Focus on local football fixures

Match reports from the Heacham FC, Dersingham Rovers, Ingoldisthorpe FC, Dersingham Reserves and FC St Edmund's Hunstanton v Woottons Reserves' games

Heacham FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Kirkley & Pakefield FC on Saturday. The visitors had one game plan of spoil tactics which led to a tempestuous affair. Heacham dominated large spells of the game but were thwarted by a man of the match display from the visiting keeper, Michael Wright. Heacham took an early lead with a goal from the in-form Colby Wood, but will rue a number of missed chances. Teams will punish you if you don’t kill them off at this level and so it was as Kirkley equalised just before half time from an albeit rather fortuitous deflected free kick. In the second half, the impressive 20 year old keeper, Wright, made a number of outstanding saves including a late penalty save from Toby Hilliard. The 132 spectators were, however, left somewhat bemused why the deliberate hand ball leading to the penalty was only punished with a yellow card. In fact Kirkley could have won it at the death with a free kick that home keeper, Aaron Watson, did well to palm away. Heacham captain, Ben Dear, was unlucky to be sent off in the incident and the club will now have to deal with his suspension. Magpies manager, Paul Hunt, will be pleased with Heacham's overall performance but will definitely see this as two points dropped, whilst the away team manager came away the more satisfied with a point. Heacham remain seven points clear of the relegation zone in 14th place.

Heacham FC U18’s are in action on Thursday as they travel to North Walsham FC U18’s before welcoming Dereham next Tuesday (7.45pm Kick off). They have performed well this season under the guidance of Mark McDonnell who has been involved in the development of some of these players for the past ten years. Ex Heacham FC manager, Dave Griggs, has also been helping out. The team presently sit 3rd in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League (North). Three of the players have already had first team experience this season, whilst 17 year old leading goalscorer, Alfred Buhlemann, was on the bench for the first team on Saturday.

In Division One of the Anglian Combination League, Dersingham Rovers returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win at home to Stalham Town. A brace from Joe Collison and a goal apiece for Scott Sutherland-Gray and Isaac Linford doing the damage. The local outfit remain in 6th place, but have games in hand on all the teams above them.

In Division Three, Ingoldisthorpe FC returned from Aylsham Reserves with a well earned point. Max Andrews, Jake Ess and Ryan Young scoring for the ‘Thorpe in a 3-3 draw.
In Division Four, Dersingham Reserves remain in 4th after a convincing 5-1 win at KLSC Reserves. Ruben Dofes, Ahmed Rhaouti, Charlie Congreve, Dane Schmuda and Jack Rix with the goals. Heacham Reserves have slipped to third from bottom with a tight 1-0 reverse at Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers ‘A’.

In Division One of the North West Norfolk League, Dersingham Rovers ‘A’ have gone clear at the top of the table with an 8-1 mauling of Reffley Youth FC. Dane Hipkin (2), Sonny Devlin, Nathan Mitchell, Kris Smith, Thomas Wicklen, Lewis Batterbee and Liam Kerr the scorers.

In Division Two, FC St. Edmunds Hunstanton were on course for their first points of the season as they led Woottons Reserves 3-1 with a superb Alphie Penn hat-trick. However, it wasn’t to be as Woottons scored three late goals to take all the points. Disappointed manager, Nigel King, said, “we should have seen the game out but the players tired towards the end of the match. We go on”.