Thetford/Watton area notes

MUNDFORD U11 had a tough struggle away at Toftwood on their return to action. The fired-up home side made things difficult throughout and Mundford had to rely on a solid defensive performance from Ben Wells, Luke DeMeyer, Dean Scott, Todd Hutcherson and George Hammond as they struggled to find their rhythm. The game started at 100mph but midway through the first half Ryan Harvey latched onto Jack Pinner's through-ball and thumped it home but despite some high workrate from Sam Long and Michael Corbyn. Mundford struggled and it was no surprise when Toftwood levelled on half-time. Another very even second half followed until John Pearce intercepted a goal kick and lashed the ball past the helpless keeper. This gave the away side belief and Harry Walker's flick was moved on by Corbyn for Pinner to slot home the final goal. Final score: Toftwood 1, Mundford 3. MoM: George Hammond.

HARLING COLTS U12 drew 2-2 with Toftwood U12 in a top-of-the-table clash, the sides dominating a half each. Harling pressed in the first half with Isaac Watkinson hitting a post before Toftwood took the lead against the run of play. However, Harling responded with first Daniel Mobbs equalising from Watkinson's cross and then Watkinson scoring a rebound when Sam Smith's shot came back off the post. The second half saw Harling more on the back foot with MoM Rorie Knights working tirelessly in midfield before Toftwood equalised ten minutes from the end.

LAKENHEATH LEOPARDS U12 beat Dereham Blue 5-2. Lakenheath went into this game after a long break due to the weather. Lakenheath started slowly and were punished by two quick goals from Dereham. Both occasions they were caught on the break and Dereham scored two fine goals. Lakenheath were slow to respond but started to pass and commit for the ball as the first half progressed. They were rewarded when a through pass found Kieron Danbrowsky and he slotted the ball into the net. Kieron had a second goal disallowed due to an offside decision. The first half ended with both teams attacking and defending well. Lakenheath came out in the second half a different team determined to win the first game of 2010. After some good play a shot by Jamie Allsop was fumbled by the goalkeeper and Sam Buckley knocked the rebound into the net to level the score. Jamie Allsop continued to challenge Dereham down the right getting behind the defence and making some good crosses. Lakenheath were rewarded by two cracking goals by substitute Shay Thomson which gave Lakenheath the breathing space they needed. Connor Knight finished off the game with a 20-yard shot from the edge of the box into the top corner. MoM: Kieron Danbrowsky. Manager's MoM: Sam Buckley.

THETFORD TOWN U12 finally had a game against Rocklands after a very long break and performed as they did before the break, coming away 11-1 victors with goals from Max 5, Daniel 4 and Taylor 2. A fantastic performance from the whole team with some superb passing and great communication between the players. Well done boys - keep it going for the rest of the season. Town MoM: Spencer Bolton. Rocklands MoM: Max Melanson.

BRANDON LASSES U12 beat Lawshall Lions 4-1. A good team performance by the Lasses saw them take a well-deserved victory against a gutsy Lawshall Lions. Both teams competed well in the opening period with the home side having the edge but not quite finding the final pass. Amy Skipp came on setting up the first goal with a neat one-two with Ellesse Masters. The Lasses doubled the score right on the interval with good passing football, Chloe Killingworth playing in Brianna J to find Ellesse for her second.

The visitors battled well, making it difficult for Brandon and worked the Brandon defence but with Lucy Page in top form and Katie Meeson solid in goal they were limited to half-chances. As Lawshall pushed forward Brianna Jamgochian picked the ball up, ran almost the length of the pitch and finished well for Brandon's third, good work from Chloe Slater saw the ball break though for Brianna to finish at the far post. Lawshall pulled a deserved goal back but the Lasses saw the game out to finish 4-1.

BRANDON LASSES U11 lost to Dereham Wanderers 6-1. This was the first game in six weeks for both teams. Brandon came out of the starting blocks the better, attacking Dereham straight away with some good possession football. With five minutes gone good work by Jessie Whybrow who found Leah Zawiasa, who in turn found Millie Bales to make it 1-0 to the Lasses. Brandon kept pushing with the midfield of Leah, Georgia and Jessie working hard, the defence of Suzy Duggan and Ruby Robertson kept any attacks by Dereham at bay. Millie Bales worked hard up front, Leah went close to scoring. On 15 minutes Dereham had an attack and Brandon failed to clear their lines, Katie Amacker saved the first attempt but Dereham scored the rebound to make it 1-1. Brandon had more chances as the half progressed but could not finish. The second half didn't start to well for Brandon and they soon went 2 -1 down and just couldn't get going. They had a couple of chances but they were conceding goals through silly mistakes. Katie, in the Brandon goal, pulled off a couple of good saves. Abbie Craigen, on as a sub, worked hard and Jessie in midfield kept trying to keep things going they were nearly rewarded when good play led to Abbie having a good shot that was saved by their keeper. Savannah Hatch is the other player in the Brandon team who deserves a mention for her part in the game. The final result of this game flattered Dereham.

BRANDON LADS U9 visited Mundford on a rather decent Sunday morning and won 4-2. Mundford started off well and were causing Brandon problems all over the pitch with their excellent passing and movement off the ball. Will Bales, in the Brandon goal, made an excellent save early on but Mundford continued to pressure the Brandon defence and totally control the game for the first 15 minutes. Mundford were committed, well organised and looked hungry to upset the league leaders from the start. The first quarter ended 0-0 but Mundford were passing the ball around much better than Brandon. In the second 15 minutes Mundford were awarded a penalty that was dispatched beautifully into the top corner of the net, 1-0 to Mundford. This seemed to startle Brandon into action and Callam Horn rallied his team and they were back on level terms when Callam flighted a superb shot over the head of the Mundford keeper from 25 yards, 1-1. Not to be outdone, Mundford were straight back on it and went ahead again with an excellent passing move that was slotted into the corner of the Brandon net. Alex Matthews and Cameron Francis on the wings were struggling to penetrate the well-organised Mundford defence and Jake Vincent was being closely marked by the Mundford centre-back. At half-time it was Mundford 2, Brandon 1. After a slight reshuffle and stern team talk Brandon came out a much stronger and more determined in the third quarter. Tyler Churchill was on for Cameron Francis and Stephen Clarke replaced Alex Matthews on the left. Ben Long and Callam Horn were now looking more comfortable at the back and both were playing some excellent passes through to the Brandon forwards. Brandon started to control the game and hit the post early on. Continued pressure paid off and Stephen Clarke levelled things up once more with an excellent, controlled turn and shot into the Mundford goal, 2-2. Brandon were now causing Mundford all sorts of problems and pushed forward continuously. Brandon were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Mundford penalty area, up stepped Callam Horn and curled an absolutely superb free kick into the top corner of the Mundford net.

The fourth quarter continued as the last with Brandon pressuring the Mundford goal continuously. Tyler Churchill battled hard, Stephen Clarke gave 100 per cent and Jake Vincent continued to fight all the way through the game. Brandon were awarded another free-kick on the edge of the Mundford area, up stepped captain Callam and cleverly laid the ball off, this time to Jake Vincent who turned and slotted the ball home from 10 yards to make the final score Mundford 2, Brandon 4. MoM voted by Mundford: Ben Long.

BRANDON LADS U11 beat East Bergholt 8-2. After a long lay off Brandon played this League Cup match well. They opened the scoring early on with a great long-range effort from Elliot Gibson, Brandon continued to dominate and scored four good goals before half-time, one from Olly Farthing, two from Callum Benham and one from the hard-working Matt Brown. In the second half Brandon introduced Owen Moments, Greg Ostrowski and Liam Kennedy and all three played well. Brandon conceded two goals which East Bergholt deserved. They finished the game well with goals from Liam Aspin, Greg Ostrowski and Matt Brown.

BRANDON LADS U15 beat Whitton United 4-3. Brandon went to a higher league side in the Vase and came away with a well-deserved win. Whitton started the better and could have scored early on but Will Farthing made some good saves. Whitton scored first with a good goal but from a Kurt Haley free-kick Charlie Gritty headed in. In the second half Brandon scored their second from Charlie only for Whitton to equalise. Again Brandon scored from Charlie to complete his hat-trick but Whitton never gave up and levelled the scores for the second time. Brandon rode their luck when Jordan Marriott cleared from under his own crossbar and Brandon got the winner late on with his fourth goal of the game from Charlie.

BULLDOGS U9 hosted Garboldisham after a long run without matches and recorded a solid win. Bulldogs took a while to get going although Daniel and Rhys both hit a post in the first quarter. Bulldogs finally opened the scoring when Rhys and Daniel played a beautiful move for Daniel to slot home with real skill for 1-0. In the next quarter Bulldogs still looked a bit sluggish but they doubled their lead when Luke played through a great ball for Daniel to get his second. Bulldogs got a third when Luke smashed a superb shot in from the half-way line. Jayden then managed to miss from a matter of inches. Bulldogs found their flow in the third quarter firstly Pedro went on a brilliant surging run past five players before cutting back for Rhys to smash into the bottom corner. It was soon five when Rhys was played in by Jayden and he finished well for 5-0. The sixth soon came when Pedro cut in and drove his shot hard and low into the corner. Garboldisham got a goal back when they countered and their lively striker scored well. But Bulldogs instantly responded as Joseph who was having a great game found width and smashed his shot superbly into the corner of the net. In the last quarter Quinn took the gloves and John had a go in midfield, Bulldogs got their eighth after a prolonged attack saw Daniel finish his hat-trick and get his 20th of the season. It was nine when a great ball by Luke was controlled superbly by Rhys who rolled in with style for his hat-trick. Then a great moment when John went through and finished like any striker would for 10-1. Joseph finished the final goal again with another stunning strike from out wide. MoM: Pedro.

BULLDOGS U12 travelled to Litcham for the cup semi-final. Bulldogs started well and Daniel went close but Litcham took the lead scoring a rebound after Joseph saved the first effort. Daniel went close again but then Litcham were the ones who got the second. Bulldogs tried their best, in the second half especially, but the skilful Litcham scored three more to make it 5-0.

Bulldogs U6 are looking for children in Year 1 and reception for their mini soccer training on Saturdays 9.30 to 10.30am at the sports centre. If interested call 01842 763884.

THETFORD INDEPENDENTS U9A showed they weren't rusty after five weeks without a game following a convincing 20-goal spectacular at Dereham. Alfie Cooper began the game in fine form, knocking in three of the first four goals of the game, two of which were set up by Kehan Whitby who had formed a great partnership with Cooper in that first quarter. Jordan Bowie slotted home of the third of four goals to give Indies a 4-0 advantage going into the first break. Defender, Brandon Dawson unleashed a thunderbolt during the second quarter from the centre circle, which got a deflection on the way to beat the keeper. Aiden Try added to the score with his first of the day which was a crisp, cleanly struck shot into the bottom corner of the net. Whitby made it 7-0 shortly after with Try scoring his second to increase the advantage to eight goals by half-time. As Dereham players flagged in the second half of the game, Indies dominated possession and defender Konnor Dixon got in on the act early in the third quarter with a mazy run from defence, cutting through the Dereham midfield before finishing off in style with the best goal of the game. An Aiden Try shot was palmed away by the Dereham keeper to the feet of Connor Noble for his first goal. An own goal by Jordan Bowie gave the Dereham fans something to cheer about. A further two goals from Bowie and Noble made the score 12-1 at the end of the third quarter. The final quarter was a rout as Alfie Cooper scored another three in quick succession followed by goals from Whitby (2) , Bowie and Try along with another Cooper effort for good luck. MoM: Aiden Try.

THETFORD INDEPENDENTS U13 hosted Thurston in the quarter final of the League Cup and won the game in thrilling fashion. Indies started on fire playing really decent football, stringing together good flowing movements and it was one of those moves that led to the first goal. After good play down the left, Callum Crabb timed his run perfectly round the back post to tap in a well- worked goal. Indies were now firmly on top and cushioned the lead they had to two goals when Indies had a free-kick out on the right and Charlie Reed fizzed in a ball back post which took a deflection on its way in. Indies then took their foot off the gas and let Thurston get back in the game and they soon punished Indies for that after their centre-mid hit a great half-volley into the corner of the net. Thurston now had the momentum with them and it wasn't long before they equalised, this time beating Dom Barke at his back post. The second half Indies came back into the game with Kieron Fowler having a tremendous game in centre mid. Indies then took the lead when Charlie Reed broke down the left and toe-poked the ball past the keeper. Indies had thought they had won it with that goal, only for Thurston to equalise with the last kick of the game to send it to extra time. In extra time Thurston took a early lead which probably helped Indies because this time they were behind. It got Indies playing and it was only a matter of time before they would equalise, Shey Spears thought he had got it when his header was going in, only for a excellent clearance on the line. It was all one-way traffic and Indies got that all- important equaliser when Charlie Reed's corner was headed in by a Thurston player. Indies now had all the momentum and didn't want to settle for penalties and were really excelling themselves. This paid off when another dangerous corner came in and this time fell to Kieron Fowler who rounded off his superb performance by hitting the winning goal. An absolutely great game and even better performance from the boys. MoM: Kieron Fowler.

Weeting U10 4, Dereham Stags 1.

WEETING U10 take a good lead into the second leg of this quarter-final tie, but if it was not for some brilliant saves by the visiting keeper the home team would have been into the semis already. The home team went on the attack from the start and should have taken an early lead but had to wait for just the end of the period when a defence-splitting ball by N Ward sent up J Peeling to fire home from inside the box. The second period saw Stags come into the game and find C Sheppard in fine form to win the home goal, but could do nothing when a quick counter attack pulled then level. The second half started as the first with Weeting doing most of the attacking and got back in front when once again Peeling fired home. They could have had more but for excellent saves. The final period saw Stags adjust their formation but could still not stop the home team going further in front when R Hunter took a pass from J Peeling, burst through the middle and place his shot past the keeper. With time running out Ward made in four when he managed to poke the ball past the oncoming keeper. MoM for Weeting was C Sheppard with PoD going to J Peeling.

WATTON U10 returned to action after a lengthy lay-off with a difficult cup quarter-final first leg away to Cringleford, and in a pulsating match gave a spirited performance that leaves the tie finely balance for the return leg in two weeks' time. Cringleford started the brighter, but it was Watton who had the first real chance when Joshua Walker was put through, but his shot was blocked by the home keeper. With the game evenly balanced, Cringleford took a shock lead, when a long-range effort deceived Asher Duncan in the Watton goal and found the back of the net. Watton responded well, however, with Ben Walker and Ollie Kerrison playing well out wide, and a quick pass set up James Beaumont to smash the ball home from close range. The second quarter saw two contrasting styles, as Watton's quick passing came up against Cringleford's more direct and physical approach, and it was Cringleford who looked the more threatening. Some terrific defending from both Liam Owen and Kade Bond limited the chances, but a long ball over the top saw a Cringleford forward get away to score a second and leave Watton trailing 2-1 at half-time.

The second half saw Sam Bray and Matty Hendrie battling hard trying to break down the Cringleford defence but another long-range strike from the Cringleford forward increased their lead. After eight weeks without a game, Watton started to look a little tired but gamely hung on to go into the last quarter trailing 3-1. The final quarter saw Watton take a gamble, by pushing Kade up into midfield and leaving just Liam at the back, and showing real grit and determination, Watton started to claw their way back into the game. After a couple of near misses at both ends Watton continued to pour forward and with the last kick of the game Joshua latched on to a great through-ball to expertly steer the ball past the advancing keeper. This gave a final score of Cringleford 3, Watton 2 and left both sides feeling they still have a chance to go through.

WATTON U15 were away to Horsford with bare bones of a team. Watton started well with a firm defence of James, Joe, Tom and Connor J all doing a good job keeping Horsford away from the Watton goal. The Watton Reserve keeper Fitzy did a good job too considering it was his first-ever full game as goalkeeper. The midfield of Lewis, Nath, Louis and Bruno passed really well and kept the striking pair of Mikey and Connor W looking a constant threat. Watton did lose 7-3 but actually played much better than the score suggested. MoM: very hard-working Lewis.

WATTON U12 played at home against Scole. Watton started with Connor in goal, James, Lewis, David and Jamie in defence Callum, Luke, Cammy and Matty in midfield and Perry and Jimmy up front. Watton started slowly and soon found themselves 3-0 down. But Watton have got a great attitude and parents and especially the manager have a great belief in the team and the way they play. Watton soon stepped up their game when they could have folded with great play from Luke and Jack who had just came on and then Cammy who scored a great goal. Watton started playing their football and dominating the game. Matty was playing superb, he picked up on a great header from Perry, Matty passed to Jimmy who had a shot, their keeper got his fingers to it but Lee, who had come on for James, slotted it in. By now Lewis, Dagenham, Callum and Perry were in complete control at the back and Luke Cammy, Matty and Jack were playing lovely football in midfield. In the second half Watton started as they finished the first but a sloppy goal put their backs up against it. But again they fought back. The manager moved Lewis up front and it paid off. With a quick throw by Matty to Jimmy he laid it back and Matty played it back to Cal who passed it square to Luke. He put a great through ball to Lewis who turned and shot straight into the top corner. Watton had all the play and Scole's keeper was great. Jamie, Matty and Jimmy all had great chances but good saves from the keeper denied them the goals. The last goal was great play from back to front, Perry won the header, Dave picked it up and passed to James, he laid it to Jack, there was a great one-two between Jack and Cam. The latter then played a great no-look pass to Jimmy with his left foot, Jimmy still had a lot to do and ran 30 yards with the ball and slotted it straight in the corner for a great goal. Watton deserved more than a draw but Scole put up a good display and Watton could just not finish them off. Final score 4-4. The manager could not pick one man of the match, but three - Luke great battling display, Matty superb skill and Cammy all-round quality.

SWAFFHAM U15 took on hosts Docking in the Mid-Norfolk League Sub Cup and won 2-0. After the winter break, both teams set a fast pace from the kick-off with even play throughout the first half. Docking had scored after 20 minutes but this was cancelled out by the linesman's offside flag. Half-time 0-0. Jordan Humm scored after a good cross from the right. Josh Colman got the second soon after. Docking pressed hard after this but any pressure was thwarted by Jack Crisp, Swaffham's keeper.