Thetford/Watton notes

BRANDON LASSES U11 beat North Walsham 6-0. The Lasses started brightly and could have taken the lead in the first couple of minutes with Millie Bales and Leah Zawiasa both going close to scoring. With Brandon pushing forward it wasn't long before they were off the mark with Leah finding the back of the net with a fine shot from 10 yards. The Lasses kept the pressure on and with 10 minutes gone Ruby Robertson delivered a corner into the box for Leah to fire home for her second. The Lasses were in control, creating several chances for Freya Heyward, Millie and Abbie Craigen who played very well on her first game for the club. With the odd counter attack being dealt with by a solid defence of Suzy Duggan and Ruby Robertson, Katie Amacker had very little to do in goal. The second half saw Brandon pushing forward and Millie made a superb run down the right and found Georgia Durgan on the by-line who somehow squeezed the ball between the keeper and a post. Walsham were still full of fighting spirit and were counter attacking at every opportunity, the Lasses being lucky not to concede. The Lasses continued to play some great passing football with Georgia and Millie making some great runs. They were rewarded when Leah's goal-bound shot took a deflection from a Walsham player, which wrong footed the keeper and hit the back of the net for her hat-trick! Freya then made it 5-0 with a calm finish from short range for her first goal of the season. After Millie's shot had hit a post she was rewarded when she ran at the defence and fired a shot past the keeper for the sixth. PoM: Millie Bales.

BRANDON LASSES U12 beat Stowupland Falcons 2-0. The Lasses travelled to Stowupland looking to keep their good run of form going but were made to fight all the way by a hard working Stow side. Ellesse Masters opened the scoring for Brandon midway through the half with a good finish but the home side came close minutes later, forcing a very good save from Katie Meeson. Brandon played some better football in the second half and created more chances but the Stow keeper was in good form. Georgia O'Malley increased Lasses' lead and sealed the points with a deserved goal.

BRANDON LADS U9 beat Dereham Wanderers Yellow 10-0. Brandon looked dangerous from the start and Cameron Francis opened the scoring within a couple of minutes, finishing off an excellent move that involved nearly everyone. Callam Horn and Ben Long were playing at the back and looked comfortable from the outset. Alex Matthews looked sharp again on the left and Jake Vincent hungry for goals after a week off. Jake was unlucky not to make it 2-0 but for an excellent save by the Dereham keeper early on. Brandon were controlling the play and the defenders were playing some excellent balls through. Callam Horn opened up the defence with a superb ball that Jake Vincent latched onto and dispatched for 2-0. Cameron Francis was then set up beautifully by a Jake Vincent pass to smash the ball into the Dereham net from 25 yards. Jake then managed to bundle the ball over the line to make it 4-0 and bring up the end of the first 15 minutes. In the second quarter Stephen Clarke came on for Alex Matthews and dropped into midfield. Dereham tightened things up and began to play some nice football. The Dereham goalkeeper was absolutely outstanding and saved another couple of excellent shots from the Brandon strikers. Ben Long made some superb interceptions at the back to maintain Brandon's lead going in at half-time. In the third 15 minutes, Brandon's fitness began to tell and Jake Vincent, having a brilliant game, bagged another three goals, one of which was absolutely outstanding from 25 yards - probably his best of the season! Stephen Clarke also managed to nudge one in to take it to 8-0 with 15 minutes to go. In the fourth quarter Will Bales, in the Brandon goal, made some positive saves and Dereham were unlucky not to get a goal, but up pops Jake Vincent again from a short corner and popped another in the back of the net. Jake rounded things off with a tap-in to make the final score 10-0 to Brandon but the game was played in excellent spirit and Dereham never gave up. MoM (voted by Dereham): Cameron Francis.

BRANDON LADS U13 beat Waveney Youth B 3-1 in the Suffolk FA/Tesco Cup. Brandon started well but it was clear Waveney were not about to give them an easy game. Brandon looked good on the attack but so did Waveney, however when Waveney did break through the Brandon defence it was the impressive Jack Field, playing in goal, who saved Brandon with a string of fantastic saves. It was Waveney that scored first from a corner which Brandon failed to clear. This was still an evenly-fought contest and Brandon were awarded a free-kick which was taken by Harry Rampley who placed the ball in the box for Isaac Allen to head home and make it all level. In the second half it was much of the same end-to-end football. Brandon did get the breakthrough when Rampley put a cross into the box which the Waveney defence tried to head clear only for the ball to come to Allen who struck the ball first time into the top corner. Waveney were all-out attack now but Brandon stayed solid at the back with Jordan Scott playing some of his best football and Lewis Stevenson controlling the back four and with Field being unbeatable Brandon looked to have the game wrapped up until somehow the ball found its way through but Lewis Norton was there to clear off the line. Brandon had the final say when good work between Rampley and the hard -working Daniel Baker saw Baker free on the wing to cross a brilliant ball into the Waveney goalmouth and Jack Slaughter stabbed the ball home. This was another great all-round Brandon display with all 13 boys playing their part - however MoM Jack Field was outstanding and kept Brandon in it.

HARLING COLTS U12 beat Heigham Park U12 10-0. MoM Luke Holland scored the first five goals in this comfortable win over Heigham Park. He completed his hat-trick before half-time with assists from Rorie Knights, Sam Smith and Isaac Watkinson and added two more at the start of the second half with a long-range effort and another from a Rob Turner cross. Smith set up Daniel Mobbs for the sixth and Smith's header was deflected in for an own goal for the seventh. Smith then scored the goal of the game with a volley from Rory Olpin's cross after a sweeping move and added another from Holland's pass. Watkinson rounded off the scoring with a well-taken effort from Knights' pass.

MUNDFORD U11 travelled to play Harling Colts in a top-of-the-table clash. After an even start Mundford began to get on top with the midfield of Jack Pinner, John Pearce, Sam Long and Joe Zipfell gaining the upper hand and from one flowing move Ryan Harvey danced his way into the box only to be floored and the same player slotted home the resulting penalty. Almost immediately Michael Corbyn won the ball for Zipfell to slip Harvey through to bang home his second, he grabbed his hat-trick right on half-time after Long's incisive pass. Harling came out strong but found Ben Wells, Roberto Alves, Dean Scott, George Hammond, Jack Sutterby and Todd Hucherson in defiant form. Harry Walker worked the ball out to John Pearce who scored and Ryan Harvey slotted home two cool finishes after more quality work from Long and Zipfell. Final score Harling 0, Mundford 6. MoM: Ryan Harvey.

MUNDFORD U14 played away to Hellesdon in the second round of the Norfolk Minor Cup, and were comfortable 7-1 winners. Mundford took control from the start, but missed several chances. The scoring was opened when a throw-in from Archie Blakemore, found the feet of Samuel Bunten, who slotted it past the keeper. They continued to pressure, and were rewarded when Casey Underwood chipped the advancing keeper. On the one occasion that Hellesdon broke through, Adam Whybrow made a great save. Mundford continued to dominate in the second half, and Ben Peacock soon made it 3-0. A lack of concentration in Mundford's defence led to Hellesdon scoring, but Mundford fought back when a corner from Mason Thorogood was headed in by Underwood for 4-1. Ben Peacock headed in Mundford's fifth goal, and Underwood completed his hat-trick for 6-1. A foul on Levi Jagroop led to a superbly executed penalty from Thorogood, for a final score of 7-1. A good team performance, with great play from Aiden Bond in defence.

THETFORD TOWN U12 hosted Wymondham and came away with a 6-0 victory. Town started slowly, allowing Wymondham time on the ball to play some football. Eventually Town got the ball down and started playing some superb football which resulted in Daniel scoring from Jack's good pass. Daniel added his second and soon after Max made it three after linking up well with Daniel, who soon completed his hat-trick before Max scored again and Vetor scored his first goal for the team. Half time 6-0. The second half started with Town having all the play and

came close, adding further goals with Domonik hitting the bar from long range and Luke having a shot cleared off the line and also some fine saves from the opposition keeper kept the score down, and the Town defence and Spencer in goal had nothing to do. Wymondham MoM: Daniel. Town MoM: Taylor.

WEETING U10 take a good lead into the second leg after an 11-1 home win over Mulbarton. Weeting scored their fastest goal in their history as straight from the kick-off N Ward fired then in front after only 15 seconds. Two more goals went in, in the next two minutes, once again N Ward scored followed by M McCready. J Peeling then added number four from out on the touch line and the quarter ended with J Peach forcing the ball home from close range. The second and third quarters saw the home team failing to score but were unlucky on lots of occasion as the frame of the goal was hit six times and the keeper pulled off some excellent saves. The visitors scored a consolation. The final quarter belong to M McCready who went on a goal rampage, scoring four more times for a tally of five for the match, N Ward then fired in a penalty for his hat-trick, and the final goal was an own goal when the ball was saved again by the Mulbarton keeper but saw it hit his own player to roll into the net. MoM: N Ward. PoD: J Peeling.

THETFORD BULLDGOS U9 travelled to leaders Wymondham and the two teams produced an absolutely top-drawer match. Wymondham, who have scored over nine goals each week, are without a doubt the best team in the league. Bulldogs were without goal machine Rhys, who was unavailable. Wymondham struck twice quickly to take a 2-0 lead. In the second quarter Bulldogs introduced Keiron and his power made the difference. Pedro was having a superb game at the back and Bulldogs started to get into the game, with hard tackling. Bulldogs got back into it when Keiron' excellent cross was converted comfortably by Daniel. The teams continued to serve up an excellent match in the next quarter and both teams had chances, but Pedro cemented his dominance by winning everything. In the last quarter Bulldogs dominated and Luke's free-kick was heart-breakingly headed against a post by Lewis. In the last minute with everyone, including John, upfield, Wymondham broke and made it 3-1 to kill the match. Bulldogs can be very proud of giving the best team in the league, probably the county, a great game and now look forward to the Indies game. MoM: Pedro, who was absoulutely sensational.

THETFORD BULLDOGS U11 hosted Scole and started very well, with Aigazs finding the net for 1-0. Soon after, Daniel Stevens made it 2-0, and then Andre Marco finished off a cross well for 3-0. Scole were then awarded a penalty, which Joseph nearly saved. Jospeh was then forced into some good saves, but Scole scored from a free-kick to make it 3-2 and get back in the game. Scole dominated the second half and eventually won 5-3.

THETFORD INDEPENDENTS U9A, after a break of three weeks with postponements, got back to winning ways with an emphatic 19-1 victory over Garboldisham. The opening five minutes of the game gave Indies cause for concern after Garboldisham quickly levelled following an early Connor Noble goal. Indies went on to dominate the rest of the game with Noble netting shortly after. Two goals from Alfie Cooper were followed by another from Noble, completing his hat-trick in quick time. Aiden Try found the net from a corner, to make it 6-1. In the second quarter a cross from Cooper was met by Noble at the far post who soon after scored his fifth and arguably, best goal of the game when a good through-ball from Kehan Whitby found Noble who confidently toed the ball past the keeper from distance. Aiden Try then netted goals nine and ten for Indies with the second of those goals the pick of the bunch after Try left his marker, drove inside and tucked the ball away from the edge of the penalty area. Noble completed the scoring in the second quarter to make the half-time score 11-1. Noble put two more away with a fourth goal from Try sandwiched in between. Any breaks were comfortably dealt with by Jamie Humphrey. Kehan Whitby, who had fought hard throughout the game, was rewarded with his first goal early in the final quarter, driving down the right before striking the ball neatly into the back of the net. Noble's ninth and tenth goals of the game soon followed, rounding off a well-deserved MoM display. A long throw by Try was met by Whitby's head for his second goal of the game before an extremely patient Konnor Dixon, who had been solid in defence all game, scored Indies' 19th and final goal, finishing off a long run from the back of the pitch in style.

THETFORD INDEPENDENTS U9B (Red Dragons) played Harling in the Trophy Cup in inclement weather. Towards the end of the first quarter, Indies weren't gelling at first but then got more comfortable as a team, raising the pressure on Harling. The pressure grew and Fowles found himself in front of the goal with the ball and scored. Having a taste for it now, Fowles scored again from the corner of the box after an express delivery from the Indies goal by Heathershaw. The second quarter started confidently. McGill's determination in midfield was rewarded with an opportunity which was taken and thoroughly exploited. Breaking free, he dodged his opponent and a difficult pass made in brisk fashion, enabling Fowles to score again five minutes in. Harling raised their game and matched the pressure, hungry for an equaliser. For the Indies, here began the hard slog of defending their lead in miserable weather. For the rest of the match, great saves and kicks from handy Heathershaw behind some solid defence from Batram-Gorzelak, Wilkinson with Brown and McGill joining in, keeping Harling frustrated. Blake, Brown and McGill enthusiastically kept pushing the ball up against the considerable headwind, providing several chances for Richardson. With only one goal conceded in the third quarter, the Indies secured a well-deserved victory three goals to Harling's one.

THETFORD INDEPENDENTS U9B (RED DRAGONS) were hoping they would repeat last week's success against Harling. The Indies knew, however, that the smaller pitch at Harling meant that chance would be an important factor in the game. The Indies started confidently and enthusiastically with good passing and flexibility. Sustained pressure on Harling from Blake, Fowles and Richardson gave Blake an opportunity with a loose ball in front of Harling's goal which he managed to drive home. The teams were well matched, creating great excitement for the spectators. More of the same in the second quarter with a couple of great chances, one for McGill set up by Fowles and another for Fowles himself. In the second half, Harling tightened up and started the comeback. There were plenty more challenges for Heathershaw, Bartram-Gorzelak, McGill and Wilkinson as they populated defence and plenty of challenges for Bernard behind them. In the third quarter, the challenges were comfortably repulsed. Indies' confidence was increased with a brilliantly aimed corner from Heathershaw and the ball went in off their near-post defender, taking the score to 2-0. The fourth quarter saw Indies concede two goals in quick succession but managed to prevent a loss. Final score was 2-2. MoM: Bernard.

THETFORD INDEPENDENTS U10 travelled to Harling in terrible weather conditions. Indies took the game straight away to the home side, Ben Daynes putting the away side 1-0 up, Harling regrouped and put in a leveller 1-1. Indies continued as they started, Klae Tucker making 2-1 to Indies. But again Harling fought back to make it 2-2. The match continued to go back and forth with Indies taking the lead on a total of five occasions, with further goals from Ryan Fox, Reece Rudd and Ben Daynes but Harling kept coming back in torrential rain, great saves from Alain Koch kept the game level. But just when Indies thought they were in for an away point, Harling scored twice to make it 7-5. Great team play from Taylor Vickers, Aaron Bayford, Justin Halford and Harrison Lambe made this an entertaining match and Indies were just unlucky to come away from the game empty handed. MoM: Taylor Vickers.

WATTON U15 played Wymondham on Sunday but seemed to be disorganised and soon conceded the first goal. Another was to follow after a great Wymondham strike from 25 yards beat the Watton keeper over his head. On the attack, the Watton lads began to create chances. Wymondham were saved by the crossbar from a Sol snapshot, and eventually the home team were rewarded with a Jason thunder strike from outside the Wymondham penalty area. In the second half the Watton lads had more purpose and controlled the width of the pitch. Bruno was having a real battle with a strong Wymondham defence and eventually linked up with Mikey, who was to score for Watton to make the score 2-2. Although Watton now looked the most likely team to score again, hitting the crossbar on a further two occasions, it was the away team who would have stolen a goal were it not for some great defending from Lewis, Joe and Fitzy. The Watton lads showed great spirit to come back from 2-0 down and there were some fine performances from many of the lads. MoM: Fitzy.

WATTON U12 were away against Rocklands. Watton were slow to start but still played some lovely football but rarely threatened Rocklands goal. Connor in goal was brave and at his best for this game, Lewis and Dave were superb as centre-backs, James and Jamie were defending well. Cammy showed some glimpses of what he can do in first half with Luke battling and working so hard. Jack and Matty on the wings were working well, creating a lot for Jimmy and Lee. Watton went 1-0 down in the first half which Rocklands deserved. The second half started and Perry laid the ball back to Cammy who crossed a great ball to Matty who in turn passed a quality ball to Jack who smashed in to make it 1-1. Callum, who had came on, was working hard. Watton then gifted Rocklands three quick goals which you cannot do to a team as good as Rocklands. But Watton's heads did not drop. Cammy and Luke took control and Jack and Matty started to do what their manager knows they are capable of. Luke passed to Jack who shot but the keeper saved. Then the same combination Cammy to Perry, who played it to Matty who put a great cross in for Jack who slotted his second. Watton were pressing hard and got a corner, Cammy hit a great cross which Lewis smashed, with a beautiful header, into the roof of the net. Watton were working really hard against a very strong Rocklands. Lewis and David were snuffing out most attacks and Connor saved anything else. Watton had another great chance with a great short throw between Jack and Cammy, he crossed superbly to Perry who did well to get something on it, unluckily it just went over the crossbar. The game finished 4-3 to Rocklands. Joint MoM: Luke Goodge and Lewis Hart. Watton U12 are looking to bring in some new players to add to their squad. They are a small squad who play in the Norwich B League. They would like some more players to come and challenge the existing squad. They have a great team spirit and the coach is a qualified coach, CRB checked. They train Monday nights at 5.30pm at Watton Sports Centre or you can call Paul Jones on 01953 886663.

WATTON U10 took a break from league action to face Rocklands at home in the cup, and another good display saw them come away with a comfortable first-leg lead. Watton's superiority was clear from the start, but it took almost 15 minutes for Watton to make the breakthrough, as Joshua Walker put pressure on the Rocklands defence, and he latched onto a short pass back to guide the ball past the advancing keeper. The second quarter saw Watton up the tempo, and some tremendous team play saw a host of chances created, which resulted in a another four goals being scored. A first from James Beaumont, followed by a tap-in from Oliver Kerrison, an own goal, and a second from Joshua put Watton in total control. Watton relaxed a little in the third quarter, and although Kade Bond and Liam Owen were again outstanding in defence, Asher Duncan still had to make a couple of smart saves to keep Watton's lead, but another fine goal from James, however, made it 6-0. Watton switched things around in the last quarter, with the ever-improving Matty Hendrie and James dropping into defence, and Joshua playing in central midfield, but Watton still continued to pass the ball around superbly. Oliver and Ben Walker, out wide, also ran the visitors ragged, creating a number of chances for their team-mates. The woodwork and some excellent saves from the Rocklands keeper kept the score down, but two more goals from James, to take his tally to four for the game, and another from Sam Bray gave a final score of Watton 9, Rocklands 0.