LADIES 2NDS ON THE BRINK

The league season ended for six of our teams last Saturday and for the other eight the conclusion is reached this weekend with the most important match being the Ladies’ 2nds away to Bury St Edmunds (12.00) on Saturday. Victory for Laura Betts and her team will ensure their deserved promotion which looked threatened by their shock defeat by Sudbury 2nds early in March before three successive wins, including last Saturday’s 2-0 away win over Norwich Dragons 2nds, has helped the team to regain the initiative.

Before then the Men’s 1sts will be in action against Ipswich 2nds at home tonight (Tuesday, 7.45) hoping to return to winning ways after their 1-1 draw at Havering before they play City of Peterborough 2nds at Weybread on Saturday (2.15) to complete their triumphant and, hopefully, undefeated season. Meantime the Men’s 2nds travel to play Ipswich 3rds on Saturday (3.00) with a depleted squad after their crushing 18-0 win over St Neots who to their credit never gave up trying as every Magpies’ player, apart from goalkeeper John Livings, tried to get on the score sheet. And ten of the squad succeeded including Craig Snelling who touched in an already goal bound shot! Will Martin made a very promising debut.

The Men’s 6ths game against UEA 3rds was notable for the three Graham brothers, Charlie, James and Tom, playing together for the first time and with the rest of the team, led by Kevin Ridley, playing well in the 3-1 win over UEA 3rds. This week the team is away to Bury St Edmunds 4ths on Sunday – the time still awaited.

News and comments in brief

· The Ladies’ 6ths tasted defeat for the first time last Saturday at the end of their highly successful season but they were in good company as Bowdon Hightown (EH Slazenger Premier League Champions) and Reading (EH Slazenger Conference East Champions) did likewise.

· The youth section held another successful cake etc stall last Saturday despite the wet and cold weather resulting in many of the goodies being sold at the club instead of in the town. I can recommend apple and raspberry crumble for breakfast! My thanks to all involved and belated thanks also to Caroline Peters for the excellent coffee morning she ran the previous week.

· Matt Brand (Men’s 3rds) took his goal tally for the season to 41 last Saturday (he still doesn’t pay me for mentions!) but his hat-trick was overshadowed by James Goodson’s thoroughly deserved first of the season in the team’s 4-1 victory over UEA 2nds. Unfortunately the team have narrowly missed out on promotion at the end of an excellent season under the leadership of Joel Nelson.

· Angie Wheelhouse scored her 15^th goal of the season in the Ladies’ 1sts narrow 2-1 defeat at Southgate. Congratulations Angie on finishing the season as the second highest scorer in EH Slazenger Conference East.

· Congratulations also to our two U9 teams which did so well at Watton last Sunday and to skipper Tracy Reeve and her Ladies’ 4ths for their promotion.

· The Men’s Veterans have a double-header at home this weekend when they play Bedford on Saturday (12.30) and City of Peterborough on Sunday (12.00) while the Men’s 3rds and Men’s 4ths complete their programmes this Saturday away to Bury St Edmunds (1.30) and at home to Gorleston (4.00) respectively.

· The Mixed team travel to Southgate this Sunday (1.00) seeking a quarter-final place in the EH Trophy.

Best wishes to all our teams and supporters this week.

Mike Denham Tel: 01603 506925 E-mail: [email protected] 31/3/09