Weekend Football Update - 22nd & 23rd February

A topsy turvy King’s Lynn FC continue to flirt with the promotion play-off spots, whilst it was a positive weekend for most local teams.

King's Lynn  v Oxford City

In the National League North, having secured a 2-1 victory against ten man Oxford City on Tuesday, King’s Lynn couldn't sustain any momentum, returning from Darlington FC empty-handed following a 1-0 defeat. A solitary early goal sufficed to seal their fate. 

Despite huffing and puffing, hitting the crossbar in the second half, the Linnets lacked any real potency up front, allowing the home side to see the game out in a testy affair. 

The result means that the 10th-placed Quakers have narrowed the gap to six points behind the 6th-placed Linnets, with three games in hand. 

With only 12 matches left, the Linnets' standing in the play-off positions could come down to the wire, especially as they are set to face four of the five teams above them in the table, albeit all on home turf. 

A crucial away game against Kidderminster awaits tomorrow (Tuesday) evening, with the Harriers just two points adrift of Lynn with two games in hand.

Toby Hilliard rediscovered his mojo on Saturday, delivering a man-of-the-match performance for Heacham FC with two goals in their 3-1 home triumph over Harleston Town in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division. 

Sam Mulready congratulates Toby Hilliard (right) on his opening goal

The visitors have proved to be a bogey team for Heacham, having already beaten them three times this season, but this well deserved victory seems to have ended that jinx. 

Manager Paul Hunt has made a wise addition with Mildenhall Town loanee Sam Mulready, which appears to have reinvigorated Hilliard, as the duo, familiar with each other's playing styles, work effectively together. 

After an early goal was disallowed for offside, both Mulready and Hilliard combined for a superb team goal that put Heacham ahead midway through the first half. They then struck the woodwork twice in quick succession, but as the first half drew to a close, a sucker punch equaliser from Harleston left the match all square at 1-1 going into the break.

Josh Williams

Both teams pressed forward in the second half, with Heacham creating the clearer chances, particularly with Josh Williams orchestrating play on the wings. 

The turning point arrived late in the game when Harleston were reduced to ten men. 

Red card tackle on Hilliard

Karl Anderson delivered a stunning free-kick goal, which the linesman ruled had crossed the line, much to the furious protests from the visitors. 

Karl Anderson celebrates free kick (second left)

While it echoed the famous incident from the 1966 World Cup final, most of the 114 spectators, quite frankly, didn’t care. 

Hilliard capped off a fine performance with a late goal to secure the win. 

Heacham deserved all three points and avenged their 4-2 defeat against the same opponents earlier in the week. The Magpies remain in 14th place.

In Division One of the Anglian Combination League, Dersingham Rovers achieved an excellent 1-0 victory at home to Fakenham Reserves. 

Starting level on points, this win now puts the local outfit firmly in the promotion race. 

The ever reliable Joe Collison scoring the decisive goal. In-form Dersingham will be looking to carry this momentum into their Mummery Cup semi-final next weekend against high-flying Premier Division side, Wroxham Reserves (Kick-off at 2pm).

In Division Three, Ingoldisthorpe FC's challenging season continued with a 4-0 defeat away to 2nd placed Feltwell United.

In Division Four, Heacham Reserves moved joint top of the table with an astounding 15-0 victory over Gayton United Reserves. 

Alfie Buhlemann (4), Tyler Reeve (3), Jaden Poore (3), Blake Foster (3), and Tom Beattie (2) with the goals. 

Heacham are top, unsurprisingly, with a superior goal difference, although the teams immediately below them do have games in hand.

In Division Two of the North West Norfolk League, a revitalised FC St. Edmunds Hunstanton recorded their third consecutive win with a strong 2-0 performance against third placed Wanderers FC. 

Goals from Ellis King and Rhys Nichols securing the points. Hunstanton moved up to 10th in the table.

In the Thurlow Nunn Youth League, 4th placed Heacham FC U18s are back in action this week as they visit leaders Sheringham FC U18s on Thursday evening.

All images: Ian Burt