Sports Update - W/E 14th & 15th March

Lynn humbled by new leaders, ten man Heacham beaten, Dersingham Women top table and Hunstanton’s Men's Indoor Bowls team on the verge

Football

King’s Lynn travelled to 2nd placed Fylde on Saturday looking to defend new manager Paul Challis’ unbeaten start at the helm in the National Conference North.

It couldn’t have started better as an early Ross Crane cross found the head of new Scunthorpe Utd signing Carlton Ubaezuonu, who managed to steer the ball just over the line and notch his first goal for the club in his second appearance.

However, Fylde are 2nd in the table for a reason and began to play themselves back into the match with some slick play. Lynn defended their lead well but the equaliser was always coming although it took an own goal from Simone Troso.

Fylde upped the ante after the break, running out easy victors in the end with three unanswered second half goals. Lynn remain four points above the drop zone, although their cause wasn’t helped as four teams below them in the table all won.

The win secured Fylde’s place in the play offs, although they actually went top after South Shields surprise loss at Hereford. In fact, Lynn host Shields tomorrow (Tuesday) evening (7.45pm Kick off) in a re-arranged fixture that caused the Sprinklergate saga recently.

Heacham FC’s Jake Poore, image Phill Gwilliam

In-form Heacham FC welcomed play off hopefuls and big spenders Haverhill Rovers to their Station Road base in the Thurlow Numn Premier Division on Saturday. 

HFC Captain Tommy Hunt, image Phill Gwilliam

Heacham gave as good as they got in the opening exchanges with loanee Joao Varela looking particularly sharp in attack. However, it was the visitors who took the lead with a classy goal from their impressive centre half, Casey Phillips. Heacham continued to press, but the returning Toby Hilliard gave them a mountain to climb after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge on the Haverhill keeper. Haverhill made full use of their numerical advantage and added two further goals, easing to a 3-0 win in the end.

Man of the Match, Tom Harwood, image Phill Gwilliam

Heacham remain five points clear of the drop in 15th place with seven games to go. They host 9th placed Harleston Town on Saturday.

The club was also delighted to welcome their first two Hall of Fame inductees recently. The first was ‘Mr Heacham’ and Honorary President himself, Dave Page. The second was ex-player and ‘Captain Fantastic’, Ed Tann who made over 150 appearances.

Dave Page & Ed Tann

In Division One of the Anglian Combination League, Dersingham Rovers went two up at Blofield United with a brace from Sam Peck. However, they failed to capitalise and some clinical finishing from the home side saw them run out 5-2 victors. 

In Division Three, Heacham Reserves ground out an important 4-2 win at Holt Reserves to keep their promotion prospects alive. Goals from Blake Foster, Ryan Mellor, George Rawlings and Tom Hawkins seeing them to victory. Heacham remain in 6th, six points behind leaders Briston, but have games in hand on most of the teams above them in the table.

In Division Four, Dersingham Reserves beat Wells Town Reserves 4-2 at home with goals from Sonny Devlin, Max Francis, Mason Haddleton and Devon Waldron. Derse can go 2nd with their games in hand. Ingoldisthorpe FC came from two down to take a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw at fellow promotion rivals Bradenham & Mattishall Reserves. Finn Miller-Neville, Ika Kortua and Jake Cook notching. After two consecutive defeats, Thorpe will hope to use this to regalvanise their promotion push.

In Division Two of the North West Norfolk League, Ingoldisthorpe Reserves continued their good run of form with a 2-1 win at Woottons Reserves. John Sapsford with a brace to bag all three points in a feisty affair. They remain in 3rd. Dersingham Rovers U23’s also had a good win, prevailing 3-1 at West Lynn to allay any relegation fears. Brandon King, Sam Wilkinson and Jake Parkin with the goals.

Dersingham Women captain and goalscorer Anne-Marie Harris, image Ian Burt

In Division Three of the Norfolk Women & Girls’ Football League, Dersingham Women impressively moved to the top of the table after a hard fought 2-1 win at Watton Utd Women. Two goals from captain, Anne-Marie Harris, securing all three points. No mean feat in what is their debut season at this level. Delighted manager, Georgie Archer, says, “Reflecting on the beginning of the season until now, our position in the league shows just how much dedication and hard work the girls have put in. I’m so proud. We still have a few more games to go yet but will continue to put the work in until the end of the season.”

Their main threat for the title is Dereham Women who are one point behind with two games in hand. Dersingham travel to Dereham in what could be a title decider on Sunday, April 26th.

Heacham FC U18’s were beaten 2-1 at Wisbech U18’s last week. They travel to Whittlesey Athletic U18’s on Thursday evening.

Bowls 

Hunstanton’s Men’s Indoor Bowls team did their Division Four title aspirations in the County Indoor Bowls League no harm at all with a convincing 6-1 home win over 3rd placed Wymondham C and, at the same time, ending the visitors attempt to gatecrash the title party. The top performing rink of David Ilsley, Kelvin Crane, Stuart Davison and Graham Keeley (27-5) leading them to victory.

The win moves Hunstanton 6.5 points clear of main rivals Lynnsport B although they do have a game in hand. It will all go down to the wire with a meeting between the two at Lynnsport on Saturday, 28th March.

The Ladies weren’t in action and slipped to 3rd after County Arts B’s win. They have two matches remaining and still remain in contention for, albeit slim, the title as well as for promotion.