Heigham Park v Poringland away

Ho, Ho and Ho.

After a fantastic first half to the under 10 season, let's not dwell on an uncharacteristic and unwelcome result to end 2013- hopefully the Heigham management team won't need to offer their resignations over this (we hear that AVB is now available but we couldn't afford the wages!).

The players have really progressed so far this season, with two memorable results against Hindolveston - a win and draw against a side we couldn't get near last season. The level of play has been really impressive and when it all comes together, they are capable showing any team the way to go. On Sunday, Poringland were coming back after a bad result the week before against Lakeford so were obviously keen.

Their manager said it was the best he had seen them play, unfortunately the Heigham side didn't produce their best performance on this occasion.

Heigham came out fighting and had the run of the pitch for the first five minutes, a great cross from Archie R so nearly found the foot of Arthur in front of goal. Soon after Sol almost chipped one past the goalie. It all went downhill after this. The side fought on and scored a couple of decent goals in the second half (Sol and Archie), but the day belonged to Poringland.

Onwards and upwards. Something we feel needs addressing for the future, and we are looking into, is some variation in training pitches. Currently the FDC 5-a-side pitches don't allow us practice set pieces effectively so we may consider a move to UEA if it's possible or have a couple of Saturday morning sessions on a proper pitch during the next phase of the season. We'll keep you all posted well in advance obviously on any changes.

The fixtures and teams for January and February will be out over Christmas and we are starting to make enquiries about friendly matches ahead of next season when we move to a 9 v 9 format on a bigger pitch. To get prepared for this many of the teams will be arranging friendlies and we will focus on this rather than enter too many tournaments.

So happy Christmas everyone, have a rest from footy - it's been a long and action packed term and players can hold their heads up high as a very competitive (and extremely friendly) team in the most challenging league in these parts!

By the way, the score was 7 - 2.

Heigham Park Rangers V Horsford

An unseasonably sunny morning, just the ticket for the two thirds of the management team that were slightly 'tired and emotional' from the previous late night. 'A game of two halves' so the cliche goes, and rightly too. 

Horsford are an old club with seasoned and experienced training staff although they are currently without a win in the league.

Horsford took the kick off and were shooting into the sun, although as Ted had predicted the clouds gathered and gave their goalie some relief from the rays. 

Heigham took sometime to warm up today and were slow to take opportunities. Luke got a chance in early on and hit the bar, but generally the passing wasn't evident. Horsford seemed to be playing a team of goalies (all wearing green!) as the photos show with the goal mouth crowded.

The Heigham defence and midfield of Evie, Sam and Aidan dealt with most attacks but gave us a few tense moments. The first goal came as a result of the crowded Heigham goal with Ted's view obscured by his own players.

It remained 1 - 0 at half time and a second to talking to was administered.

Frankie went in goal and Max replaced Evie in defence. The side came out with more fighting spirit although the goals just wouldn't come and it looked like Horsford were on their way to the first win.

Eventually Arthur was able to get a shot on target and equalise, which raised the spirits of the Heigham management. Ted came on for Felix ten minutes into the second half and made an immediate impression passing and running down the left linking up with Archie R and Arthur. It wasn't long before Ted's determination had got Heigham back in the lead.

Despite the short time left things looked much better with Max feeding the ball to the midfield and Aidan perfectly distributing to the forwards. A pleasure to watch and very soon Ted was able to side step the Horsford goalie to get his second.

Very shortly after that another skillful link up allowed Archie R to send a cracking shot on goal just tipped over the bar by the goalie. A shame as he deserved that one as Archie R set up all four goals today. Ted sealed his hat trick by turning 360 degrees in front of the Horsford goal and popping Heigham's fourth home.

In the end, a great result, 4 - 1. It shows what they can do when they get going.

Heigham Park v Hindolveston

A thin layer of chocolate. That's the difference? 

After the lack lustre performance last week at Scole (just wait until they come to Rec Road!), a stiff talking to was needed. Hindolveston are the only team we didn't beat last season, losing twice both away and at home. We turned it around with a 3 - 3 draw at the first game of this season, but knew we needed to 'pull our socks up' if we were to get a draw today.

With the warm-ups and team talk out of the way, chocolate Hobnobs (recently the shop has had a £1 offer on normal Hobnobs, so we've been fueling the team with them) administered and we embarked on an action packed encounter on what could be described as an 'agricultural' surface.

We were playing uphill too so it was no surprise that Hindolveston dominated the first five minutes or so.

Heigham soon found their stride and pressed the opposition goal with Archie R upfront and Aidan behind working effectively with Arthur on the right and Felix on the left.

Max and Sam had their work cut out with some close call in the penalty area, but the game became quite evenly matched. Until a shot came from just inside the Heigham half (not a massive pitch once again) and Ted's dive was just too short.

Sol replaced Felix on the left and battle commenced. Heigham were now working hard to dispossess and keep possession troubling the Hindolveston goalie and winning a crucial corner. A perfectly placed ball from Archie R found the waiting head of Sol and we were back in the game. A contender for goal of the season that one.

 Evie came on for Max in right defence and chances came and went for both sides until the ref blew up for half time.

Oranges and the remainder of the magic biscuits were dished out to eager hands, a team talk - more of the same in the second half please and we were off once more.

Heigham, shooting down hill this time definitely had the better of the play certainly for most of the half. Some great breaks saw Archie R, Arthur and Sol get behind the Hindolveston defence on numerous occasions, eventually a superb link up allowed Sol to net his second, which proved to be the winner.

Frankie came on for Sam in left defence and helped keep the mounting attacks at bay. A series of Hindolveston corners at the end kept the adults nerves on edge, but the players did their jobs, including a magnificent save from Ted and late block from Felix.

The relief (yes, a relief - luckily the management currently are in fine cardiac health) of the final whistle was palpable. Smiles all around (from Heigham) during the hand shake and well earned win.

Every member of the team played their part today and worked their socks off to get a result. No complaints, it seems the team ethic is strong. Although Sol put the ball in the net twice, perfectly assisted by Archie R, it was the team that won the game.

On a good, this squad can take on the best of them. And win. Not forgetting about the taking part of course.

Heigham Park v ENYP

A slightly bizarre situation today as Heigham Park had a double league fixture at Bignold School  - with two games against the same team; ENYP.

Not a team to be trifled with, we soon realised, having demolished a few of the other Christian League sides. We have beaten them before in friendly, although they were without their very nifty and skillful number 7.

The team kicked off and were soon dominating the game with Evie having a quiet time in goal, while Fynn, Luke and Felix ran attack after attack at the ENYP defence. Max had a couple of great shots with one bouncing off the bar.

The pressure paid off and Fynn soon found the net. ENYP weren't going quietly, Frankie and Mark were kept busy in defence. Some great midfield play from Max and high ball at goal was finished off by Luke to make the half time score 2 - 0.

A quick change around with Sol on for Felix and Gabriel in goal for Evie and we were off again. A brief lapse in responsibilities and ENYP had nailed one back and had the wind in their sails. Luckily the side held it together with the help of a second strike from Fynn to end the first game 3 - 1.

A short interval and some Hobnobs and we were back at it. ENYP had invigorated themselves (chocolate Hobnobs?) at half time and posed much more of a threat. They were soon 1 - 0 up as a result of a well worked short corner. Another dereliction of duties on behalf of the Heigham side and we were 2 - 0 down, this from a fantastic run down the right from the ENYP number 12 with the Heigham defence left at the wrong end of the pitch!

The plucky Heigham side pulled out the stops and got two back - Sol and Felix - to keep the spirits up at second half time. Again it was clear that ENYP sensed victory, but despite Heigham having the majority of play and pressing the opposition goal on numerous occasions, it ended in a draw; 2 - 2.

Heigham Park v Scole Lads

A fine, sunny Remembrance Sunday morning, unfortunately not a memorable game for the Red and Whites. Maybe it was the early start or the lack of recent training but we just didn't get going. It didn't help that the Scole Lads were keen, well drilled and skillful. 

This is the team that knocked Sprowston out of the Under 10s Cup recently, so are a force to be reckoned with.

Scole were ready from the off getting players in good positions and generally keeping Heigham off the ball. Aidan was kept very busy in midfield with Sam and Max doing their best to keep the attacking forwards at bay.

It wasn't long before the first goal had found the net from the opposition. The team weren't dispirited, only one goal down.

Soon Ted, in goal was dealing with more and more shots and the score crept up to 3 - 0 to Scole. Arthur and Archie R were continually frustrated and unable put many chances together, Heigham shots on goal were few. On the occasions when the Heigham players hooked up, their talent was evident, with Frankie netting the ball at the end of a smart series of passes. A consolation goal for the visitors.

The half time talk did some good (we even forgot about the biscuits!) as the side came out a put some fast passing play together. But to no avail as Scole netted another to finish the score at 4 - 1 to the home side.

Let's hope we can get the mojo back with some focussed training on Friday before the the weekend's clashes against ENYP in the Christian league on Saturday and Hindolveston (always a tricky one) on Sunday.

Heigham Park Rangers v Lakeford Athletic

Another blustery day and plenty of opportunities to keep the adults on edge!

Lakeford are unfortunately languishing at the foot of the table, so we were quietly optimistic despite our regular goal maker living it up in Paris.

It soon became apparent that we had a game on our hands. The players decided to make a meal of it and were nearly caught out a couple of times in the Heigham goal mouth. Sol and Felix made some great runs down the right and left respectively and tracked back to defend when necessary.

Sam and Evie were on the ball but gave us a couple of scares, luckily Lakeford don't finish the job so well and the sheet remained clean at half time despite a couple of shots from Arthur and Aidan and a goal claim from Archie G, although the ball didn't pass over the line completely. Where's the goal line technology when you need it.

A quick Hobnob and chat - more passing we said, obviously.

Frankie played on the left and found bags of space on many occasions. One of our team targets is to use the space often neglected when the centre and right are crowded out. Eventually Arthur made good and popped one home, much to everybody's relief, except the Lakeford supporters of course.

Ted wasn't too busy and it was felt it was time to unleash him as he'd requested. Evie took over in goal allowing Frankie to move into right defence, Sol to move to the left and Ted to the right wing. Chinese soccer puzzle time.

Just to make sure of a win, Arthur made a second and the game was in the bag. It was more difficult than it should have been but the players came through in the end despite a rough and tough opposition who weren't averse to using their strength.

Heigham Park ups and downs...

Saturday 26 October against Surrey Chapel & Cringleford

Another chapter in the Christian League played out in changeable conditions ahead of the impending storm. The Heigham team played in yellow bibs against the red of Surrey Chapel. It soon proved that the boys were going to be using this as an opportunity for training as the score was soon at 3 - 0 with Fynn bagging a couple and Archie G on his way to another hat trick.

In fairness to the opposition, we fielded 6 players instead of seven, but the final score line still ran to 11 - 0 with one from Max, another from Luke and six from Fynn whose dad, Martin had (foolishly) offered him a fiver a goal (ouch!). 

Well done to Surrey Chapel who carried on regardless of the score. The result leaves Heigham Park second in the Christian League only on goal difference.

The second match (a friendly) against Cringleford would prove more difficult as they're a more experienced and well drilled side. 

It took a bit longer to get the first goal, but we were soon on the way to a 5 - 1 win. The defence of Mark and Frankie kept the Cringleford forwards at bay, although they did get through occasionally and managed to get one past Gabriel who had a good spell in goal for both games.

Saturday 27 October against Firside Athletic

With many player unavailable for this clash, we were fielding much the same team as the Saturday games with the addition of Sam and Sol. We were up against from the start with a small pitch, muddy conditions, high wind and a pitch on the slope! Excuses out of the way - we know it's the same for both teams. 

Captain Frankie opted to shoot downhill with the wind for the first half, and the boys did a great job with several close attempts only stopped by the nifty Firside keeper.

Max had a couple of good chances from distance that went high due to the wind, he nearly put a corner away with great header that just went wide. 

Sol, in goal wasn't bothered to much in this half, although Sam and Frankie had to keep their eye on the big number 5 whose job seemed to be to hang around the Heigham goal. When danger threatened, the defence were able to dispossess him each time.

Fynn, Luke, Felix and Archie G were rotated in attack and it soon became clear that the ball would not go in the net. Luke hit the post and the goalie dealt very effectively with every shot sent his way.

At half time we cleaned as much mud off of boots as we could before we faced the uphill struggle and wind-in-the-face second half.

The play now switched with the Heigham goal under pressure. The boys were finding it hard on the cramped pitch to get some passing linked up and keep possession. When they did link up, they found themselves out playing the opposition and were straight in front of goal - unfortunately the Firside keeper awaited them.

A series of Firside corners resulted in the only goal of the game, a cracking header that found the Heigham net.

The team battled on, but as we had told the players at the start, this team needed a win in the league and this was their opportunity. We finished with a couple of good runs and a final chance as Fynn received the ball from a quick fire passing sequence, had a clear shot on target only to find that keeper waiting again.

So 1 - 0 to Firside, but despite the score, the players did really well under the circumstances showing a great improvement. On a bigger pitch their passing skills would have been more fruitful as there were many times when we should have scored, only for the ball to get deflected or just go the wrong side of the post. Or over the bar.

Shame about the score as we would have been second in this league too. Not to worry, a few tears were shed - mainly from the adults. Onwards and upwards!