Cup triumph for 'Sett Ladies

HETHERSETT Athletic Ladies won the Eastern Region League Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Barking in a match that went very much to the formbook.

Afterwards Hethersett coach Tom Parke admitted he was still in a daze at the achievement.

“It will take some time to sink in and realise just what we have achieved this season,” he said.

Hethersett never looked in trouble against a game Barking side and added this major trophy to the Eastern Region Division One Championship won last season.

Three first-half goals ensured the trophy returned to Norfolk for the first time in its history.

Hethersett had the luxury of being able to coast to victory in the second half and comfortably snuffed out any chance of a Barking revival.

It took Hethersett just three minutes to open the scoring as Nikki Wigg turned home a corner.

Hethersett doubled their advantage 10 minutes later when a long ball from Nicola Stolworthy saw Nicola Bray and the Barking keeper in a battle for the ball which broke loose for Emily Coates to side-foot home, despite the desperate efforts of a Barking defender to clear off the line.

The game was sewn up on 34 minutes when Jodie Allard weaved her way into the penalty area only to be brought down and Coates coolly slotted home the penalty kick for her second goal of the game.

Hethersett had just one shaky moment in the first half when a stray back-pass let in a Barking forward but an alert Logan Shepherd was able to get back to concede a corner with a fine interception.

The second half was always going to be an anti-climax with Hethersett dropping deeper to protect their lead and never looking in trouble.

Hethersett have a week's break before continuing their quest for a league and cup double.

On May 11 they visit Cambridge United and then round their season off with a visit to Royston on May 18.

They must win both those games and hope that rivals for the Premier Division title, Norwich City, drop points in their last four games.