The above fund was established following the tragic death of Bethany’s father, Craig, in July. Members will know that Craig was a popular and keen Magpie and following suggestions from his former teammates a fund raising afternoon in aid of the fund is being held at the club on Saturday 17 December. This will take the form of two or more social matches starting at 2.00pm with match fees and any other donations going to the fund. Both men and women members, including those home from university, will be very welcome. If you would like to take part (bringing a coloured shirt in addition to your club shirt) please contact James Goodson ([email protected]) or Rob Goodson ([email protected]) as soon as possible.
In some ways the most interesting match at Weybread last Saturday involved the defeat of the Men’s 2nds who lost their 100% winning home record (to go with their completely opposite away record) by going down 5-4 to league leaders City of Peterborough 2nds. To put it mildly, after a promising start, we were verging on the awful as we found ourselves 5-1 down at the break following some early Christmas presents to the visitors. All we had to show on the plus side was a fine strike by David Francis but in the second half the team came out determined to do better and goals by Martin Fields (following a good run and shot by Robbie Kinsella) and two penalty corner strikes by Will Blyth put the team on the verge of the point their fight back deserved but they were denied by a solid spell near the end by the visitors. More of this fighting spirit will be needed at home this Saturday against Crostyx (2.15) if the team is to secure the three much needed points just before the Christmas break.
Earlier in the day at Weybread the Men’s 5ths beat the 4ths 2-1 with goals by Will Main and Chris Thornton after Elliott Ashurst had put the mainly youthful 4ths ahead early in the second half. In a game played in a competitive but good spirit the 5ths were able to make their experience and strength count in a third consecutive win which has consolidated their fifth place in the league. Meantime the Girls’ Development were going down for the first time this season losing 2-0 to a strong Norwich City team and the Boys’ Development, coached by the ever modest Andy Bedwell, were beating Norwich Dragons 6-3 with goals by Harry Haigh (2), Soloman Barker (2), Ollie Sharp and Jack Frere-Smith.
After assisting Robert Stimpson and Kirstin Cumming to clear a seriously blocked drain I was able to enjoy the Ladies’ 2nds secure their 12th win from 12 games with a comfortable 4-0 win over third placed Ipswich 3rds with goals by MOTM Krystal Bishop, Lucy Whiting and Anouska Hipperson (2). Goalkeeper Flora Marfleet was cruelly but amusingly named DOTD for not touching the ball once in the game and to make matters worse she was also required to pay her match fee!
The final home game of the day between the Men’s 7ths and Dereham 5ths was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of Dereham club member Phillip Goillau who so sadly died in the recent Norwich Half Marathon. The match was won 6-3 by the 7ths who after building up a commanding 4-0 win missed the calming presence of their absent skipper Murray Graham and midfield general Peter Dolton as Dereham hit back in the second half before the home team ensured victory for the seventh successive week. This Saturday the 7ths are at home to second placed Pelicans 3rds (4.00).
Away from home there was little to cheer as four of our Ladies’ teams went down to defeat before the news came through that the Men’s 6ths had secured a good point drawing 1-1 away to Bury St Edmunds 3rds and the Men’s 3rds, and league leaders, had beaten Norwich City 2nds 4-3 with a late goal – and his first of the season – by Kevin Ridley. ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man!’ I am reliably informed that Norwich City hit back and scored twice, after Jaik Mickleburgh’s opening goal, while Quentin Baynes was taking his turn on the bench (!) and before Gavin Cole put Matt Brand’s team ahead again with another two goals in his prolific season. This coming Saturday the team is away to Rutland (2.30) who they beat 3-1 at home in late September.
This weekend sees the start of the national indoor league with the Ladies’ 1sts, after their second place in last Sunday’s East Championship in Cambridge, playing in the daunting Premier League at UWE in Bristol while the Men’s 1sts have an equally demanding four matches at Loughborough University. Good luck to these teams and all our other teams in action this weekend including the U16 Girls in the East Championship in Colchester on Sunday. Please see the Home Page of the website for the full list of fixtures.
Other news and comment
a) It is thanks to everyone who supported last Saturday’s Tombola by giving prizes and/or buying tickets. The event raised £253 to help fund the activities of the Youth Committee. It is also thanks to everyone who attended the Ferret Racing and Bangers and Mash Evening which made a profit of nearly £300 for club funds. Special thanks go, of course, to Malachy and Helen de Lacy and their furry friends for a really fun evening. Finally, it is ‘thank you’ to all members who helped to run these events.
b) Congratulations to the U12 Boys who won last Sunday’s Rudd’s Minis at Gresham’s winning their four matches with a total of 32 goals for and none against!
Sprake and Tyrrell Builders, Bungay
