MATCH RESULTS AND REPORTS
East Anglian Counties Competition 2008/09
09.04.09
Norfolk 3 - 2 Suffolk
at Clipbush Park, Fakenham
Norfolk clinched the title in thrilling style with a 3-2 victory over local rivals Suffolk. Norfolk fielded the same eleven that had started in the draw with leaders Essex the previous week but made a nervy start, with Suffolk dominating the early exchanges.
After 11 minutes Norfolk created their first opening, with a good Alex Fitzgerald cross being volleyed just over the bar by Luke Winter. Winter then beat two players as he burst through from midfield but was unable to produce a finish. A dangerous free kick from Suffolk then caused major uncertainty in the home area, with the ball bouncing just past the post. The referee was being kept busy, with a number of free kicks being awarded as the play became scrappy. Gradually though Norfolk were finding their feet and Winter, Chris Hall and Fitzgerald all had decent chances to score before the break.
Norfolk manager Tom Parke made a tactical substitution at half time, taking off Michael Sommerfield and bringing on Jacob McCabe, knowing that they had to score at least twice to take the title. Norfolk came out flying, with Joel Brien hitting a shot from the edge of the area just wide and Fitzgerald then lobbing the ball just past the post.
The home side were not to be denied though and a surging run and ball across the six yard box from Winter was bundled home by Fitzgerald after 52 minutes. Within 5 minutes the Norfolk contingent in a large crowd at Clipbush Park were celebrating again as John Carrier produced a mazy run past the Suffolk defence and squared the ball to Hall who scored from close range.
Carrier was revelling in his new midfield role and a crude challenge on him by Curry quite rightly saw the Suffolk player booked. Norfolk now had the lead they required but were given a scare when Suffolk clipped the top of the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Norfolk’s relief was short lived though, with Suffolk halving the deficit after 75 minutes when a defence splitting pass found Grint who lobbed keeper Kyle Talbot.
Knowing they now had to score another goal to claim the title Norfolk produced the kind of spirit that has been seen all season, restoring their two goal advantage within a minute. This time Hall ran across the edge of the visitor’s area and found Carrier, who cut inside his marker and produced a superb finish into the bottom corner of the net.
Hall had a great chance to make the game safe when he intercepted a quick free kick only to shoot wide with the goal at his mercy before Norfolk brought on Jordan Rocastle and Marcus Godbold to freshen things up. However there was yet more drama to follow, with Suffolk being awarded a penalty in the fifth minute of injury time for handball inside the area. Grint beat Talbot for a second time but Norfolk held on, winning the title by a single goal from second placed Essex. Luke Winter was named Man of the Match, while Marcus Godbold received his county cap.
It was a superb night for Norfolk football. The management team of Tom Parke, Ross Potter and Lee Perry deserve great praise for producing a talented side with a great team spirit.
26.03.09
Essex 0 - 0 Norfolk
at Harwich FC
Norfolk travelled to Essex knowing that a win for the home side would see them lift the league title, while any other score line would give Norfolk with a fighting chance of winning it themselves.
There were two changes from the side that beat Cambridgeshire earlier in the month, James Hadley came into the back four at the expense of Marcus Godbold and a late call off by Alex Street saw Kyle Talbot take his place between the posts.
The home side kicked off and soon had Norfolk pegged back without causing any real danger. After the visitors had settled they created the first good chance of the game when Alex Fitzgerald headed wide after good work by John Carrier. Michael Sommerfield then caused the home goalkeeper some concern when a free kick from some 35 yards flashed just wide of the post.
Essex were looking dangerous down the left hand side and a cross from Hunter found Scarlet inside the penalty area, but after a good turn his shot was saved by Talbot. At the other end Norfolk almost got their noses in front after fine work by Joel Brien on the left resulted in a glancing header from Luke Winter that clipped the top of the crossbar.
There then followed a seven minute delay when Talbot required lengthy treatment after being challenged by Hunter as he gathered a cross. The home forward was spoken to be the referee but no further action was taken. From the restart Sommerfield and Chris Hall combined well on the edge of the Essex area only to see Hall’s volley fly across the face of the goal.
Norfolk were beginning to dominate and again almost took the lead when captain Winter broke through the home defence only to see his clever chip over the keeper headed clear by an Essex defender. On the stroke of half-time Scarlett went close for the home side, before play again swung to the other end where Fitzgerald, who had been excellent during the first period, went on a solo run that ended with a shot that just cleared the crossbar.
Norfolk attacked straight from the re-start and Winter made it to the by-line, only to see his cross ushered out for a corner that came to nothing. Fitzgerald then produced a brave header when challenged by Batchford in the home goal, but once again a home defender got back to clear as the ball headed for the empty net.
Knowing what was stake, the home side tried to exert some pressure of their own but the Norfolk back line stood firm and James Hadley, who was having an outstanding debut, was on hand to clear a dangerous cross from the left.
In the 75 minute Norfolk thought they had been awarded a penalty when Fitzgerald was brought down in the box, but the referee saw it as a free kick to the home side. Norfolk raised their game again and were looking like the side most likely to take the points.
Carrier fired a free kick just over and then a storming run from the back by Patrick Yates led to a chance for Sommerfield who shot over.
With ten minutes left Liam Stockell came on to replace Chris Hall and almost made a name for himself immediately as the ball found him in space at the back post but he was unable to hit the target. Stockell then had another great chance but shot wildly when well placed.
In the final minute the visitors once again thought they should have had a penalty when Winter was wrestled to the ground, but once again the referee gave the kick to the home side. Essex were now pinned back deep into their own half as Norfolk searched for the winner their second half performance deserved. A long throw by Stockell caused havoc in the Essex area but the finish from Daniel Cook was again agonisingly close. With the game now into the 95 minute a fumble by Batchford on the edge of his box almost proved costly, but Winter’s lob over the keeper again just cleared the crossbar.
This proved to be the last kick of the game, giving Norfolk a point and a real chance of lifting the title when they face Suffolk in their final game of the season on Thursday at Fakenham FC. Let’s hope there’s a big crowd to cheer the boys on.
Man of the Match: Luke Winter.
18.03.09
Norfolk 3 - 1 Cambridgeshire
at Clipbush Park, Fakenham
After a long wait Norfolk were finally back in action on Wednesday evening when they faced Cambridgeshire at Clipbush Park, Fakenham.
Through no fault of their own, this was the county’s first match since November 15 and the boys started the game determined to make up for lost time. On 7 minutes they took the lead. After winning a corner on the right, John Carrier’s kick was met at the far post by Chris Hall who forced the ball home.
The goal brought a positive response from Cambridgeshire and within a minute the lively Dubi Ogbonna broke into the Norfolk area, only to shoot straight at keeper Alex Street.
The game was being played at a furious pace, with nobody getting too long on the ball, but on 15 minutes a good piece of work from Will Young brought another decent save from Street.
The home side were being pegged back, but the back four of Carrier, Sam Goff, Patrick Yates and Marcus Godbold were holding firm and restricting the visitors to few clear cut chances.
As the game progressed play become scrappy and Norfolk’s only effort of note was a 35 yard free kick by Carrier which flew just wide. But on 37 minutes another Carrier free kick led to the home side going two ahead. His cross found the head of Michael Sommerfield, whose powerful effort was fumbled over the line by the unfortunate Jack Mathews.
Again the visitors responded well and only a superb save by Street prevented Ogbonna from reducing arrears. A rare slip by Goff then let in Lewis Taffe, but he shot wide when well placed. Norfolk went in at the break with a two goal lead, which perhaps slightly flattered them.
The visitors started the second half brightly, but once again were unable to find an end product. There was a lengthy delay as Sommerfield received treatment for an injury, but he was soon back in the action and started the move which led to the third goal.
The ball was played into the feet of Alex Fitzgerald who combined with Luke Winter to set up a shot for the latter from the edge of the area which took a deflection and left the Cambridgeshire keeper helpless.
Buoyed by the third goal, Norfolk were starting to produce some better play and began to dominate, with Hall and Fitzgerald receiving more of the ball in forward positions.
After a good spell of play from the home side, it was the visitors who were next to score. Sam Mason-Smith was pulled down in the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Young thumped home the penalty.
Rather than sit back on their lead, Norfolk took the game to the visitors with Joel Brien, Carrier and Winter all going close. With twelve minutes left, Brien was replaced by Nathan Watson and Cambridgeshire started to throw more men forward.
On 84 minutes Luke Parkinson had a great chance to make it a nervy finish, but he blasted wide from close range.
Cambridgeshire’s final effort came when a Hipwell free kick from distance forced Street to push the ball out for a corner.
As Norfolk ran the clock down, Sam Watts and Jordan Rocastle came on to replace Hall and Summerfield. This was a good result for Norfolk, in what was a very competitive game. They now go to face Essex on March 26 in great heart.
15.11.08
The FA County Youth Cup, Round 2
Norfolk U18’s 1 - 2 Hampshire U18’s
at Watton Sports Centre
Norfolk faced the County that knocked them out of the same competition last season at a blustery Watton FC. The visitors kicked off, but it was Norfolk who created the first opening when Luke Winter sent Alex Fitzgerald away on the right, but his finish failed to trouble Hampshire keeper Craig Lisher. A few minutes later Winter was once again involved in the action when his cross flashed across the face of the visitors goal with nobody available to add the finishing touch.
Norfolk were dominating the game without creating any real chances, whilst Scott Jones was playing well in the visitors midfield. On 26 minutes a corner for the home side fell to Joel Brien on the edge of the area but he was fouled by Levi Collins as he shaped to shoot. From the resultant free kick Winter had an effort well saved by the legs of keeper Lisher.
The game burst into life in the 32nd minute as the visitors were awarded a free kick 25 yards from the home goal. The powerful strike by Scott Jones was charged down by Fitzgerald two yards outside the area as he flung himself into the shot. To the amazement of most, not only did the referee deem the block to be handball but also awarded a penalty when the block looked to have taken place outside the box. Fitzgerald was booked for his protests, but the controversy didn’t end there. When Steven Norris brilliantly saved the spot kick from Jones he was then sent off for something said in his over exuberant celebration. The unfortunate Chris Hall was immediately taken off and replaced by Alex Street the substitute keeper.
The whole episode had taken over five minutes and had certainly livened up the afternoon. Norfolk responded well and in their next attack they were also awarded a penalty when Marcus Godbold was barged off the ball on the edge of the area. Winter stepped up to send Lisher the wrong way and put Norfolk one up. Rather than sit back Norfolk stepped up the pace of the game and only two good saves by Lisher prevented the home side extending their lead before the break.
Despite being down to 10 men Norfolk began the second period as they had finished the first, dominating the game. A free kick by debutant John Carrier failed to trouble the keeper but then a superb flowing move involving Godbold Lewis Osborn and Carrier ended with Fitzgerald heading a golden opportunity wide.
In the 66th the visitors earned themselves a corner and against the run of play grabbed an equaliser when the ball fell to substitute Duncan Cleary on the edge of the area and his shot found the net through a ruck of players.
Back came the ten men and brilliant work by Carrier set up a chance for Godbold but his shot was turned away by Lisher. From the resultant corner Patrick Yates headed just over. Still the visitors failed to apply any real pressure but the Norfolk players were becoming tired and this showed when Godbold was booked for a poor tackle on Jones.
In the 83rd minute, Brien turned sharply in the visitor’s box but his cross shot flew agonisingly wide. As the game looked to be heading for extra time Hampshire finally began to push back the depleted home side and in the 91st minute disaster struck when the visitors snatched the winner with only their third attempt on goal during the game. Josh Drew tucked the ball home after Street had brilliantly blocked an effort from Jones.
The Norfolk side had given their all to the cause and the final score, extremely harsh. However, both sets of players and officials enjoyed the hospitality of Watton Golf Club after the match
27.09.08
Norfolk 3 - 2 Bedfordshire
at Watton Sports Centre
Before the game there was a minute’s applause in memory of Sprowston Wanderers player Shaun Bunn who sadly died last week.
Beds kicked off in glorious sunshine at Watton, and after two minutes a mix up in the Norfolk defence gave a chance to Bickerstaff, whose effort landed on the roof of the home goal. Norfolk moved forward and from their first real attack were awarded an indirect free kick in the box after Beds keeper Blower was adjudged to have picked up a back pass. Winter laid the ball back to Latimer, whose shot was blocked on the line, Godbold, following up, put the rebound wide. On twelve minutes, good work by Latimer created a shooting chance for Fitzgerald but the busy forward put the ball wide. Despite the bright start by the visitors, it was Norfolk who were now playing the better football and knocked the ball around well. A long free kick by Godbold just eluded in incoming Goff at the far post and then more good work by Latimer, produced a bout of head tennis in the visitors box and when the ball came down Latimer was there to fire wide of the upright. A surging run by Watts was met by the incoming Fitzgerald and his first time effort went agonisingly wide. After a period of domination, Norfolk fell behind in the 36th minute when Vaughan found himself with space in the penalty area to fire past Street. The goal gave the visitors a renewed confidence and only good work by Goff and Yates prevented a second goal. On the stroke of half time Winter fired in a great effort which was superbly tipped onto the bar by Blower.
Osborn replaced the injured Wilson for the home side, who started the second period on the attack, and a good pass by Hall almost put Brien in on goal. Hall was next to have a strike on goal, but his effort was pushed over by Blower. From the resultant corner, a scramble ensued but Norfolk failed to take advantage. On fifty minutes Norfolk keeper Street saved comfortably from Morgan but then superbly tipped a thirty yard rocket from Shah onto the crossbar. The referee then produced the first yellow card of the day , when he booked Brien of Norfolk for a late tackle on Newman. As the game approached the hour mark, a last ditch tackle by Godbold prevented the visitors from going two up, and it proved to be a turning point as in their next attack, Norfolk gained a penalty after Brien was pulled down by Gifford. Winter coolly equalised from the spot. Five minutes later the home side took the lead. Winter put Latimer away and as he cut into the area his low cross was met by Osborn who smacked the ball home from close range. This produced a good response from the visitors and a cross along the Norfolk six yard box was met by Lawler but his effort was superbly blocked by Watts. Latimer broke clear for Norfolk only to be denied again by the impressive Blower. The game was now becoming end to end stuff and Goff was unlucky to see his header from a corner blocked on the line. In the 71st minute Jones replaced the tiring Winter for the home side. With fifteen minutes left, Osborn put Hall through and he too saw Blower produce a save. Godbold then went down in pain after seeming to turn badly and he had to be helped off and replaced by Gainsford. A surging run by Hall set up a chance for Gainsford, but he finished weakly, but in the 81st minute Brien put Norfolk 3-1 ahead with a twenty yard volley that would have graced any game. But yet again, back came the visitors and with five minutes left referee Myhill awarded them a soft looking penalty when Jones was adjudged to have fouled Morgan, who picked himself up to score from the spot. The visitors almost snatched a dramatic equaliser in time added on when a strike from Lawler rattled the post and Newman fired the rebound wide of an open goal. The full time whistle soon followed, to the delight of new manager Tom Parke who will have been pleased with the performance and commitment of his players. The Representative Committee voted Patrick Yates as their man of the match.