Wymondham/Hethersett area

WYMONDHAM RANGERS RESERVES travelled to Hellesdon to play a lively Moles Rest side. It proved to be the Reserves first defeat of the season. Having a depleted squad due to call-ups the Reserves had to play without three of their first-choice back four. This proved to be their undoing. The game finished 3-1 to Moles Rest with Pattison netting the Wymondham goal. Rangers Reserves need to pick themselves up next Sunday and bounce back from this defeat. Despite this defeat there were still some good performances from Craig Wright, Will Morris, Ben Palmer, James Cooper and captain Paul Goldsmith. MoM: Gareth Barker. Home next week 10.30am, Browick Road Rec.

WYMONDHAM Rangers entertained the Grove last week and struggled in torrential rain and howling wind. The visitors settled well in the first half and Rangers were lucky to come in at the break just 2-1 down after Jimmy McCloy grabbed a lifeline just before the break. In the second period Rangers started to get to grips with the conditions and created numerous chances but poor finishing and good goalkeeping saw them squander every chance, the visitors however converted nearly every chance they created and ran out 5-1 winners. Rangers travelled to play Dog House this Sunday and with six first team regulars unavailable fielded an under-strength team but came away with their heads held high. Dog House opened the scoring after just five minutes when slack marking allowed a free header at a set piece and Wymondham looked rattled. After ten minutes Stuart Felgate hit a speculative long-range effort that had the home keeper scrambling backwards but it went just over. Rob Brown then had a glorious chance to level the scores but saw his effort well saved, Dog House then doubled their lead with a goal that took some believing when Rangers keeper Lee Aldridge kicked long but saw a player meet his kick 60 odd yards out and send it straight back over his head to give the home side a flattering 2-0 half- time lead. Rangers continued where they left off in the second half and took the game to Dog House but could not turn possession and pressure into goals. Webb, Felgate and Harrison were immense at the back and with Speller, Clarke, Brown, McCloy and Butler were all holding their own across midfield with Whitman and debutant Blowers running themselves into the ground up front it was only a matter of time before Rangers scored and Jimmy McCloy duly obliged but with only six minutes remaining. This proved to be the only goal of the second half, leaving Rangers 2-1 losers to a freak 60-yard goal. Credit to all who played in the game including Danny Smith who came off the bench to play his part and all can be proud to call themselves Rangers. MoM: Andy Blowers who came out of retirement to help out when the club was short and was immense for 90 minutes.

WYMONDHAM had the difficult task of playing Swanton, second in the table and unbeaten this season. The game started at a quick pace, but it wasn't until the 23rd minute when Swanton opened the scoring, a midfielder picking the ball up and striking it into the top right-hand corner. Wymondham equalised about 10 minutes later, Laura Parry and Georgie winning the ball, Helen crossing and Elle heading the equaliser, which was fully deserved after some great Wymondham pressure. During the first half, Helen and Vicky picked up knocks after late challenges from Swanton players in what was a physical game from start to finish. Wymondham were pegged back early into the second half, Swanton taking the lead after scoring early on, and the game slowed down. Wymondham applied pressure throughout the second half, with chances falling to Mowgli and Elle but it just wasn't to be. Wymondham played really well showing their grit and determination which deserved more than what they got. Wymondham's player of the match went to Elle Hyam who put the Swanton defence under pressure all day long but Laura Fletcher and Katie Rumble were the days other top performers. Final score 3-1. Wymondham have a break of one week, before playing Coltishall away on November 22.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC GIRLS U14 travelled to Red Rose and came away with a 5-0 victory. Hethersett controlled the opening half with some fine passing football culminating in Sophie Rock running onto a through-ball to coolly slot past the keeper. Further pressure led to a second for Rock on 18 minutes from a well-worked corner. They made it three when Ella Stephenson responded first when a Rock shot was parried by the keeper. Just before half-time Rock completed her hat-trick with a long shot. Red Rose raised their game after the break but Hethersett scored a fifth when Stephenson displayed all her skills to score a fine goal.

Hethersett Athletic Girls U17 looked out of sorts against Swindell Girls after several weeks without a game. Two goals from Rhianne Brister gave them a half-time lead. They looked much brighter after the break with Hannah Waters hitting a hat-trick and Lauren Matthews scoring a fine goal to make the final scoreline 6-0.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U15 visited Hellesdon and came away with a 7-3 win. Hethersett had good possession in the first half but missed their opportunities and Hellesdon took a 2-0 lead. Josh Wilcox pulled a goal back. The second half saw a resurgent Hethersett up their game with some slick passing and a strong desire to win. Hethersett scored twice to take the lead, only for Hellesdon to get back on level terms. Then Hethersett gained full control to add four more goals. Hethersett scorers were Josh Wilcox 2, Janis Reintjes 2, Declan Leigh, Alex Richardson and Stuart Dix.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U11 played well to beat Mulbarton 8-0. Key players played to their usual high standards and Henry Denny opened the scoring after 10 minutes. Denny went on to score a first- half hat-trick to give his side a 3-0 lead at the break. Daniel Mehtab added a fourth and then Tyler White took over with a hat-trick which was just reward for his consistent performance. Hethersett's other goal came from Ross Simpson who beat two defenders before slotting home a fine individual goal. Man of the match was Tyler White for another impressive performance.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U13 suffered the worst possible start conceding a first-minute goal to league leaders Lakeford. The visitors found it difficult to contain Lakeford's towering striker who was instrumental in giving the hosts a 4-0 half-time lead. Hethersett showed their superb character throughout and played the better football after the break and were unlucky not to score. Lakeford scored a late breakaway goal to gain a rather flattering 5-0 win. Tom Reed, Jack Walker and Josh Denny took the eye in a Hethersett performance of great commitment.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC SUNDAY RESERVES are beginning to find their form as the mix of experience and youth begins to gel. They took on fourth-placed Wilco Fastfit and put in a good performance to win 3-0 thanks to goals from Henry Dyson, Matt Steward and Adam Waters.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC SUNDAY A drew 2-2 at home to Spixworth Reserves with their goals coming from Dominic Doggett and Andy Smith.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC SATURDAY had their shooting boots on as they demolished Narborough Reserves 9-0 in the Crown Fire Pease Cup. Top scorer Danny Gray hit five, Adam Waters and James Winter-Whittaker hit two each. Hethersett will play Northwold Sports and Social Club in the quarter-finals at home on December 12.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC U16 visited Norman in the cup and went down 8-4 with their goals coming from Dominic Frost, Darren Ford, Jonathan Bailey and Jake Keeley.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC YOUTH: The U14s lost 4-0 at Fakenham in the second round of the Norfolk Minor Cup. The U12s had a comfortable 6-0 home win over Attleborough with two goals each for Lewis Baxter and Connor Stearman and one each for Ashley Gray and Conrad Doggett. Hethersett U12, after several defeats, came out against Attleborough with a new-found vigour. Both teams fought hard for 25 minutes until an Ashley Gray corner was homed in by Lewis Baxter. The second half started off with the same determination as the first but then Hethersett started a convincing run of play which well and truly sealed the match for them. Hethersett got their second from a header by Connor Steardman, two minutes later a goalmouth scramble got Hethersett's third with Conrad Doggett getting the final touch. Number four came a few minutes later with a free kick by Ashley Gray 20 yards from the Attleborough area which was finished off by Connor Stearman. Lewis Baxter then scored his second of the game and then Ashley Gray made it 6-0 to Hethersett. Well done to all including manager Mark Pummell and assistant James Julian for all the extra effort this week.

DISS TOWN U10 TIGERS had a well-deserved 2-0 away win in their South Norfolk Youth League Cup tie against New Buckenham. New Bucks had several chances, hitting the woodwork more than once but Diss Town's Samuel Seymour-Blackburn and Kyle Warren defended well, holding them off. Diss Town showed great passing skills which resulted in two goals for Isaac Holliday. Well done Diss.

WYMONDHAM TOWN UNITED U12 played in an excellent match and secured their second victory of the season with a deserved victory against Scole. Possession was evenly balanced early on with both sides trying to play neat passing football. Each side broke forward well but their final pass into the penalty area lacked accuracy and defenders were well positioned to make important interceptions. Matthew and Bradley made some great tackles throughout whilst Jamie in the centre of defence produced a commanding display. WTU took the lead when Lewis earned a free kick just outside the penalty box and Jamie confidently stepped up to send a hammer shot into the top corner of the net. Confidence grew from the Wymondham players and Oliver started to probe the Scole defence with a number of good passes whilst Tom F broke forward well to create good possession on the left between himself and Chris. On the right side Daniel once again worked his flank well. Nathan wriggled through the Scole defence just before the interval but his shot glanced off a post to safety. In the second half Scole put together a number of good passing moves which stretched the Wymondham defence at times but Tom W and Luke L made important interceptions and the whole back four played with improved organisation. James made a crucial save when he blocked a good header but WYU continued to break forward well and Billy and Chris had good efforts saved. Luke W also released Lewis with a good pass but his shot was just off target. The WTU players continued to concentrate and tackle right to the end and deserved their 1-0 win. PoM: Jamie Harris, great defensive display and excellent goal.

WYMONDHAM TOWN U15 travelled to Watton with no subs and an untried team with numerous boys unavailable. The team rose to the challenge and played really well, taking the game to Watton. The majority of early chances fell to Wymondham, with Keiran Murrell scoring following a mazy run down the left wing. Wymondham scored their second following good work from Josh Felice to create a corner. Nathan Lawson put one of his usual excellent corners in, there was confusion in the box and as the ball broke out to Nathan Wellsby-Burrows he hit a strong right foot from outside the area which sailed into the top-left corner. Wymondham's team began to flag as half-time approached, Watton won a corner which Wymondham failed to clear, Josh Moon made an excellent attempt to stop a strong shot, but the ball just got through. It ended 2-1 at half time. The second half started much as the first with Charles Large making a nuisance of himself with strong runs, the midfield continued to battle hard and the defence looked solid. Unfortunately, Wymondham switched off and Watton scored a goal straight through the middle. Wymondham continued to have chances with Toby Wyatt and new player Tom coming close. The last few minutes did see Watton push on but as a tired-looking Wymondham fought hard for a well-deserved draw. All played well with MoM honours going to Nathan Lawson.

WYMONDHAM TOWN UTD U9 beat Thetford Bulldogs 3-1. After a week off and then a match abandoned at half time Town were looking to get a full game in this week against Thetford Bulldogs, who were second in the league just behind them. Expecting a tough match, Town were not to be disappointed. Thetford let us know early on this was not going to be easy and were very determined in their tackling. Jacob Bush started in fine form down the left wing and was causing them problems. Thetford set out to stifle Town and it was working until Henry Metcalf turned his marker and put the ball through his legs and was clear on goal, as the keeper started to come out Henry drove the ball high into the net for 1-0. Moments later after a clearance Jacob picked the ball up on the edge of their box and drove superbly into the bottom corner 2-0 Town. At this point weaker opposition could have crumbled, but not Thetford as they broke clear to slot home past Lewis Thurston, 2-1 game on again. The game was a midfield battle at this stage with Luke Hunt, as always, looking to get the ball down to start Town attacks. Sonny Clarke was working tirelessly and battling hard in the middle of the park and when they did break through Charlie Gavin was immense, winning everything that could be thrown at him and, when called upon, Lewis's handling was excellent. The second half started and Curtis was introduced to see if he could unlock a mean Thetford defence and he worked hard for the few things that came his way. Later in the second half Jamie Blanchflower came on to help shore things up at the back and was reliable as ever, not putting a foot wrong. With 10 minutes to go Henry managed to get the wrong side of his marker and smashed a third high into the net for 3-1 Town. This was to cement a fine victory for the team; credit to all involved a battling victory. MoM: Charlie Gavin superb defensive performance. Opposition MoM: Jacob Bush.

WYMONDHAM TOWN UNITED U10 travelled to Firside and faced a bright and quick home side that took the game to Wymondham from the start. Some strong defending was needed, Sam Goldsmith and George Lenihan were up to the job and kept Firside away from the goalmouth for most of the first half. The home side missed a penalty which galvanised United into action with the tireless Jo Andrews breaking through two challenges to make the opponents' touchline. Andrews pulled the ball back across the face of goal to a waiting Tai Sayers at the far side. 'Tiger' Sayers took one touch at the edge of the area and let fly a peach of a shot that cannoned off the far corner of the post and crossbar to rebound goal side of the goal line, to the delight of the United crowd. Wymondham continued sensible and tidy football, both sides finding space in the opposition penalty areas. Anthony Animba, playing centre forward for United, was closely marked by the Firside number 10 and showed his strength and determination to win the battle for the long ball. It was only good defending from the Firside defence that kept United from scoring again before the break. The second half saw an unchanged Wymondham who opened with some coordinated passing play between the United forwards Jo Andrews, Marland Barsby and Anthony Animba. Firside put a chance wide when a throw-in was flicked on with a header. They managed to score just after a corner was cleared long by United and picked up by the solitary Animba who ran left, turned inside his marker at the edge of the area and drove a fierce right- footed shot just inside the near left post. Firside continued to battle but were not able to break through the defence and United keeper Anthony Walshe had little to do. Two chances well taken and two chances missed made the difference as Wymondham took the honours from an evenly matched game. Final score Firside U10 1, Wymondham Utd U10 2. MoM: George.