Heigham v Scole Lads

Scole Lads are up against it with only nine matches played (including this one) this season. Apparently, according to an informed source, their groundsman is prone to calling off matches at the drop of a hat if their pitch is damp - and from memory part of their ground is a swamp.

So it was lucky that we were allowed to play the match at Recreation Road with the sports hall out of action due to a gas leak and all other events cancelled until further notice. Persistence pays off, as we found during the game.

Our first encounter with this team saw us get a drubbing. We weren't prepared for their movement and skill (and of course the 10.30 kick off and a 20 mile drive) and were beaten 4 - 1. No excuses this time though. Our pitch was remarkably good with the bright sun over two days drying the surface adequately.

The plan was to try out three defenders as opposed to the two we have always fielded. This would give us strength at the back, but ask more of the two forwards - Arthur and Archie R, and Aidan, who would need to hold the middle ground.

Things started very well with a Heigham goal in the first five minutes from Arthur taking the visitors by surprise. Scole soon countered with their big number 9 causing problems for Frankie in right defence, a deflection off Ted's leg and it was 1 - 1. The teams were well matched so it was unfortunate that their forward got past Max and Sam to get their second.

Heigham were producing some great football and the opposition realised they had a job on their hands. Both Archie R and Arthur came close, but Aidan's run through the middle fed from Archie R's accurate pass just went wide. That would have been such a memorable goal if only.

The visitors scored another before half time and we were in the same position as our last encounter, 3 - 1 down - although we had belief this time and the new formation was holding up with Felix now in left defence and Sam and Max moving to centre and right defence. Release the Hobnobs!

Heigham had the best chances in this half and Ted's goalkeeping was exemplary despite a nasty knock in the gentlemen's area! Heigham pushed and pushed and were rewarded by a great strike from Archie R and we were back in the game.

Fortune smiled on the home side (although it was backed by serious hard work) when the ball was deflected from a Scole player into the net. The boys had pulled it back and nearly had a fourth as a Scole goalie/defender blunder saw the ball heading for the net again, only to spin to a stop just short of the line.

So persistence paid off and we came away with a well earned 3 - 3 draw against one of the toughest sides in the league. Let's hope we can keep the momentum going next week when we take on Poringland in the quarter finals of the Under 10s Cup.