Sport Update - Easter Bank Holiday

Complex permutations as Lynn and Heacham’s destiny still remains in their own hands, and Dersingham Reserves look to secure promotion

Football

Whilst not mathematically safe, complex permutations and the fact several teams around them in the table have to face each other does work in King’s Lynn Town FC’s favour. 

Lynn are six points clear of the drop zone and do have a better goal difference against all the teams below them. However, just one point from the last nine, is not the form manager, Paul Caddis, will want to take into their final three games, two of which are away to in-form play off candidates Kidderminster Harriers and Chester City.

Carlton Ubaezuonu in action, Credit Ruby Pindar

A defeat at home to Spennymoor Town last Tuesday, was followed up with a point at local rivals and doomed Peterborough Sports on Easter Friday before a 1-0 home loss to Bedford Town on Easter Monday.

The game against Peterborough Sports was reminiscent of last season’s meeting, with Lynn controlling the early exchanges, as they tried to acclimatise to one of the smallest pitches in the Conference League North, with Sports keeper, Peter Crook, making two crucial saves to keep the hosts in it. 

However, the home side played themselves back into the match, taking a 1-0 lead with a rather fortuitous goal from Luca Miller that Lynn keeper and captain, Aaron Chapman, failed to deal with.

Lynn equalised immediately after the interval through Morgan Williams only for Sports to go straight up the other end and restore their lead through Marcel Oakley. The game became more and more testy as Lynn looked for an equaliser. They were denied what looked a legitimate goal when Crook fumbled, but the referee deemed he had been fouled, before the referee turned down a blatant Terry Bondo penalty.

Incident that led to melee at end of match, Credit Ruby Pindar

Lynn’s persistence eventually paid off in injury time as Norwich City loaner, Brandon Forbes, found space on the edge of the box, turned on a sixpence and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner in front of the ecstatic travelling support. A late melee in the Sports goalmouth resulted in the referee issuing a number of cards including two reds, one for Elliott Whitehouse (Sports) and one for Tai Fleming (Lynn). 

Although not mathematically down, the result virtually condemned Peterborough to relegation. Whilst happy to take a point in the end, Caddis said, “I'm genuinely disappointed we haven't come away with three points in terms of, not just the chances, the quality of chances. They were big chances we had.”

National League N / S table

Against fellow strugglers Bedford Town yesterday, Lynn fell to a 1-0 home defeat as ex football league player, George Moncur, scored a late penalty for the visitors. With both sides desperately trying to avoid relegation, neither seemed to want to take the bull by the horns in a cautious, tense affair. The Linnets dealt well with Bedford’s aerial threat but lacked a clinical edge at the other end. Lynn’s home form is a worry, especially with a must win game against Chorley looming on the 18th April. 

Heacham FC failed to build on last Tuesday’s excellent 3-0 win at Woodbridge, as they slipped to a 4-0 defeat at Kirkley & Pakefield on Saturday.

Credit Phill Gwilliam

Goals from Tom Harwood, Max Williams and George Patience secured a much needed three points for the Magpies against ten man Woodbridge in their fight to avoid the drop but they were lacklustre against Kirkley who scored all four goals in the first half. However, Cornard Utd’s maximum six points haul over the weekend means Heacham are just three points from safety, having played more games than the team immediately below them, Lakenheath, who also have a better goal difference. 

George Patience in action, Credit Phill Gwilliam

The Magpies travel to promotion hopefuls Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday, before hosting Walsham-le-Willows in their final league game on the 18th April meaning their season is going to go down to the wire. In simple terms, two wins will guarantee safety, anything else means they will be relying on results elsewhere. They could do with Ipswich slipping up at home to Woodbridge tomorrow evening which would all but end their play off hopes.

Credit Phill Gwilliam

Thurlow Nunn League Table

In Division One of the Anglian Combination League, Dersingham Rovers remain in a battle for 3rd after a 5-3 victory over Fakenham Reserves. A brace apiece for Joe Collison and Dane Schmuda plus a goal from captain, Lewis Curson, securing the three points. Derse are 4th with three games remaining.

In Division Three, Heacham Reserves continued their good form with a 2-0 home win over Holt Utd Reserves. Jaden Poore and Sam Smith both notching. Heacham remain in 5th but are still in the mix for promotion with five games left to play.

In Division Four, Dersingham Reserves can go 2nd with their games in hand. They overcame local rivals Ingoldisthorpe FC on Saturday in a 3-0 win, all but ending the latter’s promotion campaign in the process. Mason Haddleton, Finn Howe and Jake Marsden with the goals. Derse are 5th with seven games remaining.

In Division Three of the Norfolk Women & Girls’ Football League, Dersingham top the table after a walkover win against Horsford Women. They travel to 2nd placed Dereham on April 26th in what could prove to be a title decider.

Heacham FC U18’s 1-0 win over Spalding Utd U18’s last week means they have avoided a bottom two finish. They welcome 2nd placed March Town U18’s on Thursday evening (7.45pm Kick off).