MURRAY’S MARVELS
After their sixth successive win the Ladies’ 1sts have a strong claim to top billing again this week but that accolade has to go to ‘Murray’s Marvels’, the Men’s 7ths, after their 5-1 victory on Saturday over Norwich Dragons 3rds. This triumph, in the last game of the day at Weybread, gave them a) their 17th victory from 17 games, b) the East 6NE league title and the one promotion place with three matches remaining and c) their 100th goal of the season. I can claim no credit for this vital win as my debut for the club after 40 years of retirement ended with a pulled hamstring after five minutes (I cannot recall we had hamstrings all those years ago?!) just before I was due to be substituted but at least I had the pleasure of pushing the ball back to Jon Wells (it’s obligatory to give it to Jon if skipper Murray Graham wins the toss) at the start of the game for my only touch of the ball!
But from the bench I was an anxious spectator as the Dragons’ keeper made a series of fine saves before his team took the lead and it could have got worse but for a fine goal line save by Keith Alexander. Relief came with Jon converting a penalty corner on the cusp of half time and Martin Reader giving us the lead seconds after the break. Thereafter normal service was resumed with further goals by Tom ‘Magic’ Miller, David Blackmore and the 100th goal of the season two minutes from the end by Ali Williamson. We celebrated this outstanding season in the clubhouse by drinking Jon’s champagne and eating Ali’s sausages. Well done to Murray and his Marvels!
Earlier the Ladies’ 6ths had got back to winning ways with goals by Katie Webb and Vanessa Vigrass in their 2-1 win over Hornets before the Ladies’ 1sts outplayed St Albans from start to finish in an outstanding display. After two disallowed ‘goals’ the team was 3-0 up at half time with a brace from the commanding Emma Lee-Smith and a third by Sarah Brook. The feature of the second half was a fine hat-trick by Emily Wilford as the team ran out 6-0 winners making it eighteen points from the last six games with seventeen goals scored and just three against. This Saturday (1.30) the team is away to Dereham who while still on the bottom of the league have been showing improved form of late.
Our next team to show their prowess on the water-based pitch was the Men’s 3rds who in an exciting encounter came out on top 4-2 over local rivals Norwich Dragons. Skipper Matt Brand put his side ahead before the Dragons converted a penalty stroke but Magpies were soon back in the lead when a 30-yard pass fired into the circle by Philip Cobbald was spectacularly converted by Toby Hughes for the goal of the day. Two quick goals after the break by the in-form Craig Whipps ensured three vital points for Magpies despite a late second for Dragons.
On the other pitch the Men’s 4ths went down 4-2 to Sudbury 2nds to increase their relegation concerns while the Men’s 5ths, without for once James and Rob Goodson, were playing out an exciting 2-2 draw (scorers Chris Thornton and Roger Kent) with fellow promotion hopefuls Holt Harlequins leaving them two points behind the North Norfolk team with a game in hand.
After their home defeat by St Albans the Men’s 1sts would have been expecting a tough time away to Old Loughtonians on Sunday and so it proved with a 5-0 defeat. With St Albans and Oxted below them winning again the team will be aware that a home win this Sunday (2.15) over Bromley and Beckenham would almost certainly banish lingering relegation or relegation play-off fears although their present tally of 19 points and good goal difference (with three matches to play) might just be enough. But after the recent spate of unexpected results I would not bet on it.
Away from home there were good wins by the Men’s 2nds who beat City of Peterborough 2nds 3-1 with goals by Robbie Kinsella, Sam Moore and James Legg, by the Ladies’ 3rds who beat Lowestoft Railway 2-1 and the Ladies’ 5ths who beat Reepham 7-2 while the Ladies’ 2nds were edged out by Norwich Dragons going down 2-1.
Please see the website for the full programme for this weekend which includes on Sunday the U10 and U12 Boys competing in the Norfolk Minis at Gresham’s School (10.00) and the U10 and U12 Girls playing in the Norfolk Minis at Weybread (9.30). Good luck to all our teams this weekend.
Mike Denham 01603 506925 [email protected] 8/3/11
amber jewellery from imajaz amber shop
amber jewellery from imajaz amber shop
