Easter weekend football

A bumper Easter weekend of football as the season reaches a pulsating climax for many local teams over the coming weeks.

In the Conference League North, King's Lynn Town FC have been flirting with the play off places lately. However, two massive wins over the weekend have virtually secured a play off place barring a miraculous turn of events on the final Saturday of the season. An early headed goal from the in-form Gold Omotayo was enough to take all three points in a huge, yet tough, 1-0 home win against leaders, Scunthorpe United, on Easter Friday, whilst a tense 1-0 win over relegation doomed Needhan Market on Easter Monday, albeit through a late Kian Ronan strike, means the Linnets - now unbeaten in six games - are sitting ‘precariously’ pretty. A point in their final league game at home to an expected weakened Chester City on Saturday will also guarantee a home draw in the first phase of the play offs. Manager, Adam Lakeland, said, “we are not conceding and will try and win our last game against Chester. One game at a time”.

In the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, there was a festive atmosphere as Heacham FC hosted a Sponsor's Day with a Hospitality tent at their final home game against Soham Town Rangers on Saturday, with Chairman, Sam Pishorn, not only giving a very worthy thank you to all the sponsors who are vital for Heacham to compete at this level but also recognising the thankless efforts of all the volunteers this season. On the field, Heacham gave as good as they got against higher placed Soham. However, sloppy defending meant the Magpies slipped to a 3-0 defeat in what turned out to be a typical end of season dead rubber match.

On Easter Monday, they travelled to Downham Town who still had a slim chance of winning the title. Heacham took the game right to their opponents, with Toby Hilliard scoring early on before he was unfairly booked. Downham rallied and levelled on 25 minutes before the young referee harshly penalised Hilliard again for a challenge, this time sending him off. Heacham managed to contain their opponents, actually playing some slick football with only ten men, before a late goal sealed the win for the hosts. Downham are, however, resigned to a play off place despite leading the table just two weeks ago. In a major twist at the top, Brantham Athletic took the title with a 6-0 win against Hadleigh United, amazingly leapfrogging Fakenham Town on goal difference.

It has been a roller coaster ride this season for the Magpies. Sitting bottom of the table in August, they have managed to turn their season around under the guile management of Paul Hunt, finishing a respectable 15th in what has always been a tough Division to compete in. Not good enough to go up but too good to go down is probably a fair assessment. If Hunt stays and the young talent coming through prosper, there is every chance this squad could do well next season.

Dersingham Rovers Team photo (credit Rich Voutt)

On Thursday evening, Anglian Combination Division One side, Dersingham Rovers, fell agonisingly short in the Mummery Cup Final against Premier Division leaders, Acle United, losing 2-1 at the FDC Sports Arena in Norwich with Acle scoring a heartbreaking 94th minute winner. Scotty Gray with Dersingham’s goal. Manager, Harry Collison, was obviously disappointed, saying, “we certainly gave higher league opposition a run for their money and deserved to at least to have taken it to penalties. We will now focus on promotion”.

Dersingham celebrate Scotty Gray’s equaliser (credit Rich Voutt)

In Division Three of the Anglian Combination League, Ingoldisthorpe FC signed off their season with a 4-5 loss at home to Briston. The ‘Thorpe have certainly been entertaining this season and this game proved to be no different.

In Division Four, Dersingham Reserves suffered a 2-0 reverse at home to Thorpe Village FC, although it does confirm a creditable top half of the table finish. Dussindale’s loss at leaders North Walsham, mean Heacham Reserves are now guaranteed 2nd spot, assuming there isn’t a 32 goal difference swing in Dussindale’s final league game!

In Division One of the North West Norfolk League, Dersingham Rovers ‘A’ rubber stamped a minimum top three finish with a 7-2 rout of visitors Weeting Saxon FC. Five goals from the effervescent Sam Peck and a goal apiece for Sonny Devlin and Nathan Mitchell securing the points. The club still have aspirations of the title though, sitting just two points off leaders Woottons FC.

In Division Two, 2nd placed Heacham Minors Development FC won a crucial match at 4th placed Wanderers FC 3-2 to also confirm a minimum top three finish. A brace from Ryan Scrivens and a goal from Tom Hawkins enough to bring the bacon home. FC St. Edmunds Hunstanton lost 5-1 at home to Watlington FC ‘A’.

Heacham FC U18’s close their season tonight (Tuesday) at home to Aylsham FC U18’s (7.45pm Kick off). They have already managed a creditable fourth spot in what is their debut season in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League.