Local football round-up: Brandon U9s turn on the style

Brandon Lasses U12 expected a tight game on a compact pitch away to Holt, and that’s exactly what they got. After a shaky first 10 minutes, Masters put the Lasses ahead after great work from Dargan and Skipp on the right. Holt came straight back at Brandon scoring from a fantastic lob a minute later. A fairly tight first half saw chances from both sides, Masters scoring her second on 23 minutes for Brandon, and Holt hitting the post just before half-time. Although Brandon were not playing as they had in previous weeks, they were still the stronger side and deserved the 2-1 lead at half-time. The Lasses came out for the second half playing much better football, pressuring Holt and keeping them pinned back into their own half, forcing the Holt keeper into action several times. Eight minutes in the pressure paid off for Brandon, with Masters poking home on the goal line for her hat-trick. With a 3-1 lead, Brandon looked comfortable on the ball, with Zawiasa, Skipp Dargan and Bales all having chances to add to the score line. Page and Robertson at the back were really being tested, and any mistakes were promptly dealt with. Against the run of play, an “Arsenal like” mistake between the Brandon defence and keeper saw the Holt striker nip in to score and bring the score back to 3-2. Almost immediately Brandon came back, with a great pass from the Brandon defence, Masters rifled the ball into the net to extend Brandon’s lead to 4-2. Holt kept going, forcing Amacker to make several great saves, at least two in one-on-one situation’s to keep the Lasses ahead. With the ref shouting 30 seconds left, Brandon tried to keep the ball and play out the clock, but were caught out when the never give up Holt team scored 60 seconds later. Final score: Holt Youth 3, Brandon Lasses 4. PoM: Georgia Dargan, a brave performance, and a great second half.

Brandon Lasses U11 were at home to a very good Norwich side and started brilliantly from the whistle. Louise Kennedy and Amaris Tyynisamaa were in outstanding form in defence. Alexis Coleman put in 100 per cent and was so unlucky not to score. Jess Morley tackled and passed in amazing fashion. Melissa Boulton was in amazing form again. Shannon Richardson was on fire up front. Mille Honour just keeps getting better and what a performance she had. Fraya Williams made some fantastic saves. An amazing team performance, the girls should be very proud of themselves, the result not portraying the passion and effort all the team put in. Final score: Brandon 0, Norwich City 2. PoM: Melissa Boulton.

Brandon Lasses are starting to prepare for next season. If you interested in joining any of the Lasses or Ladies squads contact Roger Field on 01842 813077/07769 944451 or email: rfield@brandonladsandlasses.co.uk. We are looking to add an under 9/10 squad for next season plus add to our existing squads at under 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and Ladies. The club caters for girls coaching from age six.

MUNDFORD U10 played Mulbarton, who got off to a good start against the run of play, scoring in the first quarter.

However, Jude, Harvey and Sam were all linking up well at the front enabling Harvey to even the score up by the end of the first quarter. Mundford then took control of the game never really letting it slip thanks to keeper Angus, and Billy and Fernando defending. Harvey and Luke managed another goal each in the second quarter with some brilliant passing amongst the boys. Sam continued the scoring making it 4-2 and was closely followed by a sublime weighted pass from James straight into the path of Harvey who made no mistake in netting it. Harry came on in the last quarter to provide some fresh legs up front. Harvey went on to score a further two goals making the final score 7-2. MoM: Fernando Alvez.

Mundford U12 secured the league title away at Thetford Town, They got an early goal from Jack Pinner and the same player added a second with a lovely header. After the break Mundford continued to try and play on a poor pitch and Ryan Harvey finished a nice move before his fierce free kick was nicely flicked in by Michael Corbyn. Thetford kept battling and some sloppy defending allowed them to pull one back. Corbyn and Harvey both grabbed another goal apiece and there was still time for Pinner to have a penalty saved. Final score: Thetford Town 1, Mundford 6. MoM: Joe Clarke.

Swaffham Town U10 hosted Surlingham and suffered their first defeat of the season. Surlingham started the brighter putting Town under early pressure but some good goalkeeping from Lenderyou and determined defending from Melladay and Burton Town weathered the storm. Town slowly found their momentum with O’Neill looking lively down the left took the lead when Worby’s cross was teed up by Friend for Despard to drive home. Surlingham surged back with two quick goals. Town threw on Burke in a last attempt to grab a point, Worby had a goal ruled out, but couldn’t find a way through a solid Surlingham defence. Final score: Town 1, Surlingham 2.

SWAFFHAM TOWN U10 travelled to Thetford Indies A to play the first leg of the league cup semi-final, started confidently when J Melladay hit a thunderous shot against the bar. M Friend sent T Burke clear and his shot was well saved by the keeper. Indies took the lead after Town failed to clear a corner. In the second half Indies put Town under constant pressure. C Burton and L Worby held the back line well and E Lait worked hard to break up Indies attacks, J Lenderyou also made some terrific saves. Indies went 2-0 up with a fine headed goal and then snatched a third with a quick break as Town were pressing hard for a goal. Final score: Indies U10A 3, Swaffham U10 0. MoM: Ewan Lait.

THETFORD BULLDOGS U11 drew 1-1 with Diss in the trophy first leg semi-final. A bright start by both sides saw keepers in fine form, with Adam in the home goal making one stunning point blank save and Bulldogs going close on more than one occasion with no luck. Goalless at the break it was Bulldogs who took the lead when Ben weaved his way through to calmly score. Bulldogs continued to attack but couldn’t find that all important second goal and with minutes remaining Diss equalised to make the second leg all to play for. MoM: Bradley.

THETFORD INDIES U9 played a great match applying pressure from the start. Indies continued to work well as a team. A well taken shot from Caroll, resulted in a great save from the Elmswell keeper. Baulch scored on rebound from a penalty. Good crossing resulting in a fine goal from Goldson. Barnett and Bennett battled well with Elmswell now under pressure. There was strong defending from Winstone and Bradly along with some fine saves from Lockwood in goal. Elmswell managed to pull one back. Byford’s shot hitting post on the stroke of half-time. Thetford continued to build on their first half performance with Carroll’s fine pass resulting in a super shot from Baulch making it 3-1. An excellent pass from Whiteaker resulted in a confident Goldson scoring a well-taken strike. Elmswell scored again in the last minute. Final score 4-2.

Thetford Indies U10 consolidated their second place in the league with a break for cup fixtures ahead of them, with a 4-2 victory over Brandon. Indies dominated play during the first quarter and broke the deadlock after a through ball from Aiden Try was superbly finished by Lucas Fowles who drove the ball into the top corner of the net. Aiden Try added to the scoreline in the second quarter after a fiercely-driven cross was put into his own net by a Brandon defender. Brandon fought back in the third quarter and wave by wave of attacks were rewarded with two quick goals that saw the scores pulled back to 2-2. Indies reacted quickly however through Kehan Whitby who restored their advantage. Indies secured victory in the final quarter after an Alfie Cooper shot came off the crossbar for Eddie McGill to then finish off for his first goal of the season. Man-of-the-match: Aiden Try.

THETFORD INDEPENDENTS managed by Martin Skipp kept the pressure on the teams above them in the league with a 1-0 victory over Danepak. Ian Fancett Scored the only goal of the game on 10 minutes as he raced onto a through ball to finish well. James Dean and Michael Watts missed chances to finish off the game, but the Indies defence held on well to seal the victory.

Watton U11 faced Wymondham Town in a top-of-the-table clash, and both sides produced a tremendous game of football that was a pleasure to watch. Both sides started well, playing excellent passing football, but it was Watton who grabbed the lead when Cameron Hudson nipped in to score. Wymondham responded well, forcing a couple of corners, and from one of these the ball broke for them to equalise before half time. The second half saw Watton up the tempo even more, with Ben Walker and Ollie Kerrison pressing the opposition defenders back, and Watton dominated the opening exchanges to take control of the game. First, a wonderful strike from James Beaumont saw them regain the lead, before a third from Joshua Walker shortly after gave them the comfort of a two-goal cushion. With James Sinclair, Ben Andrews, Sam Peck, Liam Owen and Kade Bond all outstanding in defence, and Asher Duncan in dominant form in goal. The game was now no longer in doubt, and further goals from Korben Willis, Sean Grix and a second from Cameron saw a final score of Watton 6, Wymondham 1.

Weeting U11 kept their unbeaten season going with this win over their visitors, they took control of the game after just 23 seconds when J Peeling fired in hard and low from just inside the box. The home team increase their lead with a goal which would have graced most matches when a three-man passing move was finished off by a superb diving header by R Hunter. N Ward soon made it 3-0 then a cross by Ward was sliced into his own net by unlucky defender and just before half-time R Hunter fired home number five. The second half saw Morley having a bit more of the ball but were unable to break down the back four of the home defence which was well marshalled by MoM M McCready. It took Weeting until 10 minutes from time to score again when B Saberton scored a rare goal and J Peach made it number seven when beating the onrushing keeper. PoD: R Hunter.

BRIDGHAM UNITED were poor in the first half against Gressenhall and were lucky to only be 1-0 down at half-time. The goal came mid way through the half when the Bridgham keeper and defence stopped believing the ball had gone out of play but Gressenhall played on and hit the post but put the rebound in for 1-0. Bridgham came out far better in the second half and made it 1-1 when James Taylor exchanged passes with Adam Haylett and Taylor continued into the box and finished well. Haylett playing well in midfield with Steve Wycherley then passed for striker Lewis Parish to lob over the keeper for 2-1. Luke Copeman capped a good display on the left wing with a superb strike from 25 yards out to make it 3-1. Grssenhall battled back and scored the goal of the game when one of their players hit a brilliant shot from 30 yards out which beat Matt Wabe in the Bridgham goal for 3-2 with six minutes to go. However despite some Gressenhall pressure Bridgham held out to secure a semi-final at home to Dereham Town A. Chris Marlow had a fine game at centre back but just beating him to man-of-the-match was Adam Haylett.

Watton United Reserves came up against one of the league’s toughest teams in their end-of-season run in this Saturday. Unfortunately the day could not have started any worse with the game initially being called off due to rain at just one hour’s notice, after Watton had made the long trip to Lowestoft to meet third-placed Waveney. However, in an interesting twist, Watton were offered to play the fixture on a full size third generation pitch a few miles down the road. Although the pitch health and safety signs stated clearly no metal studs were allowed, Watton were seemingly given an ultimatum of playing the game, having a point deducted for not fulfilling the fixture, or replaying the game on a midweek in April. All credit must be given to the Watton players who battled against a side third from top, taking them so close with Andy Rayner scoring early on, blasting the ball low into the net after creating an opportunity from Matt Colley’s goal kick. Waveney are a class team and showed much ball possession and attacking flair only to be stifled by the central defensive partnership of Heyward and Taylor and robust play throughout. Watton missing key players who not unfairly refused to play on what they considered a dangerous surface met the home side man for man and held them with the aid of great goal keeping from Colley for over an hour. Waveney’s pressure did however pay off in the last 20 minutes scoring from a penalty and a well-placed 35 yard pass with Colley out of position from a wide clearance, with the final score 2-1. Man-of-the-match: Matt Colley who performed heroics in goal to keep the score down in the closing stages. Ultimately, the team did have a great game on what must be said was a wonderful surface for those who did own suitable footwear. It is clear that the future of local football is bright with these pitches now available during the bad weather, but a little more information is necessary for the league, and managers to make educated decisions regarding these pitches, especially when the league have clearly not been offered safety details regarding third generation football pitches and studded footwear.