Football Update - W/E 4th & 5th October

King’s Lynn Town beaten in five goal thriller, Heacham FC out of the relegation zone and local football round up.

King’s Lynn were beaten 3-2 at home by Scarborough Athletic in the Conference League North on Saturday.

Caretaker boss, Joe Simpson, is not an excuse based person and felt his charges responded well after going behind. In fact, Reece Hall-Johnson gave the Linnets the perfect start with an early goal but Scarborough turned things around to lead 3-1, before the in-form Morgan Williams netted late on to give the home faithful hope, but it wasn’t to be as time ran out.

Next up for Lynn is a tough FA Cup 4th round qualifying tie at Conference Premier Division high flyers, Scunthorpe United, with a place in the 1st round proper the reward to the winners.

Heacham FC are off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone after a magnificent 3-2 victory against visitors Ipswich Wanderers in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

Ipswich are strong contenders for promotion back into the Isthmian League, having been relegated last season. In fact, the writing looked to be on the wall for Heacham as Wanderers dominated the early stages and deservedly took a 1-0 lead before Magpies player, Andy Willmott, had to come off with a nasty head wound.

Talisman, Toby Hilliard, had other ideas however, as the home side rallied, scoring one of his trademark goals to level matters. He had a chance to put Heacham ahead on the stroke of half time but his penalty was well saved by the visiting keeper.

Toby Hilliard made up for his penalty miss 

Hilliard was on a mission and made amends for his penalty miss by putting the home side ahead with a superb finish mid way through the second half. Ipswich tried to respond but Hilliard took advantage of a mix up at the back for his hat-trick. Wanderers pulled a goal back with a late penalty to make it a tense finish but, man for man, Heacham managed to hold on although they still required a super save from Sam Pishorn and a goal line clearance from Karl Anderson to silence the vociferous away support.

Heacham FC Supporters Club Chairman, Denis Cooper, presents Hilliard with the MOM award

Make no bones about it Heacham rose to the challenge. You have to in, historically, one of the toughest divisions at this level in the country. Despite a good all round team performance, special mention must also go to stand in keeper Pishorn who put in a great shift and to local referee, James Durham, who marshalled affairs superbly in difficult conditions.

A week ago Heacham were bottom of the table, looking to become the whipping boys. Sometimes one performance can galvanise your season. This was it. The phoenix has arisen from the fire and manager, Paul Hunt, will want to build on this at third placed Mulbarton Wanderers on Saturday.

In Division One of the Anglian Combination League, Dersingham Rovers were surprisingly beaten 3-1 at home by Tacolneston. Lewis Curson had given Derse the lead but missed chances allowed the visitors back in to secure all three points.

In Division Four, Ingoldisthorpe FC’s topsy turvy season continued with a 5-0 loss at leaders Terrington Tigers whilst, in the same Division, Dersingham Reserves were well beaten 4-1 by Watton United Reserves. Mason Haddleton with a consolation goal.

In Division One of the league North West Norfolk League, Dersingham Rovers ‘A’ came from behind to win 4-3 at Bentinck Arms FC. A hat-trick from Nath Mitchell and a goal from Lloyd Drewery securing the win.

In Division Two, unbeaten Ingoldisthorpe Reserves had an excellent 2-0 win against Shouldham Youth FC to move up to 2nd in the table, with a brace from Bradley Rix enough to bag all three points. In the same Division, Dersingham U23’s lost 3-1 at home to Clenchwarton Reserves. Alex Mendes with the goal. Whilst FC St Edmunds Hunstanton poor run of form continued with a 2-0 loss at Gaywood FC.

Heacham FC U18s goalkeeper Jack Nash being congratulated by Andy Halsey (Heachan FC Supporters Club)

Heacham FC U18s lost 4-1 at home in the FA Youth Cup against a strong Sudbury U18’s side last week. The visitors took control of the match early on, taking a 2-0 lead. Alfie Buhlemann gave Heacham hope to halve the deficit before Sudbury ran out comprehensive winners in the end. Heacham FC U18’s goalkeeper, Jack Nash, was named Man of the Match.

Dersingham ladies are up to 4th in Division Three of the Norfolk Women & Girls’ Football League. They put last weekend’s heavy defeat well and truly behind them with an 11-1 drubbing of Kirkley & Pakefield Ladies, with four goals from Crystal Hart and a hat-trick from Emma Leech setting them on their way.