Lowestoft area junior football reports

GALE force winds descended upon Mattishall on Saturday and it was the away side who dealt best with the blustery conditions to claim maximum points.

With the elements having a considerable impact on the course of the game, Waveney were forced to battle hard in the opening period whilst facing the strong gusts and the aerial tactics of the home side.

The back four were excellent in dealing with the seemingly relentless early pressure from Mattishall, with Grigg clearing everything that came his way and Salmon showing his usual composure. Despite having considerable difficulty in keeping possession, Waveney were still looking to attack and take the game to the opposition.

This positive approach paid dividends as the visitors struck first. Receiving the ball in the box, Renshaw cleverly made half a yard to shoot and although this was blocked, Barker was on hand to convert the rebound.

Mattishall did grab an equaliser shortly before the interval but failed to get the half time advantage they needed, mainly thanks to a resolute performance by the visitors.

The first half slog suddenly looked to be pivotal as Waveney found passing much easier and did not take long to restore their lead. Great interchanging passes from Scarff and Willis found Ballard wide right and the winger deservedly scored by firing low at the near post.

All players were seeing much more of the ball now, including Jessup who was battling well to get Waveney moving. The third goal, when it came, effectively ended the contest.

Barker chased a searching pass and in beating the keeper to the ball, flicked it over his head to then pass into the open net.

The final acts of the game went to Willis; who before bravely clearing off the line, had rounded off proceedings by finishing well off the post, after a clever dummy by Aldis.

A great performance from Waveney, secured by a combination of hard graft and fluent football. Simpson's Skoda MoM: Joe Barker.

Notley's Lowestoft and District League Blundeston Magpies 2, Kirkley and Pakefield A 0

BOTH teams struggled throughout this game with the strong wind making passing football very hard.

The Magpies adapted quicker and had K&P under pressure from the start and after four minutes Jarvis slipped a ball to Mawford who put Owen Smith away, he left his marker and centred to Martin who beat the keeper to score.

From then on Magpies dominated the play but Kirkley dug in and although they had chances, a combination of good keeping and bad misses kept the score down to 1-0 at half time.

In the second half it was back to walls stuff for Magpies as Kirkley completley dominated the game but found the home defence of Smith, Bracey, Chong and Rawlings hard to beat, which restricted them to long shots and fortunately for Magpies they didn't get a real shot on target.

With Jarvis and Gosling working hard and both Smith and Crowe working back this stifled the midfield.

With 30 minutes to go Gosling came off and Burrell went up front with Martin. Mawford dropped into midfield and showed another side to his game by sticking in and working hard.

Burrell's first touch was to see his shot beat the keeper but drift wide of the post.

K&P threw more players up front and paid the price with five minutes to go a through ball left Martin one-on-one with the keeper and he side footed the ball into the net to secure another good win for Magpies.

Waveney Reserves 4, Norton 2

NORTON slipped to their thrid straight defeat, this time losing 4-2 at Waveney Reserves. The damage was done inside the first six minutes as Waveney raced into a 2-0 lead, which was increased further before the break.

Norton pulled a goal back through Dan Blewitt who finished a fine team move however in the second half Waveney added a fourth on the break. Blewitt reduced the deficit with a tremendous free kick but despite playing the better football in the final 20 minutes Norton failed to beat the keeper again.

The Read Bros MoM: Daniel Blewitt.

Norton Reserves 7, Beccles Caxton Reserves 3

NORTON Reserves' resurgence continues to gather pace as they defeated their Beccles Caxton counterparts 7-3. Norton stormed into a two goal lead before Caxton hit three to take an interval lead.

The second half though was all Norton as five unanswered goals were scored to take the points. Scorers Paul Martin 2, Adam Orme, Gary Crisp, Dominic Moore, Sean Higgingbotham and Mike Rushmer with his first for the club. The Haddiscoe Crown MoM: Steve Nicol.

Lowestoft Sunday League Waveney Hearts 7, Carlton Red House 0

ONLY makeshift goalkeeper Ian Carter and some wayward finishing stood between a Mark Willis-inspired Waveney Hearts and a cricket score as the rampant home side dismantled an injury ravaged Carlton Red House in a one-sided Division One encounter at blustery Dip Farm.

Predatory hat-trick hero Paul Hunter profited most from Willis' sensational Hearts debut as the new man scored the opener and claimed three assists, but the Waveney side were assisted by a sending off for Red House's Matty Reynolds and injuries to both Carter and the dangerous Chris Campbell as the visitors self destructed.

It took Hearts until the 34th minute to open the scoring after Willis poked home from close range after striking the bar and Carter with earlier opportunities, and only some last ditch goalkeeping and sterling defensive work from old stager Steve Powley kept the arrears at one going into the break.

But the Waveney side stepped on the gas just seconds into a stunning six-goal second period display when Hunter finished off a fine Joel Haverson, Michael Tacon and Willis-constructed move (46) before the red-hot striker bagged his second and Waveney's third (54) by following in a Willis drive to rifle home.

Teenage centre half Josh Armes curled home a 25 yard free kick (63) as Red House capitulated; Hunter roared onto another spilled Willis shot to tie up his hat trick (72) before Mohammed Yaqobe poked home his first Hearts goal with 15 minute remaining – and when the influential Dan Tacon crashed home a seventh (88) the rout was complete, leaving Hearts firmly in the title race and Red House reflecting on one of those days. Sunrise Inn MoM: Paul Hunter/Mark Willis.

Lady Of The Lake 1, Oulton Athletic 8

OULTON started the better and put their young opponents under pressure from the kick-off and it was they who opened scoring when James Ollington hit the post with a powerful shot and team-mate Paul Buckenham netted the resultant loose ball.

Ben Arlow scored the second with a well struck shot from distance after cutting in from the left. Athletic kept Lake on the back-foot and increased their lead when Dean Newman played through Danny Eyles to score.

Newman set up the fourth with some good work on the left which gave Buckenham his second before scoring a fine solo effort of his own. Arlow then benefited from Newman's great form and calmly netted his second after some quick footwork of his own.

The home-side to their credit didn't give up and were rewarded with a consolation goal when a good strike from distance gave the visitors' unsighted keeper no chance. Buckenham then topped off his sharp performance in front of goal by completing his hat-trick.

Newman again the provider with his pace causing all sorts of problems. With the game coming to the end Oulton scored an eighth when a powerful shot by Ollington was deflected passed Lake's wrong-footed keeper.A good team performance by the more experienced Athletic side with striker Dean Newman in particular outstanding.

Veterans League Mutford and Wrentham vets 1, Heils Bakery Crusaders vets 5

HEILS Bakery got back to winning ways with a convincing win against a sporting Wrentham team. Heils got off to flying start when Rick Goldspink put a bullet header away from a corner.

A few minutes later it was 2-0 when Tony Bergin scored from 25 yards. Heils made it 3-0 when man of the match Golspink cooly slotted the ball home after good team pressure. Wrentham kept battling hard a got a goal back just before half time. The second half was controlled by Heils with Mick Burley and Shaun Wilson leading the defensive line. Heils got their fourth when Phil Stoddart scored a curling shot from 25 yards. The game was wrapped up when Simon Landles ran through to slot the ball home.