Hethersett Athletic F.C.

Away

16/01/00

Hethersett travelled to face unbeaten title contenders Toftwood Sunday. Ben Watt made a welcome return to the Hethersett defence with Danny Gaskin and Robby Harrison linking in mid field. New signing Jordan Mace was drafted into the squad for this important six-pointer. On a poor bumpy pitch the home side took the early initiative and looked capable of causing Chris Steward and his defenders problems. Steve Hyett was restored to keep goal and his safe hands kept the home side at bay. Hethersett, when they adjusted to the early pace of the game began to settle and played some penetrating football down both flanks. Nick Jones and Lewis Mace both forced the home keeper into action making good saves. The breakthrough finally came. Jones made a great run and his low cross was controlled by Harrison who then rolled the ball square for Scott Newstead to fire low past the keeper. 0-1

Hethersett shook the home side further when Robbie Lincoln put Newstead clear, his cross was met by the foot of Robby Harrison and the ball deflected off a defender past the stranded keeper. 0-2

Toftwood were becoming increasingly frustrated and three home players were yellow carded for some dreadful tackling. Hethersett were knocked out of there stride and in the space of ten minutes had allowed the home side to create and score two goals. 2-2

Hethersett had a great chance to go ahead when an indirect free kick in the penalty area was awarded. Harrison and Jones worked the ball but the effort hit the outside of the post.

Robbie Lincoln had been a real threat to the home side and he saw another effort brilliantly saved by the keeper. Two minutes later the same player made no mistake firing in from close range after another Hethersett free kick. 2-3

James Reeve was having a splendid game making some surging runs from defence but a challenge from behind saw the little defender take no further part in the game. Just before the interval a quick throw from Lincoln put Jones through and he gave the keeper no chance from six yards. 2-4

H-T 2-4

Hethersett had bad memories of the home encounter with Toftwood , leading by the same score line with minutes left they allowed Toftwood to level the game. This time we kept our heads and continued to create and miss more chances. Toftwood scored a third but then completely lost the plot. Three players were dismissed in the final fifteen minutes for foul and abusive language to the official leaving Hethersett to totally dominate the closing stages. Jordan Mace had replaced Reeve and the youngster showed what he could do, going close with a thirty yard free kick that just cleared the bar.

RESULT 3-4