Sports Report - W/E 1st & 2nd November

Ian Culverhouse named new Lynn boss, Hunstanton Men’s Indoor Bowls team riding high, Norwich City U18’s in Heacham tomorrow (4th November) and tennis league reaches conclusion.

Football

Ex Norwich City player, Ian Culverhouse, has been named the new manager of King’s Lynn Town FC. This is his third stint with Lynn so he is very familiar with the club and should be able to hit the ground running. He will be very aware that a good honeymoon period and a couple of wins could quickly propel his side back into the top half of the table. Although, conversely, knows a couple of poor results would see them being dragged into a relegation battle. 

It’s going to be an important few weeks for the club and fans. Next up for the Linnets is a visit from 4th from bottom Leamington tomorrow (4th November, 7.45pm Kick off) before they face a tough trip to 2nd placed South Shields on Saturday.  Lynn returned from Southport FC with a point at the weekend after a dour 0-0 bore draw. A clean sheet at any level of football is a positive, but a failure to notch against the bottom side will be a concern for Culverhouse when they possess such a potent attacking strength.

A lone Kev Randall celebrates Heacham's goal from the Railway Line end as a Lakenheath player tries in vain to clear the ball

In the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, Heacham FC missed an opportunity to drag themselves out of the drop zone after a 1-1 draw against bottom side Lakenheath. Heacham took a 1-0 lead in the first half with a Jake Poore goal, but failed to capitalise with the visitors equalising in the second half.

Heacham welcome Norwich City U18’s tomorrow evening (4th) in a mouth-watering Norfolk Senior Cup tie (7.45pm Kick off). Worth a visit to see the next crop of Canary players on display.

In Division One of the Anglian Combination League, Dersingham Rovers won an entertaining home affair with Waveney, 7-4. A Sam Peck hat-trick and a goal apiece for Shane Akers, Josh Youngs, Albie Howe and Kurty Calaby, moving the local outfit up to joint 3rd.

In Division Four, a topsy turvy and lacklustre Ingoldisthorpe FC slipped to a 3-0 home defeat to Bradenham & Mattishall Reserves. They slip to 6th. In the same division, Dersingham Reserves had a convincing 3-0 win at North Elmham. Mason Haddleton, Finn Howe and Sibusiso Ncube with the goals. They are up to 5th.

Over in Division One of the North West Norfolk League, Dersingham Rovers ‘A’ fell to a tight 3-2 defeat at home to leaders Reffley Youth FC. Joe Collison and Kris Smith scoring in vain.

In Division Two, leaders Ingoldisthorpe Reserves were surprisingly held to a 4-4 draw by Gayton United ‘A’. Goals from Vitalij Jermilov, Chesley Mayes, Kai Mayes and John Sapsford securing a hard earned point. They slip to 2nd. Dersingham Rovers U23’s ran out easy 8-0 victors at bottom side FC Aburi Town. A Rhys Lough hat-trick, braces from Harry Ballard and Jack Jordan and a goal from Toby Tullis moving them up to 5th.

Dersingham Ladies FC

In Division Three of the Norfolk Women & Girls’ League, Dersingham are up to 3rd after securing a well earned point in a 2-2 draw with Viking Valkyries Women Reserves on Sunday. The in-form Emma Leech with both goals.

Heacham FC U18’s are back in action on Thursday evening after a convincing 4-0 win at Spalding last week as they travel to 3rd placed Deeping Rangers.

Indoor Bowls

It is still early days in the Indoor Bowls season, but the Hunstanton men’s team have already made their intentions clear as they ride high in Division Four of the Norfolk Indoor Bowls League.

Standing: Derek Moss, Andrew Younger, Cliff Humphreys, Robert Riches, David Greaves (Club President). Phil Grainger, Mike Halli:fax, Kelvin Crane, David Ilsley (Captain) Kneeling: Stuart Davidson, Adam Wells, Mark Charnley, Ian Cain, Paul Hallifax

On Saturday they had a losing draw at home to Lowestoft Railway ‘B’, sharing two of the four rinks, but conceding more points overall.

Captain, David Ilves, was pleased with the result despite losing top spot to local rivals, Lynnsport ‘B’. He's also inviting newcomers down to their coaching sessions at the Alive Oasis in Hunstanton every Wednesday (2 til 4pm). The first session is free. The Ladies start their season later this month.

Graham Keeley who plays for Hunstanton and won the Cliff Parade Open tournament in July

In the internal leagues, K Johnson, C Bunn and P Emerson lead the way in the AM, PM and evening triples leagues respectively, whilst L Humphries and M Dark lead their respective Pairs leagues.

Tennis

The local tennis league reached a conclusion recently. The league, which has been running for over 50 years, has 32 teams and over 150 registered players.

Dersingham Ladies were crowned Division One Champions, whilst the Dersingham Mixed team won the Mixed League. Dersingham Men ‘A’ and ‘B’ both finished 3rd in the Men’s Division’s 1 & 2 respectively.

Anyone looking at taking up tennis or joining a team can contact organiser, Stephen Tuppin, by email at Steve.tuppin@boc.com . He says, “The league is played in a competitive yet friendly spirit. The weather was relatively kind to us this year. Well done to the Ladies and Mixed teams. We welcome all ages and accommodate all abilities so if you would like to get involved next year please do get in touch.”