Sport update - W/E 24th & 25th Jan

Lynn beaten, Heacham involved in seven goal thriller, West Norfolk Rugby team in surprise defeat, and Hunstanton Men’s Indoor Bowls team continue good run of form

Football

Kings's Lynn Town FC are now winless in eight after a narrow 2-1 loss at Shropshire based side AFC Telford United, sitting precariously just four points above the drop zone in the Conference League North. Despite giving as good as they got against their in-form hosts, Lynn found themselves two down at the break. 

A spirited second half was rewarded with a goal from MK Dons loaner, Simone Troso, to halve the deficit but the hosts managed to keep Lynn at arm’s length and see the game out in front of over 1,400 spectators. 

Manager, Ian Calverhouse, said, “We responded well after going 2 down, with fight and spirit in the second half, but we need to stop letting silly goals in. We do have bodies coming back and urgently need an experienced forward in. We must find a win to give us that confidence.”

The Linnets face a crucial match at bottom side Leamington tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.

Heacham FC's Conall Forde

Heacham FC fielded U18’s keeper, Jack Nash, against mid table Kirkley & Pakefield at home on Saturday. 

The hosts came right out of the blocks, hitting the bar early on before Jack Parker put them ahead soon after with a strike from the edge of the box as Pakefield failed to deal with a corner. 

Heacham had chances to add to their tally but it was the visitors who levelled, before going 3-1 up early in the second half to take control. The magpies rallied and pressed, and were deservedly rewarded with a chipped goal from Toby Hilliard to reduce the arrears. 

Jack Prentice

Heacham smelt blood and their pressure paid off as Jack Prentice levelled matters. Kirkley had to replace their keeper at the break, and his stand in pulled off two fantastic saves in the dying moments to deny Heacham. Then heartbreak, as Kirkley fashioned out a last minute winner from a free kick to secure a 4-3 win. 

Manager, Mark Hunter, said, “Obviously disappointed we got nothing out a game we deserved to, we seem to play better when we go behind and fully deserved the comeback, we need to apply that control all game. Game management is key and we will take that into our coming fixtures.”

Heacham remain bottom of the Thurlow Numn Premier Division although they do have games in hand but must find a way of grinding out points from games soon if they are to avoid the drop. They travel to high flying Great Yarmouth Town on Saturday.

Harvey Pightling

In Division One of the Anglian Combination, Dersingham Rovers slipped to a 3-2 defeat at fellow promotion candidates Caister. Goals from Gino Livoti and Sam Peck not enough for the Derse who remain in 3rd but having played more games than all the teams around them in the table.

In Division Three, Heacham Reserves failed to build on last weekend’s impressive win against leaders Dussindale, as they were surprisingly beaten 5-2 by lowly KLSC. Alfie Buhlemann’s brace proving in vain.

In Division Four, Ingoldisthorpe FC had a fantastic and hard earned 1-0 win at Madra, with impressive new signing Andre Mitev scoring for the second week on the trot. Thorpe are back up to 3rd and very much in the promotion mix.

Dersingham Reserves can also make a late push for promotion with their games in hand on all the teams above them after a convincing 4-1 home win against Bradenham & Mattishall Reserves. Goals from Cameron Seal, Joshua Seal, Max Francis and Dev Waldron securing all three points.

In Division One of the North West Norfolk League, Heacham Minors Development FC were joint bottom of the table going into their match at West Winch FC. However, a splendid 5-3 win has elevated them up the table leapfrogging their opponents in the process.

In Division Two, Dersingham U23’s had a routine 3-1 home win against FC Aburi Town. Jake Marsden, Sam Wilkinson and Jake Parkin with the goals.

Meanwhile, Ingoldisthorpe Reserves promotion push took a hit with a surprise 5-1 defeat at Watlington FC ‘A’. Thorpe do have games in hand but have left themselves a lot of work to do if they are to achieve an immediate return to Division One.

In Division Three of the Norfolk Women & Girls’ Football League, Dersingham Women continued their excellent run of form with a 7-0 routing of Red Rose Women. Braces from Eliza McDonald and Emma Leech plus a goal apiece for Crystal Hart, Carolyn Flowerdew and Lynsey Bunn bagging all the points. They remain in 4th, although do have games in hand in what is proving to be an impressive debut season for manager Georgie Archer and her cohorts at this level.

Heacham FC U18’s are back in action on Thursday evening (7.45pm Kick off) as they welcome March Town U18’s.

Rugby

After the magnificent win at leaders Stowmarket last weekend, the men's West Norfolk rugby team needed to ensure a win to keep their title and back to back promotion aspirations alive at home to Ipswich RFU. However, they slipped to a surprise 43-5 loss against a dominant and in-form Ipswich side, which means promotion from Division One East is now out of their hands. They drop to 4th.

The women were also convincingly beaten 62-5 by Wymondham Wasps and remain rooted at the bottom of Division One East.

Indoor Bowls

Hunstanton Men's Indoor Bowls Team continued their excellent run of form with a maximum points haul against Dereham ‘B’ to cement their place in the top two and close the gap on leaders Lynnsport ‘B’. The top rink of Chris Wright, Martin Crook, Adam Wells and Frazer Clement - who won their game 30-7 - setting them on their way.

The Ladies poor start to 2026 continued as they fell to a 6-2 defeat at Acle ‘B’. They do remain clear in 2nd with just three games to play.