Hethersett Athletic F.C.

Away

05/03/00

Hethersett made the short journey to Earlham School to face in form side Unicorn Reserves. Unicorn have really put in some good performances in the past weeks and were expected to provide a real test for the young visitors. Hethersett were still without Neil Cockerton, Dave Martin and Nick Jones all out suffering injuries. Mark Wilson made his debut in the starting line up. Hethersett knew that a win or draw today would present them with the league title out right and they set out with the right attitude from the start. A pulsating opening ten minutes had the home side facing a stiff uphill challenge. Mark Wilson made his first contribution releasing Robbie Lincoln to advance and fire past the keeper after five minutes. 0-1

Shortly after Hethersett won a free kick, Chris Steward floated his kick goal wards, Danny Gaskins attempted header distracted the keeper and the ball finished in the net to the delight of Steward. 0-2 Unicorn tried desperately to get back into the game and they resorted to some unusual tactics to distract the visitors, fortunately the young players were mature enough not to fall for them. Danny Gaskin and Jordan Mace were working hard to stifle any threat from the home midfield, winning the tackles and releasing the two wide players Robby Harrison and Mark Wilson to provide the ammunition for strikers Lewis Mace and Robbie Lincoln.

A long throw from the left put the defender under pressure and his miss timed header flew over his keeper for an own goal. 0-3

Robbie Lincoln almost made it four but his lobbed effort returned off the cross bar, Lincoln could only watch in despair as his header then crashed back into play off the bar again. Steve Hyett then came to the rescue with a brilliant block from close range after a rare home attack. Hethersett,s defenders were again in command , Chris Steward, John Cooper, Ben Watt and Scott Newstead all showing a calmness and skill on the ball that bodes well for the future.

H--T 0-3

The home side were unable to get back into the game and they resorted to some tough tackling that earned them yellow cards. Hethersett allowed the Unicorn tactics to get to them and the game for the next thirty minutes became very scrappy. Hethersett finally got back to the football side and a brilliant three man move made the next goal. Danny Gaskin won the midfield tackle and sent Robbie Lincoln clear on the right, Lincolns low cross was met by the inrushing Lewis Mace who made no mistake from eight yards.

0-4

Mace then returned the favour for Lincoln but the chance was well saved by the keeper. Unicorn then had a player dismissed, Lewis Mace found himself with the keeper to beat, only to be crudely brought down from behind, the referee immediately taking the correct action. Lewis Mace took responsibility and crashed the ball past the keeper.

RESULT 0-5