Martham Tournament

A new destination for Heigham Park Rangers and one of just a four tournaments for the squad this season.

The squad

We arrived under leaden skies with a real threat of the thunderstorms forecast. The set-up for the under 10 class was 7-a-side matches with all the same rules that we were used to throughout this past season.

With only one group of five teams - Shrublands, Hemsby Hornets, Caister Roma and the home side, Martham, and matches of 16 minutes, we were in for a long day.

Kicking the day off

All the players were guaranteed plenty of action as we had no subs with us against teams that we had no prior knowledge of.

We started off slowly against Shrublands and had to thank Evie in goal for a marvelous save as the defence were breached almost immediately.

Shrublands hanging in there

From then on Heigham had the game under control with new signing Joe finding his way in the squad assisted by plenty of verbal instruction from captain Frankie. Two off-the-line saves from Shrublands kept the score equal until a cross from Felix was deflected into their net. Three points to Heigham.

Next up were Hemsby Hornets who looked handy but had soon been pegged back from a rocket from the boot of Ted. He later admitted it was a cross but a great goal none-the-less. Felix soon added another to this and Arthur opened his scoring card with two more.

Joe getting acquainted with the formation

Sam was joined in defence by Joe and helped Heigham keep a clean sheet for a 4 - 0 victory. Another three points.

The next opponents, Caister Roma put up more of a fight but an early strike from Arthur was the only goal of the match. A small scare in the first half, when Evie was almost knocked unconscious and Frankie cleared off the line, passed with only slightly increased heart rates from the adults.

Orange teams are always a threat!

Heigham, now top of the table with nine points, had one more game against the home team and their rowdy band of parents and supporters. The sun was now shining and the temperature had risen. The team had just finished the previous game and had to go straight out for another.

Plenty of corners against Caister Roma

This was tougher clash with Martham pretty determined to get something back from the game as they had lost one of their previous games and were in danger of not making the final. So many close misses from Heigham highlighted the need to get our accuracy sorted out for next season.

The Matham defence were particularly strong and the attackers very quick off the mark. A 0 - 0 was a reasonable result, although the Heigham side did well to keep the stamina up.

Great day in goal for Evie

We had to hang on for well over an hour to find out our opponents in the final - first and second in the table would play and Heigham had again won the group (the same thing has happened at all three tournaments so far this year).

As we suspected - it was Martham again but this time the Heigham players had had a good rest and a second burger.

We made a change to the successful formation which could have been a mistake on the part of the coaching staff. Felix dropped back into left defence and Sam went up-field. Frankie swapped from midfield with Joe and Arthur took the centre spot with Ted on the right wing.

Frankie just saved off the line

Again we clashed fairly evenly although Arthur was brought down twice as he made a dash for goal. Neither free kick found the net. The Martham side were getting physical and frustrated (this was their tournament after all) and made break forward. A moment of bad communication from the Heigham defence saw the only goal against us go in.

At half time the players decided to swap back into their previous positions. In the second half Arthur hit the post twice, Ted and Felix had the ball almost on the line on more than one occasion. A shot from Sam almost ruined the Martham goalie's chances of having children, although he was able to carry on.

With their trophies - Felix had to dash to a birthday party

None of the numerous attempts would go in and the final whistle came too soon. So, runners-up, but definitely the more skilled side playing good, clean football. All the players shook hands at the end despite the disappointment and the Martham mums came over to congratulate them also.

A great day out and another trophy for the players.

Horsford Tournament

The first tournament of the season and a cracking result with the team reaching a final for the first time.

We arrived very early on a chilly Sunday morning to find ourselves in what could have been termed "the group of death" with Sprowston A, Old Catton and the East Coast Warriors to contend with. With only one team going through to the semi-finals, we had our work cut out.

Luckily our first two games in this 5-a-side tournament were drawn against the easier teams - Hellesdon and CSC Rockets which we won comfortably 3-1 and 6-0 respectively.

The side were showing some great team play and that was about to be tested as we squared up to Sprowston A (winners of the Sunday 'A' League). This was a cracking match and the squad of Ted, Aidan, Archie R, Arthur, Max, Felix and Frankie really pulled together to win 2-1.

A great result which set them up for the next challenge of Old Catton. Again the players did the business drawing admiring comments from other team's managers and parents about the quality of skill on display. A 2-0 win for Heigham.

We were now clear leaders and the team to beat in the group, and with one game to go against East Coast Warriors we could get maximum points.

The game was evenly matched with the opposition holding on and keeping all attempts out. Their big danger player broke through at one point and accelerated towards goal leaving only Frankie as the last chance. The player struck with extreme force, the ball ricocheted off of Frankie's thigh keeping final score 0-0. As of Monday morning Frankie still had an imprint of the ball on his leg!

Through to the semis, we were drawn against Sprowston B - the best second place team. These were dispatched with an emphatic 5-0 victory to take Heigham Park through to the final against Sprowston A, who had beaten Taverham in the other semi final.

Heigham, now tired but elated, put up a forceful, if somewhat ragged performance but unfortunately were beaten 1-0 from a single chance from the opposition.

The Under 10 Runners-up collecting their awards

A superb performance from all the players showing great teamwork, skill and understanding.

Next year... the winners?

Christian League final position

So the final game of the season was played on Saturday morning at Heartsease to determine the Heigham Park squad's final position.

The game was against an improving Heartsease side, including one a player from the Sprowston Sunday squad.

Heigham had 6 players against the opposition's seven, but had all the play leaving very little for Gabriel to deal with in goal. The play was difficult as the grass was long but the outfield players of Luke, Evie, Sol, Fynn and Frankie made sure of the win and three points by half time scoring six and conceding none.

Frankie went in goal for the second half allowing Gabriel to get amongst the action. The final score being 7 - 0 to Heigham Park.

This means that all the players that have taken part in the Christian League games during the season can give themselves a big pat on the back as the final position is second, topped only by Stoke Holy Cross Under 10s.

A fantastic achievement as the table shows.

Heigham Park v Horsford

The Sunday league is almost at a close with just one more game after this one. Heigham Park will finish anywhere from second to fifth depending on the result of our last game and the outcome of several others' matches.

"You shall not enter!"

The clash against Horsford was a crucial three pointer, with the opposition having a late resurgence with wins against Scole and Hindolveston (two of our main rivals).

With the clock change, we were up and about early. Luckily the weather was kind with plenty of sunshine and an increase in temperature.

Heigham kicked off with a defensive line up of Frankie, Evie and Sam holding the back line - playing safe just to see what Horsford could throw at us.

Ted played in goal for the first half with Archie R and Arthur up-front and Aidan midfield. Sol waited patiently for the change.

Heigham held out well with few scares so we changed the formation after ten minutes and went on the attack. Sol came on for Evie and we pushed forward. Horsford bagged the first goal as Ted made a save that defelcted back to the feet of a Horsford player who was able to send it into the net.

After a somewhat elaborate celebration from Horsford, the red and whites kicked off again. Luckily Arthur was able to bag a goal almost straight away from and Archie R assist.

Heigham upped the work rate putting lots of pressure on and another run from Arthur and left-foot toe poke saw the away side go 2 - 1 up.

Half time came and went, Evie replaced Ted in goal and the formation remained the same. The sides were more evenly matched in the second half, although Horford produced very little for Evie to deal with except a couple of worrying goal mouth 'ping-pongs'.

Ted came on for Archie R and had a few opportunities with one clear chance but was penalised for a high boot. Sol so nearly had a header on goal but was pushed from behind, unseen by the young ref.

The last move of the game was a free kick to Horsford. Luckily the well struck shot went wide leaving Heigham with 2 - 1 victory.

Well done to them, a match played with some great team moves - especially the back passes using the defenders when moving forward. Thanks to Jez for deputising for Tom and James.

The first 9 v 9 game for the soon-to-be under 11s

Just a very brief match report and and some photos.

Heigham's first shot at the new format that will be introduced for their age group next season. 9 players, offsides and a bigger pitch with goals that are 7 feet high!

Taverham came straight out and scored, the Heigham players taken by surprise (Taverham have had a previous practice at this format). The side soon settled down and matched the visitors well from then on.

An unfortunate handball in the penalty area gave Taverham the chance to go 2 - 0 up. Ted got a hand to it with a fantastic dive, but couldn't make the save.

Heigham got lucky in the fourth quarter (they deserved more as they played a strong game) from a Taverham own goal and they nearly scored another to equalise towards the end.

All-in-all, a great practice session with the Heigham defence getting to grips with the offside rule and the players working really hard.

A bonus team photo at the end!

Under 10s Cup Quarter Final

Poringland v Heigham Park Rangers

This game's match report comes from our Junior Sports Correspondent - Barney Webb

A nice sunny morning at Framingham Earl for the quarter finals of the Cup against second in the league Poringland. Heigham began with a 3-1-2 formation – Max (captain), Frankie and Sam in defence, Aidan midfield, Arthur and Archie R. up front and Ted in goal. Evie and Felix were waiting to come on.

Poringland had two targeted shots in the opening minutes of the game but Heigham’s defence managed to clear. Good defending from Sam and Frankie stopped the home team getting a shot on target. A miskicked corner from Poringland resulted in Arthur gaining possession and placing a through ball to Archie R, in a one-on-one with the goalie but he shot over the bar.

A lovely through ball from Archie R. let Arthur have a shot on goal but was thwarted by a good save from the Poringland keeper.

A goal for Poringland from an easy tap-in to the bottom left corner. Within a few minutes Poringland got a second. From kick-off Aidan had a shot on target but was well saved by their goalie. From the corner Arthur had a shot but instead flicked the ball just over the bar.

Sam and Arthur were subbed for Evie and Felix midway through the first half. A shot from Archie R from a free kick was again stopped by the Poringland goalie, who had been kept busy just before half time.

So at half time it was 2-0, not a disaster, but more work was needed to get Heigham back in the game.

The second half began with Heigham on the front foot. Before long however another goal for Poringland on the break, last man Frankie went in to block the charge, but the slippery surface sent him over leaving the opposition a clear run at goal. Ted came out but the ball was nicely tucked in the corner bringing the scoreline up to 3-0.

Undeterred, Heigham ramped up the pressure. Three corners for Heigham gave Aidan a chance to have a shot but sent it just wide of the Poringland goal. Heigham continued the pressure with a through ball from Arthur which resulted in a corner from a shot from Aidan.

Frankie kept the back line strong with some brilliant tackles to deny Poringland shots on goal.  Evie’s persistence kept the ball in the Poringland half, with some solid kicks upfield.

A corner from Archie was cleared by Poringland and which was then gathered by Aidan and put back in the box. A foul from a Poringland player in the box resulted in a penalty which Aidan smashed down the middle. A great goal for Heigham making it 3-1 and raising hopes of a comeback for the visitors.

Heigham kept up the pressure with a lot of possession and keeping Poringland goalie’s hands full.

Arthur’s one-on-one with the Poringland keeper almost got the ball to the back of the net but a touch from the goalie sent it wide.

A few chances to break from Poringland were denied by the Heigham captain, Max, and Felix, Frankie and Sam.

Ted came on for Felix to boost our chances in the final quarter of play. Heigham struggled to score despite creating dozens of chances. Archie took another shot which again went just wide of the goalmouth. With 18 minutes gone in the second half, Ted finally scored following a nice turn, slotting it under the keeper and sending it to the back of the net. 3-2 and spirits further raised.

Frankie continued on top form, keeping a resilient Poringland from breaking through. Aidan shot from the halfway line, keeping up the pressure for an equaliser.

Another brilliant tackle from Frankie denied Poringland a 4^th goal.

Full time 3-2. Heigham played brilliantly, especially in the closing minutes of the game. Well done to everyone!

Barney Webb

Heigham v Hillside FC

Only three games left in the league including this clash at Recreation Road. Hillside have always put up a strong fight against us, although we beat them at their ground early in the season 4 - 2.

Heigham started off with a 3-at-the-back defence formation of Sam, Max and Frankie who took a few minutes to get into their stride allowing a couple of Hillside attacks to worry Ted in goal. Heigham soon countered with Aidan getting a shot on goal with the ball deflecting off the bar from the resulting corner.

Archie R had two shots soon after with the first saved by the effective goalie and the second sent sailing over the bar.

Arthur managed to break the deadlock with a goal from close range into the bottom left corner. Heigham celebrated too easily and were found off guard as Hillside broke through and equalised from the resulting kick-off.

Heigham kept up the attacking pace and were unlucky not get another one before the halftime whistle as the Hillside keeper stopped another of Aidan's shots on the line.

Halftime biccies and a change of formation. For the second half Felix partnered Frankie in a two man defence with Aidan staying in the middle, joined by Arthur to right and Sol on the left. Archie R was instructed to stay upfield.

The second half was a different game (two halves?). Maybe the change around had caused the desired confusion with the visitors. Virtually all of the play was at the Hillside end with Sol playing an excellent job on the left of the pitch.

The attacks were relentless but the ball would not find the net, much to the forwards dismay. Time was running out and we were looking at a draw (this happened twice last season against Hillside) but the players kept up the pressure. Ted had little to do, except on two possible occasions, as the defence expertly kept the play moving in the right direction.

Eventually the fine, passing play came to fruition and Arthur found the back of the net - via the post, for the second time. It was a long time coming.

Hillside didn't look like equalising again and their goalie had work to do. Aidan fired a high shot in from distance that he couldn't deal with, however, and Heigham came away with a 3 - 1 victory.

Another spirited and determined performance with every member playing their part. The stakes raised next week though in the cup quarter final as we visit Poringland again - who have just beaten Hindolveston 5 - 2 and the Corinthians 3 - 2. Time to think about tactics.