North Norfolk youth scene

CROMER TOWN U18 and Dereham shared the spoils at Aldiss Park 2-2 in a match that both teams will agree they didn't deserve to lose. Dereham took the lead through a free header from Norfolk centre-back Olly Thomson. However, Cromer soon pegged the Magpies back with an excellent finish by Sam Applegate to tie the game at 1-1 and make him the top goal scorer in the Ridgeons East Division. Cromer took their game up another gear, with a superb through-ball from Ben Hughes providing Lawrence Cheese the opportunity to hand Cromer the lead. Still, this was not an end to the scoring as Dereham's young striker Howard outpaced the Cromer defence to tie the match at 2-2. Cromer had Cunningham to thank for a string of superb strikes throughout and Applegate had an opportunity late on to earn all three points but couldn't capitalise. Cromer U18: H Cunningham, M Brock, T Hutt, D Coates, J Carroll, B Nelson, A Henderson, B Hughes, A Perry, L Cheese, S Applegate. Subs: J Crane, J Bligh, O Vincent.

EAST COAST WARRIORS U14 continued their good start to the season with a 2-1 win against Dereham. Warriors started well playing some great passing football. After a period of sustained pressure from the home team Dereham broke away and scored. The Warriors stuck to their game plan and went close when J.Clark broke into the area only to be denied by a post. In the second half the Warriors continued to dominate and were rewarded with an equaliser when J.Swainson scored. T.Little dominated the midfield and J.Taylor and C.Lubbock worked well on the wings to create more chances. The winner came from J.Farquharson, his first goal for the club. The entire team played some brilliant football despite the severe weather.

SHERINGHAM WARRIORS U15 were in County Cup action playing a team a year older who were second in the Norwich Combination League. St Andrews U16 won 3-1. Warriors quickly settled and began to match them in every department. Harry Carrington was switched to centre back with Tommy Bywater and both excelled, limiting St Andrews to very few shots. Jacob Knowles on the left wing caused problems and was unlucky to be given off side when clean through on goal. Tom Todd played up front as a loan striker against strong defenders. St Andrews took the lead just before half-time when they won a free-kick on the edge of the box, which they converted with Nathan Lomax in goal nearly tipping it away. Shane Cox in midfield was industrious, put in a lot of decent tackles and set up a couple of decent chances for Jacob and Toddy which they were unlucky not to convert. The second half started well for the Sheringham boys, with Cameron Humphrey and Jodi Norris in midfield getting amongst the St Andrews midfield and matching them physically. Josh Glister came on up front and put in a good shift winning some flick-ons and trying to upset the opposition back line. St Andrews then caught the Warriors out with a counter-attack to just squeeze the ball past Nathan to make it 2-0. Jacob Knowles sprinted on to a ball over the top of the defence and lashed it past the keeper to make it 2-1. The Warriors upped the ante and went close when Jodi Norris from a corner headed the ball across the goal, which the keeper only just saved. Harry Stamatov down the right gave his full back a torrid time. Tom Harrison and Ali Burghall won most things that came down the flanks at them and Nathan Lomax in goal pulled off some stunning saves. St Andrews grabbed another goal just before full time, again catching the Warriors out when they were pushing for a goal. Warriors put in one of their best performances for some time.

STALHAM U10 played Taverham and drew 0-0. Every player worked hard all game closing the ball down. Joseph made a cracking save in the second half to ensure Stalham did not lose and deservedly won player-of-the-match. Matthew came close to winning the award as he had a great second half, making some good crosses and having a good shot saved after a great passing move between the team. Chris and Jake were solid at the back all game and Daniel, who was fantastic, worked his socks off man marking all first half. William pulled of a good save first half and his kicking was very good. Sean BK in midfield made great runs and picked out super passes. Harry again showed his strength in tackling and passing and also had some good strikes from distance. Troy had another great game making some good runs, tackles, passes and had some good corners.

EAST COAST WARRIORS U11 played host to Mundesley who took a very defence-oriented approach. Every inch of territory in their half had to be fought for, but a fine team effort saw Roffey make the most of a goalmouth scramble to score after 12 minutes. After a spell of aerial ping-pong, Lozeau grounded the ball, placing a curling volley beyond the Mundesley keeper's reach. During a sustained attack down Coast's right, Smith and Richardson valiantly repelling boarders. A couple of unfruitful forays from Lee and Lozeau were countered by the visitors, down the left, giving Wilkinson and Reid their turn to be resolute in defence. One that got past the Coast back four was turned away by Baker with an amazing dive. At half-time he switched to an outfield role, and netted almost immediately, to be ruled offside. Coast linked well to batter the visitors' defensive wall, and keep the excellent Mundesley keeper Pearce under constant pressure. Eventually Brown chipped unstoppably for No 3. The visitors broke only to be mopped up by the back four and second keeper Paterson. Close to time Lee curled in the goal of the match, with a ball that swung neatly into the top right corner. Final score: ECW 4, Mundesley 0.

CROMER YOUTH U11 continued their good run with an emphatic 10-0 win at Stoke United. An experimental Cromer team saw the boys playing in different places on the pitch and thoroughly enjoying the experience. Joe Gasse-Coope had a fine game on the right flank and opened the scoring after 10 minutes. Keeper Alfie Woodrow had a run-out at centre forward and headed home from a corner to make it 2-0. Jack Chapman ran the Stoke defence ragged and set up Adam Spruce for Cromer's third. A long-range shot from Jordan Davies saw Cromer go four up soon after and Jake Zelos stroked home a Cromer penalty to see them go into half-time 5-0 leaders. Stoke came out fighting in the second-half and Cromer had three players carried-off injured. But the boys fought hard, with Chris Attew particularly battling fiercely in the Cromer defence. Ieuan Lightfoot made it 6-0 and Joe Gasse-Coope got his second and Cromer's seventh. Soon after, Ieuan danced through the Stoke defence to make it 8-0 to give him his second hat-trick in two games. Jordan Davies scored Cromer's 10th with a superb free-kick late in the game to end a tough game at the end of a tough week for the Cromer team. MoM: Jack Chapman.

CROMER YOUTH U9 after a slow start found their way against Reepham and played some great passing football. Ronnie Harwood had a mazy run down the wing before crossing for Megan Lightfoot to coolly pass into the net. The defence of James Cooper and William Copelston were very solid nullifying most of Reepham's attacks, and when they did get through George Cadman in goal saved the day. Jack Sayer in midfield covered every blade of grass. Half-time score 1-0. Making four substitutions at half-time, Cromer came out with more purpose. When Reepham did attack the defence of Kyle Jablonowski and Henry Thompson were immense and thwarted everything. Tobi Nichols in midfield had his best game for the team and was rewarded with a goal. Euan Neave ran with the ball and scored a fantastic goal. Well done to Reepham who battled well for the whole game and thanks to Alan Lamb the referee and to the ladies in the kitchen. Final score 3-0 to Cromer Youth. Player of the match: Megan Lightfoot.

EAST COAST WARRIORS U10 were away to Firside U10. The squad of S Howell, C Craske, L Goodrum, J Boggis, A Galley, J Stearman, O Woodrow and B Fairclough found themselves 1-0 down just before half- time. In the second half the Firside keeper made some outstanding saves to keep out the Warriors. East Coast conceded again and began to fight back. A good strike from J Boggis made the score 2-1 but after endless pressure from East Coast the Firside keeper kept the score at 2-1.

HOLT U10 travelled to Old Catton B and carried on their winning ways. Holt started very positively and scored first with some great football from Alfie and Louis from which Tyler played a perfect pass into the path of Cameron who slotted home. Holt's second came from a fine individual goal from Louis. Old Catton replied just before half-time to make it 2-1. Holt started the second half as they started the first with Cameron and Alfie piling on the pressure from midfield which caused a mix-up in Catton's defence for Alfie to tap in Holt's third. Substitutes Harvey, Sophie and Bobby had their best game of the season and Ed and Jack were solid in defence. Terry worked his socks off up front, Joe was superb in goal first half and replaced by Tyler in the second who made some great saves. Louis scored Holt's fourth with a cracking shot and Old Catton scored at the end to make it final score 4-2. MoM: Louis Plater.

MUNDESLEY Youth U16 recorded a narrow 2-1 victory over Horsford Youth thanks mainly to keeper Rees Leonard, he kept them in the running in the first half with a string of stunning saves. Just before the break Jamie Nibari converted from the penalty spot to give the home side the lead. Horsford battled away in the second half and although Leonard made a few more good stops they eventually beat him to draw level. Mundesley soon regained the lead when following a left-wing corner the ball popped up for Dylan Hunter to head home what proved to be the winner.

NORTH WALSHAM ANGELS U13 GIRLS entertained Mulbarton Belles whom they had beaten handsomely away the previous match. Pre-match omens were not good, however, as the visitors welcomed back three players unavailable last week while, due to call-offs, Angels had no substitutes. The visitors made the best start and took the lead with a well-worked goal. This spurred Angels into action and they gradually took charge of the play and pulled level with a stunning goal from Charlotte before the interval. She hammered the ball goalwards from just inside the Mulbarton half and the Belles keeper could not prevent the ball hitting the net. With Zoe again having a great game in centre midfield Angels created chances to take the lead but failed to convert them to goals. As the match appeared to be heading for a draw Mulbarton broke away to snatch

the winner.

NORTH WALSHAM DEEVILS U15 lost to Jex 5-3. This top versus bottom fixture provided a physical encounter with plenty of chances for both teams. With a 100 percent improvement in the weather on the previous outing, the North Walsham squad certainly had their work cut out - especially in the midfield where Jex dominated for long periods of time. In turn, G Ash and J Edwards worked hard and cleared their defensive lines well. In the early part of the game, T Knight pulled off a string of excellent saves to keep the scores level and both C Kerry and FHH went close for the Devils. After 29 minutes they failed to deal with a corner and in a packed six-yard box it fell to a Jex attacker to poke home from close range. With M Seago in excellent aggressive mood, he began to dominate to left side and save for some stout Jex defending might have equalised. With no more goals the Devils went in only 1-0 down. A swift response was the half-time message and within a couple of minutes it was 1-1 when C Kerry weaved his through the Jex defence and slotted home. Despite growing in confidence, Jex were still dominating areas of the game and regained the lead after 47 minutes. Despite further good saves by T Knight, he could do nothing about the third Jex goal which was chipped into the top corner. With AJ Johnson absolutely shattered after giving his all, a substitution saw an alteration to the formation and it paid dividends when FHH forced his way through to make it 3-2. Despite being backs to the wall for long periods the Devils replied immediately to a Jex fourth goal when FHH slotted home his second to make it 4-3. The game now entered a scrappy period with a number of stoppages, but the Devils were not able to force the equaliser. To add salt to the wound Jex scored a fifth bang on full-time. The Devils gave it their all and won't go far wrong with further performances like this.

NORTH WALSHAM PANTHERS hosted The Woottons in the Norfolk Minor Cup. The action was end to end, with both teams passing the ball very proficiently, until some very skilful passing allowed Elliot to score. The game continued with both teams playing good football until the Panthers took the initiative and an amazing cross from Lewis allowed Elliot lots of time to score. This was followed by a scramble in the goalmouth and Elliot scored his, and Panthers' third goal. Player 10, for Wootton, had many attempts at goal two of which were outstanding, it was the Panthers' rock-solid defending that foiled his attempts. The Panthers started the second half with some inspired play and James created a space to put the Panthers four goals in front. Both goalkeepers made saves that were otherwise certain goals but it was Jordan who placed an unstoppable ball into the top corner of the net. The ball stayed in the Wootton half and after many attempts Elliot scored his fourth and the Panthers' sixth goal. The game ended Panthers 6, The Woottons 0.