Sports Update - W/E 18th & 19th April

Complicated permutations for Lynn to avoid the drop, Heacham secure status, Indoor Bowls Presentation evening and local lads run Manchester Marathon for charity

Football

Carlton Ubaezuonu scored a last ditch injury time goal for King’s Lynn Town FC on Saturday, as the ten man Linnets secured a vital point in a tense 1-1 draw at home to Chorley FC. 

With Lynn reduced to ten after Ross Crane’s dismissal and Chorley leading, the writing appeared to be on the wall but Unbaezuonu snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat against his former club. 

Ross Crane in action before red card

In their penultimate game of the season Manager, Paul Caddis, said, “The crowd was understandably frustrated and it would have been easy for the players to collapse, especially as a young group but the experienced lads who came on made a big difference."

All images Ian Burt

Lynn’s season will go down to their final game at Chester FC this coming Saturday (12.30pm Kick off). A number of scenarios could save Lynn from the drop, but a win would definitely secure their status at the Conference League North level - although this is a big ask in a match Chester may also need a result to secure their play off place. 

Conference League N/S Table

Alternatively, should Hereford lose one of their final two games, this may be enough - assuming there isn’t a huge goal difference swing.  However, Hereford have two home games against teams who have nothing to play for. 

A point for Lynn would also be enough at Chester, should Bedford Town lose. 

It is very much in the hands of the gods and dependent on results elsewhere.  Caddis added, "It’s a one-game season now - probably 100 minutes the way games go - and we’ve got to embrace it.”  All eyes will be on Hereford’s match at home to mid table Marine tomorrow evening.

In the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, Heacham FC went into their final league game at home to Walsham-le-Willows knowing they just needed a point or for Lakenheath to drop points at home to Cornard Utd to stay up. 

Heacham came out of the blocks and amazingly took a seemingly unassailable 5-0 lead in the first 30 minutes with a brace from Toby Hilliard and a goal apiece for Dylan Edge, Tom Harwood and Colby Wood. The visitors then pulled it back to 5-2 before Harwood saw red for the hosts. 

When Walsham scored a third and Lakenheath took the lead in their match, the 200 spectators became understandably edgy. However, manager Mark Hunter, who took over the reigns in November, has managed to transform this young Heacham side from relegation favourites into a team that can compete at this level as they managed to see out the win much to the delight of a somewhat relieved yet ecstatic home support.

Mark Hunter congratulates assistant Andrew Wood

Hunter said, “We were delighted to finish the season on such a high note in front of our home fans on Saturday. Today's superb 5–3 win against a really competitive side in Walsham-le-Willows, was the perfect way to sign off, showing the character and goal-scoring threat we know this squad possesses and demonstrated the strength and depth of the squad we have now built. 

"More importantly, this result confirms our place in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division for next season which everyone at the football club has worked so hard to achieve.”

In Division Three of the Anglian Combination, Heacham Reserves continued their excellent run of form with an impressive 4-1 win at leaders, Briston. Noah Fox, Tom Hawkins, Vinny Marchetti & an own goal securing the points. Depending on results elsewhere, Heacham will be looking at a minimum top four finish with two very winnable games left.

In Division Four, Dersingham Reserves continue their meteoric rise up the table. After a 5-1 win over local rivals Ingoldisthorpe FC in midweek, the had a good 2-0 win at bottom side KLSC Reserves, with a Sonny Devlin brace. Derse are up to 3rd, and face a potential title decider with leaders Terrington Tigers on the 2nd May. 

In Division One of the North West Norfolk League, Dersingham Rovers ‘A’ allayed any relegation fears with an excellent 4-2 home win over champions elect and leaders Wanderers. Sam Peck, Joe Collison, Josh Smith and Jamie Wightman with the goals.

In Division Two, Dersingham U23’s were comprehensively beaten 5-0 at title favourites Gaywood in the semi finals of the League Cup. Ingoldisthorpe Reserves were without a game but are still targeting a top three finish with one game left.

Dersingham Women returned to the top of Division Three Norfolk Women & Girls’ Football League on Sunday, with a hard fought 2-1 win at home to Wymondham Wolves. Emma Leech adding to her season’s tally with a brace. 

Heacham FC U18’s signed off their season with a 3-2 loss to Wisbech Town U18’s last week, as the visitors scored a late winner. Heacham ended the campaign in 8th position.

Indoor Bowls

Another pleasing turn-out for the Hunstanton Oasis IBC end-of-season presentations met at Searles on Thursday 16th April. As the club's chair was unable to attend, the club secretary, Kevin Johnson, welcomed the Guests of Honour, Mr Paul and Mrs Naomi Chapman, representing the family of long-time club members and officers of the club Shirley and Ken Chapman, who both sadly passed in the last few months. 

A kind donation by the family from Ken's funeral had allowed the club to introduce a memorial trophy in their honour, which the club used to raise monies for the Blood Cancer charity, as requested by Shirley. The money raised by the playing of the trophy was added to that raised at the presentation via a raffle, ran by Mrs Janet Kendal and her ladies, making a total of over £560.

Afternoon League winners from left - Sarah Pugh, Hazel Bloor (Capt), Graham Keeley, Dennis Acott, June Taylor, Nick Pugh.

The evening continued with a hot buffet, which proved so successful that several members were seen leaving with 'doggie-bags', followed by apple and berry crumble, at the behest of Ms Faith Harman, who had taken on the role of organiser for the meal and insisted that the guests got, "...ready to crumble!"

Then came the presentation of numerous club awards, both league and competitions, with especial kudos for Mrs Margaret Dark and Mr Peter Scott who both went home laden with silverware, but equally pleasing was the award of the 'Most Improved Player' to Mr Phil Oldroyd by the coaching staff. 

Long serving coaches, Mr Frazer Clement and Mr David Ilsley stepped down this year, and were presented with a small token of the club's thanks.
The draw for the raffle concluded the evening, with the first prize drawn fittingly going to the Chapmans.

Thanks must go to Paul and Naomi, Faith, Janet and the staff of Searles for the success of the night, plus the members who again supported the event.

Marathon 

Joe Gascoigne and Alfee Melton

Joe Gascoigne (24) from Sedgeford and Alfee Melton (23) from Heacham took part in the Manchester Marathon on Sunday, with over 40,000 runners. 

Both performed admirably on the 26.2 mile course, in 4 hours 26 minutes, not bad for a first marathon. They're raising money for the Bobby Copping Foundation (BCF) - which aims to make fully funded, professional mental health support instantly accessible to anyone who needs it. They've so far raised over a thousand pounds.

You may have seen the duo out and about recently, pounding the local streets in training - Alfee, who is actually Dick “the Sage” Melton’s grandson, said it has been, “The most physically and mentally challenging 20 weeks of my life but all for a great cause. We smashed it.”