Hellesdon went into this game with a bit of confidence after a nightmare start to their campaign. In the lead up to the tie, Hellesdon had 0 points on the board from their first five league games however they won their most recent game in the cup against Aylsham 3-0, a comfortable and much
needed win.
The game started at a fast pace with the home side looking the more comfortable in possession as they seemed to continue their form from the previous weeks game. The first goal came on the 10 minute mark from winger Jack Hurrell in a good move; the ball started with Pickersgill playing at LB, Welham dropped in from CF to the left hand side of the centre circle on the halfway line to collect
the ball, played back to Alexander. Hurrell started his run from the left wing position and Alexander played an inch perfect ball over the visitors defence, into Hurrells stride, who took a couple of touches and bent the ball round to the keepers left, into the back of the net from a relatively acute angle. Hurrell, who was sent off in the last league game against Wroxham Res started the game brightly, it was almost as if he had something to prove and that wouldn’t be the last time he had an
impact on the game for the Dons.

1-0 Hellesdon.

Hellesdon then stopped doing the basics, which had cost them in previous league games and were punished. The visitors started controlling the game in the middle of the park and chances started to fall. It was around the 20 th minute mark when Sheringham midfielder Tim Cary found himself in a little bit of space 25 yards out and let rip with a good strike, 1-1. This still didn’t seem to wake the home side up and soon after the first Sheringham goal, came another. The ball came down right hand side, put across the box and into the back of the net from 3-4 yards out, 2 for Sheringham and a brace for Cary. The rest of the half continued with Sheringham possession and penetration as they
continued to create chances but couldn’t convert due to a couple of fine saves from Bond and the score remained the same as they went into the break.
HT: Hellesdon 1 – 2 Sheringham
Hellesdon found themselves in a similar position coming out for the second half as they did in previous games; a lot more consistency needed in the basics and stronger all round application to get anything out of the game. The second half started a lot more brightly in the with Morley, Charlesworth & Mann stringing passes together in the middle of park and were patient in attack to create chances. The Sheringham side looked strong at the back and chances weren’t falling to the Hellesdon frontline. As the game started to become stretched, Beech and co put on Simpson for Smith. Simpson was building up his fitness levels from a pre-season set back and looked sharp; direct with the full backs and added plenty of pace down the left flank. As chances came and went for
Sheringham so did the second half minutes and the game looked as if it was passing Hellesdon by, they looked stronger than the first half but couldn’t create any clear cut chances. With 20 to go, Mann came off for Wardale and Charlesworth went in the 10 role, Wardale into CM – both familiar positions for them. Wardale added needed energy into the midfield, whilst Charlesworth was resilient in trying to create something for the front 3.

Corners started to come for Hellesdon and with 10 to go, Simpson whipped a ball into the near post where Alexander was attacking. Alexander swung his trusty left peg but it missed, hit his standing leg and the ball went into the back of the net. 2-2, Hellesdon were back in it. The goal boosted Hellesdon and they began to penetrate the Sheringham back line. With 88’ on the clock and thegame in the balance, Alexander carried the ball out of defence and linked up with Hurrell again through a ball over the top but this time onto his chest. Hurrell elegantly pushed the ball into his
stride and away from the defence bearing down on the GK, he got the ball just inside the
18 yard area and calmly stroked the ball in the bottom left, GK no chance and the Hellesdon management, bench, players and fans erupted. 3-2 Hellesdon, 6 including injury time to go. Sheringham pushed
and pushed for the last few minutes, hitting the bar and having a series of corners but the home side hung on and the game finished 3-2 in a manic last 10.
At 1-2 and 10 minutes to go, Hellesdon didn’t look strong but were always in with a shout of getting something and the Don’s lads showed grit, determination and patience to claw 2 back and notch their first win in the league.

FT: Hellesdon 3 – 2 Sheringham

Hellesdon’s next fixture is on 29/09 against top of the division 1 table, Mundford in the cup as they’ll look to continue this run.
MOTM – Jack Hurrell
Hellesdon: Bond, Pickersgill, Hughes, Alexander, Jones, Charlesworth, Morley, Mann, Hurrell, Smith,
Welham. Subs – Wardale, Simpson, Beard