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.