown who left the visiting stopper no chance. Horsford, initially a little stunned, were not going to give up and provided some real competition threatening on the break and making the Coast back four work hard to turn them back and feed the ball to their own front line, amongst whom Othon Askew, Lubbock, and Lozeau all had fine efforts denied by some excellent opposition keeping. After a long spell of midfield tussling, Brown took a neat pass and buried it in the net. Initially flagging offside, the Horsford linesman showed refreshing professionalism and fair play, rescinding the offside as the player noted beyond the back line had not taken any part. Another brace of goals followed shortly. Smith capitalised on a goalmouth scramble from a corner to slip the ball under everyone’s legs, while Lubbock’s long curving ball spun in off a Horsford back. Shortly before time Howell lobbed the keeper for a neat sixth. The game finished 6-0 to East Coast, but was satisfying not just for the scoreline but in playing opponents who worked hard, played fair, and produced a very watchable game.