MATCH RESULTS AND REPORTS
East Anglian Counties Competition 2009/10
20 April 2010
Cambridgeshire 1 - 3 Norfolk
at Cambridge City FC
Norfolk travelled to the home of Cambridge City FC, knowing that victory would guarantee the Championship for the second successive season, any other result would give the home side a chance to take the trophy. Both sides made a tentative start with the first effort on goal not coming until the 8th minute when Stevenson of Cambridgeshire fired in a long range shot comfortably held by Matt Powley.
Norfolk’s first real foray into the home side’s area produced a penalty when Sam Applegate was adjudged to have been impeded as he surged through but unfortunately for the visitors Ben Latimer’s spot kick was pushed away by O’Connor in the home goal. Sam Page then hooked an effort wide and Ogbonna of Cambridgeshire almost caught Powley off of his line with a clever lob which landed on the roof of the net. On seventeen minutes a screaming drive from Joel Brien was tipped just over by O’Connor and from the resultant corner Ollie Thompson launched himself towards the ball but collided in mid air with the keeper. Thompson need urgent medical assistance and Norfolk physio Avril Soards wasted no time in calling for the paramedics. There was a hold up for twenty minutes and when the game re-started Norfolk looked quite lively and a Kenny Reeves lob was acrobatically cleared off of the line by Baxter. The home side then had a good period of domination in which Powley saved well from Ogbonna and James Hadley produced a terrific interception to stop Turner from scoring.
The visitors held firm though and went in front five minutes before the break. A long throw from Sam Applegate was met by a flicked header by Reeves which bounced twice on the top of the crossbar. As it dropped strike partner Page volleyed home from a tight angle. Taffe almost produced an instant reply but his well hit shot was just wide, and on the stroke of half time, Reeves was unlucky to see a shot on the turn miss the target.
Half Time Cambridgeshire 0 Norfolk 1
The start of the second half was somewhat scrappy, but Page almost added to his tally only for O’Connor to push his effort out for a corner which came to nothing. Knowing what was at stake Norfolk were beginning to look decidedly edgy, and only a brilliant tackle by Hadley prevented Turner from equalising. Slowly Norfolk began to regain a grip of the game and a great pass by Brien set up a chance for Reeves whose attempt failed to trouble the keeper. On 70 minutes, Dan Cook found Reeves in the visitor’s area with a well taken free kick and the Norfolk number nine produced a superb back heel to play in Hadley. The centre back’s drilled low cross found Latimer who gleefully smacked the ball home from five yards. Norfolk now began to play with far more confidence and played down the clock with no real alarm, until the 91st minute, when Ogbonna headed home from a corner.
Now the nerves were starting to jangle again, especially as nobody could work out why there was so much stoppage time being played, but all was well again in the 97th minute as Reeves burst between two defenders to fire in a shot which the keeper parried but Joe Marsden was on hand to thump home the rebound to the delight of the many Norfolk supporters who had made the trip.
The win was great reward for the side and Manager Tom Parke and his staff. At the time of writing, Ollie Thompson had been kept in hospital after the game for observation.
Final Score Cambridgeshire 1 Norfolk 3
Although recognising a great all round team performance, the Representative Committee voted James Hadley as their Man of the Match
Ben Casey
18 March 2010
Suffolk 0 - 1 Norfolk
at Kirkley and Pakefield FC
Norfolk travelled to Kirkley and Pakefield as they took on Suffolk in a vital encounter. After an even start, Norfolk began to take the game to the hosts and a Jacob Maitland shot from the edge of the area skidded just wide, the side continued to create chances as an Ollie Thomson header flew just over. Good work down the wing from Maitland resulted in Joel Brien blasting over from fully twenty five yards.
As Norfolk continued to dominate another Brien effort from an acute angle, found the side netting. Suffolk at this point were finding it hard to make any progress as Goff and Thomson kept a tight rein on the hosts forwards. Chances for Norfolk continued as Latimer forced the Suffolk ‘keeper into a good save. Sam Applegate’s long throws were causing havoc and from one of these Reeves almost caught Suffolk napping in the six yard box, however his shot went well wide.
Norfolk’s superiority was highlighted on the half hour mark as the home team produced their first effort which sailed harmlessly wide. As half time approached Pope in the Suffolk goal, produced two outstanding saves, Brien was once again involved as a shot from distance was turned aside for a corner by the ‘keeper, from the resulting flag kick, Maitland forced the ‘keeper into another stunning save, thus the half finished as it started, with Norfolk holding the upper hand.
Half time Suffolk 0 Norfolk 0
Suffolk kicked off the second half in inclement weather as the rain started to fall, however this did not deter Norfolk as on 48 minutes they took a deserved 1- 0 lead, a great run down the right by Ben Latimer saw him take on and beat a defender, and from the resulting centre Reeves controlled the ball on the edge of the area, beat his opponent and calmly placed the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.
As was the case in the first half, Norfolk were in the ascendancy with the back four continuing to keep a tight hold of the Suffolk forwards, with Sam Applegate producing several timely interceptions. Chances were at a premium due to the stop start nature of the encounter, however Sam Page neatly set up Reeves, whose shot was blocked and Page himself saw a shot flash just wide. With the game entering the final quarter, Ben Latimer produced another excellent run down the right and his centre resulted in a Reeves’ header which was comfortably saved by the ‘keeper. Norfolk brought on subs Gino Livoti, Jordan Southgate and Jordan Pentney as the team continued to impress, with the only scare coming late on as Suffolk had the ball in the net, but a free kick in Norfolk’s favour was awarded by referee Jonathon Block, who had an excellent match in the middle. Norfolk saw out the remaining few minutes to earn a well deserved and vital three points, to keep them at the top of the East Anglian Counties League table.
The Representative Committee voted Ollie Thomson as the player of the match.
Final score Suffolk 0 – Norfolk 1
7 November 2009
Norfolk 5 - 0 Hertfordshire
at Diss Town FC
Norfolk got off to a bright start in their third league game of the season against Hertfordshire. After two minutes Joel Brien cut inside from the left to fire a shot just over, and then a good move involving Lewis Wallace, Brien and Sam Page created an opening for George Wilson whose shot was deflected for a corner that was headed over by Ollie Thompson. Jordan Rocastle and Brien combined to create a chance for Page that was saved by the visiting keeper as Norfolk had comfortably the best of the opening exchanges. A good run by Wallace led to the home side gaining a corner which was headed clear as far as Sam Goff whose ball back into the area was forced home by Rocastle from close range.
From the restart, Hertfordshire produced their first effort on goal as Rowe volleyed over, but it was mainly one way traffic and it came as no surprise when the home side increased their lead. Sam Applegate produced some fine work on the right flank and his cross into the box produced a goalmouth scramble which resulted in Ben Latimer scoring from close range. There was an “illuminating” moment in the 30th minute as Jacob Maitland needed treatment from Norfolk physio Avril Soards who sprinted on to the pitch sporting a “bright scarlet” hairdo which produced a few remarks, all polite of course. When the game restarted, Wilson was unlucky to see a twenty five yard effort flash just wide and Page headed over a Brien cross. A one sided first half came to a close with Latimer having to be replaced by Gino Livoti after twisting an ankle.
Half Time Norfolk 2 Hertfordshire 0
Substitute Livoti made his presence felt straight from the restart as he capitalised on an error by visiting keeper Smith and chipped the ball to the far post for Brien to score with ease. The visitors were in disarray and almost presented Norfolk with another gift as a free kick on the edge of their own area smacked Rocastle on the back of the head and fell to Page who set up a chance for Brien who hit the ball high and wide of the goal. Rocastle was the next person to clear the crossbar, a feat he achieved twice in a matter of minutes after good work again by Page, who himself had a shot on the turn, well saved by Smith.
A fourth goal was always likely and duly arrived when Rocastle broke through to shoot, and although Smith got down to push the ball away, Page was on hand to tap the ball home. After seventy minutes the visitor’s best player, Max Evans, was sent off after receiving a second yellow card and then George Wilson was harshly yellow carded after what seemed like a good solid challenge. The visitors enjoyed their best spell of the game and after 80 minutes Kia Hewitt had his first save of note to make when he pushed a shot from Rowe around the post. Norfolk continued to create chances, and the best goal of the match was scored in the 86th minute when full back Wallace burst into the area to curl a superb shot inside the far post to give a scoreline that was no more than the home side deserved.
The Representative Committee voted George Wilson as their Player of the Match
Final Score Norfolk 5 Hertfordshire 0
20 October 2009
Norfolk 1 - 1 Essex
at Diss Town FC
Norfolk entertained Essex at the excellent facilities of Diss Town, as they looked to get back to winning ways after their disappointing cup exit. Jordan Rocastle returned to the starting line up and soon made his presence felt, bursting through in the second minute only to see his shot blocked by the keeper’s legs.
Essex then mounted an attack and had appeals for a penalty waived away by referee Jason Chapman as the ball appeared to strike an arm. James Love of Essex then struck a powerful twenty yard effort that flew just wide of Daniel Quantrill’s upright. Jacob Maitland pushed forward from midfield and almost set up a chance for Sam Page but the visitors blocked the Norfolk players effort, but the home side were not kept at bay much longer as Rocastle volleyed an excellent Brien cross home from close range. The visitors produced an immediate response and Quantrill had to be sharp, turning a McKay effort around the post. Maitland then got himself booked for a late challenge as the game, which had started at a furious pace, began to lose a bit of its shape with passes going astray from both sides.
A good move involving George Wilson, Ben Latimer and Rocastle ended with the Essex keeper saving at full stretch and just on half time, Latimer flashed a shot just wide.
Half Time Norfolk 1 Essex 0
The second period began quietly, but then came to life when Rocastle capitalised on a mistake from the Essex centre back but finished poorly with Page being better placed. Norfolk were dominating the half with Essex showing very little as an attacking force although Quantrill was alert to clear a long through ball as a visiting forward rushed in. Good work by Page and Wilson put Brien in the clear only to be denied by the offside flag, and then a poor clearance by the visiting keeper fell to the feet of Wilson who blazed high and wide from twenty five yards.
A defensive error provided Essex with their only shot on target in the second period and it was to prove costly as Koki Kassey took full advantage to shoot passed Quantrill from fifteen yards. This sparked the home side back to life and Latimer headed over a good cross from Ben Nichols. Norfolk pressed hard for the winner but clear cut chances were hard to come by, but when one finally arrived Brien blasted over from close range. The final whistle came as a disappointment for a home side that will look back on this as two points dropped.
The representative committee named Ben Nichols as their Man of the Match
Final Score Norfolk 1 Essex 1
FA County Youth Cup 2009/10
10 October 2009
Norfolk FA 0 - 3 Suffolk FA
at Watton Sports Centre
Norfolk Under 18’s once again went out at the first stage of the FA County Youth Cup after a disappointing display against old rivals Suffolk at Watton FC. Not helped by twelve call off’s including the goal keeper on the morning of the match, Norfolk kicked off on what looked like a superb playing surface and within two minutes good work by Joel Brien and Jacob McCabe brought Norfolk a corner on the left. When the corner came in the referee waved away two Norfolk appeals for handball before the ball was hacked clear.
The home side had made a decent start and Ben Latimer set up a chance for Kenny Reeves who shot straight at the keeper. Suffolk then began to look dangerous and a superb block by Oliver Thomson gave the visitors a corner which was well defended by Sam Goff at the far post. From the resulting corner, a clearing header fell to the feet of Suffolk’s Josh Curry and from twenty five yards he blasted the ball into the net with a superb strike.
Suffolk then pegged a stunned home side back, but when they finally broke clear Risby of Suffolk was yellow carded for a cynical foul on Gino Livoti. After twenty minutes another Suffolk free kick eluded everyone in the Norfolk penalty area only to come back off the post. Curry made a complete hash of putting in the rebound and the ball was scrambled clear. Misplaced passes were putting Norfolk under unnecessary pressure, and it wasn’t long before they went two behind. A harmless looking through ball produced a mix up at the heart of the home defence and Luke Wade rounded Matt Powley to score with ease. Jordan Southgate had to come off with an injury and was replaced by Sam Applegate.
Norfolk were finding it hard to create anything but a good strong challenge by George Wilson seemed to spark Norfolk into life as they tried to reduce the deficit before half time. Reeves got in a good cross but there was no one on hand to take advantage, whilst a good run and shot by Latimer saw the keeper save at the second attempt. As the half came to and end Livoti and Brien both forced the visiting keeper into action but to no avail.
Half Time Norfolk 0 Suffolk 2
At half time Ryan Mickleburgh replaced the injured Kenny Reeves and this prompted the home side into a reshuffle which saw James Hadley move into midfield. Norfolk started the half well and Pope made a good save from Applegate. Latimer then had the visiting keeper scrambling to clear a cross, whilst Brien had a header pushed around the post for a corner. Norfolk keeper Powley then had to produce an acrobatic stop as a cross from Wade looked set to elude him, then a brilliant block by Goff on Holmes saw the referee give a corner when the last touch seemed to have come from the visiting player. Latimer was booked for dissent but then he almost got Norfolk back into the game as Brien lobbed the onrushing keeper, Latimer out jumped the covering Suffolk defender only to see his header land on the wrong side of the post. Wilson was then replaced by Jack Smith and Powley made another good stop to deny Clark, but with four minutes to go Suffolk wrapped the game up after good work between Wade and Holmes set up a chance for substitute Clark to head home.
The Representative Committee nominated Ben Latimer as their Man of the Match.
Final Score Norfolk 0 Suffolk 3
East Anglian Counties Competition 2009/10
29 September 2009
Bedfordshire 1 - 2 Norfolk
at AFC Kempston Rovers, Bedfordshire
This season’s Under 18 squad got the season off to a great start with a hard earned 2-1 victory over Bedfordshire. The home side kicked off but it was Norfolk who were first to show when George Wilson and Kenny Reeves combined to set up a strike for Joe Marsden which was parried away by Marevesa. Wilson was showing well for Norfolk, but his enthusiastic tackling earned him a word from the referee, though it did not dampen his spirit as he burst through the home defence only to hit a weak shot when other options were available.
Dan King was showing some good touches out on the left as Norfolk dominated the early exchanges, so it came as a huge surprise when the home side took the lead after sixteen minutes. A loose pass from a Norfolk player in midfield was quickly snapped up by Bedfordshire’s Higley who played a first time ball through to the speedy Richardson and he lobbed the onrushing Kia Hewitt in the Norfolk goal. The visitors responded well and good one touch play put Jacob McCabe in the clear only to be denied by the offside flag. Ben Latimer then fizzed a good effort just passed the post and then a great free kick from Wilson flashed across the face of the goal with no one able to apply the finishing touch.
Latimer then brought a fine save from Marevesa before the equaliser duly arrived. As Bedfordshire tried to play the ball out from the back, a poor pass was well intercepted by Jordan Southgate who put Latimer in the clear to finish well. It was a goal Norfolk had deserved. Almost immediately Norfolk had a lucky escape when Peters smashed a shot off the underside of the crossbar and two home players impeded each other as they tried to force home the rebound. Once again the home side shot themselves in the foot, trying to play the ball across their own area. This time the ball fell to Marsden who smashed the ball home from the edge of the area. Just before the break Hewitt made a good block on the edge of his area and as the ball spun towards his goal he was able to get back and boot the ball off the goal line.
Half Time Bedfordshire 1 Norfolk 2
The home side started the second half in livelier fashion but without really threatening the Norfolk goal, due to a solid display by Norfolk centre backs Oliver Thomson and James Hadley. Wilson hit a good shot straight at Marevesa and then Southgate was unfortunate to be booked for a tackle on Peters. The referee was being kept busy by the home side as they began to loose their discipline and the game turned into a niggly scrappy affair, with the Norfolk lads doing very well to keep their heads.
Jacob Maitland replaced Southgate and soon after the home side almost grabbed an equaliser when Richardson shook off a tackle to play the ball to O’Brian whose shot just cleared the crossbar. That chance apart, Norfolk never looked in any danger of conceding again and as they ran the clock down, manager Parke replaced Latimer and Marsden with Sam Page and Gino Lavoti.
The representative committee selected Oliver Thomson as their Man of the Match.
Final Score Bedfordshire 1 Norfolk 2