Lakeford Rangers Match Report 17/3/12

Another visit to Taverham, one of our favourite teams and one we are keen to beat again.

Lakeford game (final score 1 -1)

The league match was against Lakeford, a team we easily beat 4 - 0 last time. The pre-match warm up was based heavily on passing and the need to think about space and movement. We deployed the new piece of training kit - the tactic board, which was well received by the players and went a long way to giving them more understanding about positional play. Another new rule for the team is that the subs watch their team mates during the match to get an idea of who's playing well and what the other team are like.

HPR were straight into passing mode and soon had Lakeford on the run, although they had a couple of big players. Note to parents - more spinach for HPR members in future. Archie R made some fine runs forward with good passing between himself and Ted, but had to contend with a tall Lakeford defender so wasn't able to get a shot in. Sol in goal and Max and Felix in defence broke up any attacks. It was 0 - 0 at half time and the Jammy Dodgers were issued to the subs who were coming on.

The second half squad carried on the passing play brilliantly and were unlucky to get only one goal by Archie R despite some well timed passes from Luke into Frankie in front of goal. A bit more work on finishing required. Aidan and Evie frustrated the Lakeford forwards, but unfortunately one of their big defenders forced his way down the right wing and was lucky to squeeze a close range shot past Archie G. Final score 1 - 1.

The team decided to get as muddy and wet as possible in the break between games while we waited to play a friendly against Taverham.

Taverham friendly (final score HPR lost 3 - 0)

The first half squad started well keeping the Taverham attacks at bay - the ginger haired fella posing a big danger with some monster throw-ins (taken quickly, note HPR). Ted had a bit of work to do in goal (definitely the most acrobatic goalie in the squad) but the 0 - 0 score line at half time was promising.

By the second half, the team, the tactic board and the grown-ups were all somewhat damp. The main problem being the pen wouldn't work so we couldn't do a quick bit of tactic prep using the new board. The elements conspired against us and the good training work from earlier had seemed to have been forgotten as Taverham were able to get through and right in front of goal. Despite at least one spectacular save, they put three past Frankie from close range. So the team ended a bit dejected and very muddy but as ever seemed to take it in their stride.

Player of the match was Archie R for a fabulous strike and quick thinking passes.

The adults agreed that the gap between games in future needs to be more structured as a continuous training session as we felt is was during this time that the players focus slipped and left them unprepared for the second match.

Next games are at home on 31 March against Blofield and Old Catton Lions.

Norwich Corinthians Match Report 3/3/12

Today's two matches were always going to be tough, with the Corinthians 'hand-picked super team' and a determined Taverham side (as we beat them 3 - 0 last time). Although the final outcome could have been better, there are many teams in the league that have come off far worse. There were flashes of brilliance from all the players today and it comes when they are thinking ahead. That's the next step in training (if only to save the adults heated vocal encouragement - or shouting - from the sidelines).

No photos as I forgot to get the camera out. Any parents who fancy taking some snaps in future, please let us know.

Taverham game (HPR lost 2 - 0)

HPR soon had the Taverham side on the back foot but the play was end to end . A throw in deep into the HPR end resulted in a goal kick which was poached and soon back in the HPR net. 1 - 0 to Taverham. A painful incident for Ted and a chance for HPR from a free kick taken by Archie R was stopped by the goalie with Ted firing the rebound back going straight to the goalie hands. Evie did well to cover the goal as HPR noticeably weren't as hungry as usual. A Taverham corner produced their second goal, Frankie said it came off him as the big red haired player pushed him over - one of several physical challenges from the blues and this one resulting in a substitution as Aidan came on to cover defence.

The team were swapped around for the second half with some good coverage by Archie G in midfield, clearing a corner with a fine header. Frankie made a decent save to keep the score line the same.

Norwich Corinthians game (HPR lost 2 - 1)

A short break and a jammy dodger each and we were up against the 'wonderteam'. The HPR defence weren't having any of it from the start and we were soon putting pressure on the hand picked yellows. Max and Felix were holding the back and Ted kept his eye on the ball making some good judgements. Frankie put in some strong midfield play and quick thinking claiming the ball and getting it quickly up to Archie R, who popped one home, much to the delight of the team. The yellows pressed straight forward and forced a fine save from Ted from some tense goal mouth action. Frankie continued to make play in midfield and Archie R had two more attempts saved.

The second half played out differently, but some highlights included a mighty save from Archie G. The HPR defence needed to remain solid for this half to protect the lead, but Corinthians made the most of it and had two goals, one from a lucky (for them) goal kick. Sol felt frustrated in midfield and wasn't able to demonstrate his best skills, but his form on the pitch caused a lot of problems for the opposition. His developing speed and footwork will establish him as a midfield star. Aidan and Luke were able to make a couple of breaks forward but just couldn't out fox the opposition as they usually do. Aidan was unlucky with a fine run and shot that went just wide close to the final whistle.

Player of the match was Frankie for quick thinking and dynamic midfield play.

We had a good post match team talk where it was agreed that our team are all very good friends and we all get to play, and we all enjoy. As someone said "it's only a game". And we will deploy the 'Jammy Dodger' tactic before any future games!

Next match is against Lakeford at Taverham on 17 March (although we will probably play a friendly match or two that day against Norwich United and Taverham).

Home Match Report 18/2/12

Mulbarton game (HPR lost 1 - 0)

Mulbarton have a bit of a reputation as one of the strong teams in the league but we were hopeful that we could outsmart them on our big pitch as the game had to be rearranged at the last minute to a home game.

HPR took the game into the opponents straight away and forced a few corners but couldn't find the net. The same happened at the other end and an HPR looked like suffering an OG from Archie R but luckily it went wide. Mulbarton did manage to get through and their forward struck it with force. Frankie went down for it but the striker sent high just clipping the keepers gloves.

Despite some some good passing during the second half with a nice cross from Evie into the centre for Sol, and an unlucky miss from Felix, the score remained 1 - 0 at full time.

Hillside game (HPR won 3 - 0)

Last time HPR played this team, Hillside came back from 3 - 1 down to draw the game 3 - 3, admittedly because of a few defending blunders. This time the ball was in the Hillside half nearly all match with great passing play (the team seemed to take a match to find their feet as there was no training the night before). Aidan had little to do in goal, but made easy work of any chances that Hillside had. Archie R was prolific on the right and got the first one in with Max lining up behind just in case. Sol had a shot blocked after running with the ball and displaying some very nifty footwork. The ball was now flowing freely between the HPR players and a cross from Luke found Felix's left boot and the back of the net.

During the second half Hillside managed a nice shot on goal but Evie performed a lovely save to turn it around the post and keep the clean sheet. Towards full time Aidan sent a long cross in from the right and found Max who beat the keeper to it to settle at 3 - 0.

Player of the match was Sol for some excellent running with the ball and thoughtful defensive play.

Next up on 3 March, two difficult teams - Taverham and Norwich Corinthians.

Home Match Report 21/1/12

We are now into the second half of the league so from bow on these will all be rematches.

Another home fixture for Heigham Park Rangers with a slight advantage of being used to the over-sized pitch at St Thomas More. Hellesdon and Surlingham kicked off at the early time of 9.45am so that the Carrow Road regulars could get to the Chelsea match. This first game ended with a 2-0 win to Hellesdon who we considered the stronger of these two sides.

Surlingham game (final score HPR won 1 - 0)

The drizzle came down and our players had to keep moving to stay warm while they waited. When we kicked off the rain had stopped and we were playing 6-a-side as Surlingham weren't able to muster 7 players. HPR were soon pushing forward and Sol had a chance of an early goal but hit the bar. Surlingham were playing a bunched-up game which meant that out players were always surrounded and had difficulty spreading the play. Evie and Felix did some solid defending to keep the score at 0-0 at half time.

Early in the second half Aidan was unlucky with a shot on goal and Frankie made a brilliant save as the two big Surlingham forwards made a break. Soon after the HPR players settled into some excellent positional play keeping the opposition on their toes. A wonderful corner from Archie R found Luke in front of goal and we were 1-0 up. The Surlingham defence didn't seem that effective but we weren't able to capitalise on this apart from a shot on goal from Felix which was saved. Full time 1-0.


Hellesdon game (final score HPR won 5 - 1)

A very short rest period and we were kicking off again against Hellesdon. Heigham Park Rangers were now passing the ball like professionals. The defence were clearing any dangerous attacks - the blond haired Hellesdon danger man had a couple of chances but spooned them both over the bar. The HPR team spread out over the pitch and Luke soon had the first goal of the game from close range, soon to be followed by another from Evie who was playing in midfield and had folowed the play into the Hellesdon penalty area.

At half time the players had been reminded that last time out we had lost 4-2 after being 2-0 up at half time. Chocolate all round seemed to do the trick and Aidan had soon pirouetted through the Hellesdon defence to knock the third of the game in from an Archie R one-two. Another Archie R pass allowed Aidan to secure the fourth and Max cemented the win with a shot from range that passed two Hellesdon players and went through the goalie's legs.

Hellesdon must be commended for continuing to attack as they managed to get one back near the end.

So nearly a clean sheet for both games (much like the Canaries), but two good wins with very few tense moments.


Player of the match goes to Felix for solid defence and positional play on the left and fast left wing action up front.

Next games are on 4 February against Norwich Utd. and Firside at the Norwich Utd. ground at Blofield Heath.

Home Match Report 7/1/12

Some you win, some you lose.

Another bright start for the resumption of NYFC U8 League matches and another home fixture.

This was our first time in the league against Old Catton Lions and the second match with Blofield.

I was chatting to Tommie's dad (Norwich Corinthians) about the fact that all the teams have become stronger during the last few months and those big wins are now more difficult to come by, which was borne out by the 1 - 1 result for the Old Catton Lions and Norwich Corinthians game today.

Warming the goalie up

Blofield game (final score HPR won 2 - 1)

First up were Blofield who we beat 7 - 0 back in September. We were playing on the bigger pitch again with 7-a-side. Heigham Park soon found their shape and put together some good attacking play with Aidan rapidly pushing forward down the right wing. Archie R had soon sent a cross in from the right for Ted to knock home. Soon after Aidan had put one away from an Archie R corner and we went into half time 2 - 0 up with Frankie having had little to do in goal due to the effective defence of Evie and Max. A few changes to the line up and we were off again, this time with a hefty breeze against us. There were a few tense moments when the opponents broke through, most of these held back by the Evie/Felix back line, but unfortunately a shot went in off the post. Blofield felt they were back in the game and certainly had a lot of the play in the HPR half. There were a couple of promising runs forward by Sol but no further goals. The win was sealed by Archie G's fine save from a Blofield free kick just before full time (the ref was hot on these so HPR need to think about those fouls in the future).

Old Catton Lions game (final score HPR lost 2 - 4)

Old Catton Lions handshake

The Old Catton Lions are strong team and we were aware that this game would be tougher than the first. Aidan's role was to mark and frustrate Rafa, their big new 'signing' from Norwich Corinthians who was always going to be a threat. HPR kicked off well and had soon put a lovely sequence together to go 1 - 0 up. Frankie slid the ball through to Luke who quickly dealt with the Old Catton midfield passing to Archie R who crossed it back to Frankie again who had found space on the far side of the goal area for an easy tap-in. The ever opportunistic Archie R managed to poach the ball from an Old Catton goal kick to get another, much to the dismay of the Catton adults. The Lions fought back and chipped one over Ted's head as he had made the snap decision to come out from the goal line. Just before half time, the ball had gone out for a goal kick but the ref waved play on. A shot on target past the keeper was stopped by Archie R on the goal line - phew!

During the second half, Old Catton soon scored from a corner and were frustrating the HPR defence. They were able to capitalise on some HPR defence confusion and get two more past some of the days best goal keeping action from Aidan (who was congratulated by both the Blofield and Old Catton managers for his valiant efforts - the Corinthians manager was silent on this occasion, unusually).

Player of the match was Archie G for sealing the win during the first game.

So only the third loss of the season with some learning to be done before the next games - again at home on 21 January against Surlingham and Hellesdon,

Christmas Friendly 17/12/11

Ho-ho-ho. Definitely not the weather to enjoy an end of term match or two! Many thanks to the teams from Hellesdon and Taverham who braved the elements and the HPR parents who came along for support, the sloe gin helped to keep the hypothermia away.


As the pitch we have had marked out is the smallest dimensions, we decided to play on the larger pitch and asked the teams if they wanted play seven-a-side. We were first up against a Taverham that we found out was a mix from their A and B teams. The big pitch made difference from the start and the Taverham side passed well and soon had a goal. There were tears throughout mainly from getting a ball smacked into cold legs, but the players soldiered on through both halves stopping any further goals but unable to equalise. So a 1 - 0 loss.


The players did their best to keep warm while the other two teams played and HPR were finally up against Hellesdon. The team came alive during this game and by half time HPR had kept any Hellesdon attempts out. In the second half an excellent bit of play saw HPR pop one in to wil 1 - 0. The team really worked well and by the end had got to grips with the increased amount of space on a bigger pitch which force them to make longer passes.


Player of the match was Luke by unanimous decision for some excellent footwork out on the left and some selfless passing. The Taverham manager did ask afterwards if number 24 was for sale!

Intent on getting some action shots, by the time the matches started my fingers were fairly numb so the there's just a few pre-match shots.

The next training will be on Friday 6 January with the first league match of the year on Saturday 7 January at home at St. Thomas More.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all from James. Tom and Michael and we'll see you all soon.

Lakeford Match Report 3/12/11

Another sunny morning but the temperature's dropping. This fixture was an oddity in the calendar as there were to be four teams attending, but only one match each. Our league match was against Lakeford, a club with a long history and adult, as well as youth teams. We had agreed that we would play one, possibly two friendlies with the other teams.

HPR players listening (eventually) to team orders

Lakeford game (final score HPR won 4 - 0)

For the Lakeford game we decided to go straight in with an attacking line up that had soon produced a two goal lead from Aidan and Archie R. Archie G covered the midfield admirably with some strong defence as usual from Frankie and Evie holding the Lakeford strikers at bay. Ted produced a spectacular save tipping the ball over the bar to end the firat half 2 - 0 up.

The team changed for the second half with Luke and Ted uo front and Aidan taking over in goal. Felix and Max kept the ball away from the Heigham Park goal area and the goalie started to look a bit cold due to lack of activity. Sol is proving an efficient midfielder with a quick turn of pace and use of both feet. Aidan almost scored from a drop kick which sailed all the way up the pitch only to be fumbled by the Lakeford goalie and tapped in by Luke. Ted added another with a quick strike from his left foot - quick thinking! Final score 4 - 0 to Heigham Park Rangers.

Norwich United game (final score 1 - 1 draw)

The team were relishing a friendly against Norwich Utd. as they had caught us napping in our first meeting and we had come a cropper as the team were used to playing an attacking game and not used to winning. This time we were ready for them and by half time, with the solid Evie/Sol defence plus Max in midfield combination, the score was 0 - 0.

In the second half Norwich Utd were soon able to pop one in, although Ted nearly equalised from an Archie R free kick. The team stuck to their positions well and blocked the big Norwich Utd. strikers coming forward . Lots of good passing play saw a cross from Archie R slipped home by Aidan past the keeper. Final score 1 - 1, a good result considering these are one of the stronger teams in the league.

Taverham game (final score Taverham won 2 - 1)

We decided to play a third game with Taverham who we beat a couple of weeks ago. The players were obviously tired by now, not that they would admit to it. The game was scrappy affair with lots of physical contact resulting in an early penalty and bloody nose for Ted. The Taverham goalie dived that right way and pushed it round the post. Taverham had a coupke of very close chances and soon had one in the net. Archie R soon equalised from an lovely through pass from Aidan. The second half became a bit of a battlefield with more tears and foot to the head for Sol. Taverham slipped one past the Heigham defence right at the end to win 2 - 1.

With hindsight, two games would have been enough.

Player of the match was Sol for midfield pace and tenacious defensive play.

There's plans for a couple of friendlies on Saturday 17 December as the next league match isn't until 7 January.