Hethersett Athletic F.C.

way

13/02/00

Hethersett suffered a real setback at the hands of lowly Brick makers , a result that allows the three chasing teams to gain ground . Hethersett have only themselves to blame for this result turning in a lack lustre display and guilty of some appalling misses in front of goal.

The non arrival of the referee saw a Brick makers official take charge and his inept handling of the game totally frustrated the Hethersett lads. A strong wind in our favour on the small pitch gave Hethersett total domination. In a one sided first half the home players were constantly pegged back but with the apparent approval of the "official" they were allowed to disrupt the game whenever the need arose . The lads were having to put up with some dreadful tackles and also off the ball kicks at Hethersett players that went unpunished. Lewis Mace went close when a close range header should have opened the scoring but he somehow managed to hit the wood work. More good chances fell to the same player but on three occasions Mace was found wanting. Jordan Mace went close with an angled shot but the home keeper saved with his feet. Rob Harrison was the next culprit firing high and wide from ten yards. Angus Greenhalgh deputizing for Steve Hyett in goal was a spectator only dealing with long balls fired forward from the home team. The referees attention was drawn to another incident when Scott Newstead won a tackle but was then casually kicked from behind as he released the ball. the referee taking no action.

Hethersett still pushed forward but continued to miss the chances that possibly would have settled the side down and the first half finished goal less.

H--T 0-0

The second half began against the wind with Hethersett still looking in control despite the continued aggression from the home players. Greenhalgh was then called into action tipping over a direct free kick, from the resulting corner , to the delight of the home players the ball found the net despite Greenhalgh's efforts.

The Hethersett players were looking for inspiration but with the home side still able to defend in depth and Hethersett unable to make the important breakthrough time was running out. Another blatant tackle felled Rob Harrison in the box, but the referee stopped the game to allow treatment for the guilty defender and awarded a goal kick A frantic final five minutes resulted in a sham when Lewis Mace was head butted by a defender after Nick Jones was kicked after another off the ball incident, but again the referee gave nothing to just about round off a very sad day, not for Hethersett but the game of football in general. Hethersett officials were very close to calling off the lads but after discussing the situation with the lads they decided to continue and play the final minutes out.

RESULT 1-0