MATCH RESULTS AND REPORTS
East Anglian Counties Competition
09.02.08
Norfolk U18 v Hertfordshire U18
at Clipbush Park, Fakenham.
A match that seemed destined for a draw ended with Hertfordshire stunning their hosts with a late winner. The decisive goal came in the dying minutes - the ball cannoning off the post and into the net after a low drive found its was through a mass of players congregated in the Norfolk penalty area.
Hertfordshire took the lead in the tenth minute but were lucky to arrive at half-time still in front with Norfolk squandering a number of clear openings, the pick of which saw Alex Vincent volley wide with just the keeper to beat.
The home side continued to press after the break and grabbed a deserved equalizer a quarter of an hour in. Vincent finishing neatly after being sent through by man-of-the-match Joe Setchell.
Despite dominating for the remainder Norfolk failed to beat the Hertfordshire ‘keeper for a second time and paid the price when the visitors stole the winner on the break.
However disappointing the result, it was great to see Norfolk physiotherapist Paul Terrington back in full flight after recently undergoing a major hip operation. Well Done Paul!
Final Score: Norfolk 1 - 2 Hertfordshire
25.11.07
Bedfordshire U18 v Norfolk U18
at AFC Kempston
Bedfordshire 1 Norfolk 3
With the absence of Manager Darren Moss, his assistant Matt Henman took the reins in this encounter at Kempston Rovers FC, Bedfordshire.
Norfolk, from the start, attacked the Bedfordshire goal and from a throw-in the ball was headed on for the energetic Alex Vincent to slot home at the near post. Much of the first half saw neither keeper being troubled and a good competitive match was fought in midfield.
The second half saw Norfolk’s Man Of The Match, Patrick Yates come out with nasal swabs inserted in his nose, due to an incident just before half time. This was okayed by the referee and Yates went on to have an outstanding half, together with Charlton Halliday and Ross Durrant in midfield.
On the forty-eighth minute Bedfordshire broke down the left and a moments lack of concentration from the Norfolk defence saw Bedfordshire equalise from a well struck shot on the edge of the eighteen yard box. Norfolk never buried their heads and within four minutes took back the lead through Cameron Copeland, with a fine close range header set up by Norfolk’s left back Marcus Godbold, who ran the length of the pitch to cross.
Norfolk could have been further ahead if not for two great saves from the Bedfordshire keeper, but in the final few minutes, he could not stop Richard Brett from scoring at the second attempt, after seeing his first coming off the post.
18 October 2007
Norfolk U18 v Essex U18
at Fakenham Town FC
Norfolk 1 Essex 1
An explosive final ten minutes saw a game which looked like neither side scoring. This resulted in comments of “this looks like a repeat of the Suffolk match” and with that said, Essex scored in the eighty first minute from a well worked free kick which was driven in hard from the right for the striker’s glancing header to rocket past Norris. Up until then neither side could penetrate each others defence. Much of the first half saw Essex ‘woofing’ the ball too long only to be tidied up by the back four. Norfolk had their chances with both Fiddy and Durrant coming close to scoring.
Much of the second half was played in the same manner up until Essex scoring. Norfolk then pushed for what would be a deserved equaliser and that finally came on the ninetieth minute from a corner which Cameron Copeland met with an unstoppable header.
Norfolk’s Man of the Match, Charlton Halliday was in outstanding form, together with Fiddy who grew in statue as the game went on.
This was a more committed Norfolk side, which seemed to have the confidence back in their game.
20 September 2007
Suffolk U18 v Norfolk U18
at Leiston FC
Suffolk 1 Norfolk 0
The passion was back in the Norfolk U18s against local rivals Suffolk U18s, this was no doubt one of the best performances shown by a Norfolk U18s side within the last two seasons.
With both teams sizing each other up, with mainly a midfield battle at a ferocious pace, on the thirtieth minute the referee awards Suffolk a throw, only for it to be over ruled by his assistant, and reverts it to a free kick to everyones amazement. The outcome of this saw a well struck kick perfectly placed beyond Norris (Schmeichel) Norfolk’s keeper. Norfolk held their heads up and within five minutes Ross Durrant had three attempts, 30 yard strike, lob shot and low strike wide. The last play of the first half saw Joe Setchell head over from a corner.
Both teams came out for the second half, Suffolk looking to increase on their slender lead and Norfolk looking the stronger team, from the end of the first half, determined to break back into the game.
Manager Moss brought on Alex Vincent and James Spittlehouse for Richard Brett who battled well up front and Charlton Halliday who soldiered on from an injury he sustained in the warm up. Norfolk now were pressing hard for that equaliser with some great passing moves involving Jason Hunt who’s continuous hard work stood out in midfield, Norfolk maintained the pressure but could not break through the Suffolk back four, who all played extremely well and up front Suffolk were also looking good and but for Steven Norris (Schmeichel) in the Norfolk goal they could have increased their lead. Norfolk were creating more of the attacking moves and with a last gasp effort Norfolk were awarded a free kick. Ross Durrant struck a fine ball only for the keeper to pull off a good save. This was a very entertaining game with both teams playing with desire.
Man of the Match was Kyle Nicholls who, at left back, had an outstanding ninety minutes.
FA County Youth Cup
6 October 2007
Hampshire FA v Norfolk County FA
at The Military Stadium, Aldershot
Hampshire 4 Norfolk 2
Norfolk U18's cup campaign ended after a nervous five minutes at Aldershot Military Barracks where Hampshire came out all guns blazing and were two goals up after five minutes, this got worse for Norfolk after nineteen minutes when a superb run through the middle of the park opened up the Norfolk defence to make it three nil to the home team.
On the half hour some great play from Ben Walker and Ross Durrant started Norfolk’s half and a succession of corners followed but with some good keeping from the Hampshire keeper Moore saw Hampshire go in at half time three goals to the better.
Stern words from manager Moss saw Norfolk come out flying with Durrant and Walker carrying on where they had left off, forcing a goal mouth clearance from the Hampshire defence, on fifty two minutes some unselfish play from Walker and a good run from Brett saw Norfolk pull a goal back from Alex Vincent. Norfolk now began to dominate the proceedings but for a misunderstanding following a long ball between Stockdale and Spittlehouse saw the Hampshire striker lob the keeper for a Hampshire goal against the run of play. Virtually on full time Norfolk managed to pull another goal back through Cameron Copeland who scored from an acute angle. Man of the Match for Norfolk was Ross Durrant.