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!