Looking to build on their promising start Hellesdon faced Stalham Town at the Rec with Jack Guyton and Jack Hurrell returning to the squad, the latter starting on the right flank, with Guyton on the bench alongside Glen Spooner and Lewis Wardale.
On a warm afternoon the early stages were a lot less frantic than the previous week and it was 5 minutes before either side threatened with Highe for the visitors just unable to get on the end of a cross. It was a slow start for the Lions and on 8 minutes they fell behind for the first time this season when full back Duffield forced the ball past Tom Coombe after a fierce shot from Crosby had struck the base of the post.
The Lions looked to hit back with Tom Blake firing wide with a good effort and Kegan Charlesworth went close on 15 minutes.
On 20 minutes Nicholls in the visitors' goal pulled off a fine save to keep out a sweetly hit shot from Jack Love. Hellesdon were enjoying good spells of pressure and Hurrell had a shot charged down before O.Spooner tested Nicholls with a low shot from 25 yards.
Around 30 minutes Coombe went down with a head injury after competing for a high ball and after 10 minutes of on field treatment he was led off with concussion, Hurrell taking over between the posts with Guyton coming into midfield.
On the resumption after the stoppage the Lions broke quickly and Connor Charlesworth was unlucky with a shot that clipped the bar with Nicholls for once beaten. Hellesdon continued to press and the midfielder missed a great chance to level the scores, putting a shot wide from 5 yards.

Half time: Hellesdon 0 Stalham Town 1

The Lions began the second half at a high tempo and tremendous play by Blake released Guyton on the right whose low cross almost led to an own goal. C.Charlesworth hammered a low free kick past the post before Hellesdon replaced Owen Spooner with brother Glen around the hour mark.
Nicholls continued to be an obstacle in the visitors' goal and he again denied Blake with a low save but around 70 minutes Stalham increased their lead when a quick counter attack saw Cornish take the ball from near the half way line to the edge of the box before playing in Tipple who slotted past Hurrell.
Hellesdon had a lot of work to do to preserve their unbeaten start and on 80 minutes Spooner saw Nicholls tip his effort over the bar as frustration increased. Then with normal time just about up the Lions got back into the game when Nicholls was helpless to keep out a defected shot by Spooner.
With 8 minutes of added time the game was far from decided but Stalham did all they could to run down the clock and the nearest Hellesdon came to equalising was a header from Dillon Alexander which was not far off the target.
In summary it was just one of those days when little went right but Blake again stood out with his close ball control and ability to outwit defenders. He certainly deserved a goal or two but unfortunately for him and the team the visitors had a keeper in top form.

Result: Hellesdon 1 Stalham Town 2

Team: Tom Coombe, Jack Love, Cameron Beazer, Dillon Alexander, Jake Dugdale, Mac Gee (c), Owen Spooner (Glen Spooner), Connor Charlesworth, Jack Hurrell (Jack Guyton), Tom Blake, Kegan Charlesworth.