Tim's weekend football report

The football action from the 14th and 15th September

Heacham FC 1 Great Yarmouth Town 1

There were pre match predictions overheard on Saturday that Heacham could be “in for a hiding today” or “can't see us getting much out of this match”, particularly with captain, Ben Dear, and talisman Toby Hilliard absent.

However, a relatively young Heacham side started the better and managed to contain their high flying opponents in the early exchanges. In fact, the home side would have been disappointed they went in level at the break, as they had the better chances in the first half. First, Nathan Davies missed a gilt edged chance fizzing the ball past the post when through on goal and then the away keeper, Sam Adams, made a magnificent close range stop.

The writing seemed to be on the wall though as Yarmouth began to settle, playing themselves into the match. But Heacham had other ideas and continued to press. When Davies found himself in his ideal one on one situation, he turned his defender inside out before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the net, putting Heacham one up early in the second half.

Game management is key at this level and Heacham were doing just that. In fact, they should have added a second but for some excellent goalkeeping from Adams again. Yarmouth made a couple of substitutions late on and when Heacham conceded a late free kick at the edge of their box alarm bells set off amongst the home support. And so it proved, the ball was floated dangerously into the penalty box and substitute Jesse Fenn pounced to make it 1-1. At the end of the day, a point was welcome but Heacham will rue missed opportunities in a game they deserved to win.

Heacham can, however, take heart from this performance as they go into Saturday’s massive FA Vase match at Harleston Town.
Attendance - 165

Elsewhere, Dersingham Rovers continued their good cup form this season, although they had to do it the hard way at Thetford Rovers. After a 3-3 stalemate, they advanced 3-1 on penalties in the Mummery Cup. Ingoldisthorpe FC also progressed in the Cyril Ballyn Cup as they overcame KLSC FC 4-2.

Heacham Reserves lost 8-1 to KLSC Reserves earlier on in the season, but gained their revenge with an 8-0 rout in the CS Morley Cup. Dersingham Reserves returned from their arduous trip to Great Yarmouth based Belton FC with an impressive 3-2 win in the same cup.

In the North West Norfolk League Division One, both Dersingham Rovers FC ‘A’ and Ingoldisthorpe FC Reserves were on the receiving end of 2-0 defeats at The Wootons and West Winch respectively. In Division Two, Heacham Minors FC Development were 3-1 winners at The Wanderers.