Times youth notes – Watton win title

Watton claimed the trophy that all their hard work this season has deserved. On Saturday morning, Watton travelled to Mattishall, and two goals in each half saw Watton clinch a comfortable 4-0 victory. The scorers were Cameron Hudson (2), Kade Bond and Korben Willis. The following morning, Watton were on the road again, as they faced St Andrews, and knowing what victory meant, came flying out of the blocks. Despite dogged defending from the home team, Watton dominated throughout, and three goals in the first half saw Watton take control. The second half saw Watton now play some wonderful football, looking like champions, and despite a well-deserved consolation from St Andrews, Watton claimed another six goals to clinch a 9-1 victory. The scorers were Joshua Walker (3), Sam Peck (2), Korben Willis (2), Liam Owen and Cameron Hudson. After the game Watton were presented with the Norfolk Youth Combination B League title, and with their hosts, celebrated another tremendous season.

SWAFFHAM TOWN U10 travelled to league leaders Harling, and made a great start when J Melladay hit a stunning free-kick into the net. M Friend then ghosted in to head in L Worby’s cross. D O’Neill unleashed a powerful shot to make it 3-0. Harling hit back and J Lenderyou produced four brilliant saves. Town’s on-fire striker, L Worby made it 4-0 and then went onto complete a double hat-trick. C Burton, T Burke and J Melladay were in commanding form in defence, as E Lait created chances for M Friend to complete his hat-trick. Harling scored a late consolation goal before H Despard hit a thunderous dive into roof of the net. A brilliant team performance. Final score: Harling U10 1, Swaffham Town U10 12.

HARLING COLTS U13 played Sprowston U13 in their final league game of the season which ended in disappointment with a 3-1 defeat. Jamie Woodcock made a fine save and Rory Olpin hooked one off the line before Sprowston took the lead just before half-time. Harling equalised just after the break when Luke Holland’s run and cross was converted by Trafford Rusted but two further Sprowston goals put this game beyond Harling’s reach.

THETFORD BULLDOGS U13 travelled to Scole U13 in the league and came away losing 3-1. This was probably the best footballing display of the season from Bulldogs, and they were only prevented from scoring by an in-form Scole goalkeeper, who was outstanding from the first whistle to the last kick of the game. Bulldogs were 1-0 down at half-time, and shortly after half-time conceded a penalty which Scole converted. Bulldogs then pulled one back when Alfie Small produced a great cross which Daniel Stevens put away with an equally good header. Bulldogs kept pressuring the Scole goal but then conceded a third late on. Well done boys, a great display. Bulldogs’ MoM: Jordan Borrer. Scole MoM: Andre Marcao.

THETFORD INDIES U10 didn’t end their promising season as they would have hoped with a 3-1 home defeat to Brandon. Despite Indies riding high in the SNYFL table, it was Brandon who played the more consistently good quality football throughout the hour. Indies’ best spells came early in the game and it was against the run of play that Brandon took the lead. That goal gave Brandon confidence and Indies looked shell-shocked. Brandon took the game to Indies during the second and third quarters scoring two more goals before Kehan Whitby grabbed a lifeline for Indies during the final quarter with a goal which sparked a spirited fightback, albeit too late. MoM: Jamie Humphrey.

THETFORD INDIES U10 got back to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 victory over Lakenheath U10. A single goal in each of the first three quarters didn’t tell the whole story as Indies dominated from start to finish and could have scored more. Harry Blake opened the scoring during the first quarter as he got on to the end of a crossed ball. Sonny Kovacs then scored his first goal since joining Indies with another neat finish from a pass across the face of goal. Aiden Try completed the scoring during the third quarter, finishing off some neat passing between himself and Diogo Silva in the penalty area. Alfie Cooper secured MoM honours for his tireless hard work and commitment to fight for the ball.

THETFORD INDIES U10 became only the second team this season to take points off league winners Wymondham U10 as they earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw. There was little between the teams over the course of the hour, but it was Wymondham who got off to the better start, pressuring the Indies defence who held out well. All the goal action came during the second quarter of the game with Wymondham taking the lead after a mix-up in defence led to an own goal caused by a desire to try and clear the ball away. The same player who scored this own goal, then made amends just two minutes later as they went up for a corner with Brandon Dawson neatly putting the ball away from an Aiden Try corner. Both teams had their chances throughout the rest of the game, and some fine saves from Indies’ Jamie Humphrey secured his team the point and earned him the MoM honours.

THETFORD TOWN U13 made the short journey to Rocklands and came away victors with a 7-2 win. Max scored a hat-trick, Daniel found the net twice and there was a well-deserved goal each from Harry and Bart. The whole team played fantastically and all should feel proud, but the hero of the game and Town’s MoM honour goes to Samuel as 20 minutes into the game found himself in hospital with a nasty injury. The team and parents wish him a speedy recovery. The club would also like to thank Rocklands’ manager and parents for their support, along with John Deacon the ambulance driver.

WEETING U11, who are league champions, finished their season off with another fine win which kept their unbeaten league season intact. Weeting changed their line-up by giving players a chance who had not scored this year and were soon rewarded when R Jenkins hooked home over the keeper. D Buonocore volleyed home number two with a rocket of a shot, R Jenkins then fired two more in for his hat-trick before half-time. The visitors kept the pressure on in the second half and once again R Jenkins scored twice to give him a total of five, D Buonocore scored number seven after close control in the box. The home team then scored a goal – which their hard work keeping the visitors out deserved. K Elrick then hit a 25-yarder that smashed off a post but five minutes later after a corner was cleared, he rifled another one right into the top corner for a final score of 8-1. MoM: R Jenkins, PoD: D Buonocore. Weeting thank all the other teams and the South Norfolk Youth League for another great season.