THE future of Saturday football in Hethersett is looking bright as the newly- formed Hethersett Athletic side pick up more plaudits and victories in the Crown Fire South and Central Norfolk League.

THE future of Saturday football in Hethersett is looking bright as the newly- formed Hethersett Athletic side pick up more plaudits and victories in the Crown Fire South and Central Norfolk League.

The team is seven points clear at the top of Division Four and have been named team of the month for August/September - their first month in the league.

They will receive a new match ball at a presentation in the future for going the entire month unbeaten in both the league and cup.

So far every month has been successful for the new side which is sponsored by local funeral directors Ivan Fisher.

The team ended the year on a high with two wins over the Christmas period.

They comfortably beat Castle Acre Swifts 5-0 at home thanks to goals from five different players - Jay Back, Gary Davies, Danny Gray, Matt Steward and Nick Shorten and then scrambled

a 4-2 home win against Methwold Rovers with once again four different players scoring - Steward, Gray, James Rice and Matt Molloy.

The victory against Methwold was made difficult by the number of easy chances missed by Hethersett and they almost paid the price despite racing into a 2-0 first-half lead.

Methwold pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time and then equalised 10 minutes from the end. Hethersett at last woke up and James Rice gave them the lead before Matt Molloy made sure of the points with virtually the last kick of the game.

Hethersett are now seven points clear at the top of the division with a 100 per cent record after 11 games. As they enter the second half of the season their aim is to finish the programme unbeaten. Striker Danny Gray has already scored 31 goals.

This week they resume league action with a home game against Shropham Reserves and the following week are home again to second-placed Hindolveston.

Hethersett Athletic Ladies' have pushed themselves back into contention for the Eastern Region Premier Division title after a comfortable 7-0 win over Stevenage.

Emily Coates hit five and other goals came from Jemma Thirtle and Tammy Graves. Hethersett have pushed themselves up into third place but cannot afford any slip-ups if they are to seriously threaten for the title.

This week their new-found confidence will be put to the test when they travel to league leaders Dagenham and Redbridge in a must-win match.

Hethersett U16 Girls Hearts are top of their league following a fine 6-1 win over Freethorpe to take their tally for the season to 15 points from a possible 18. Hannah Waters scored four and Lauren Matthews two.

Hethersett Athletic Sunday have made an important signing in their fight against relegation from the Premier Division of the Norwich Sunday League.

The team, which a couple of seasons ago was within three points of taking the title, has been going through a period of restructuring with a number of youth team players being promoted. Now they have signed Danny Gray from AFC Wanderers.

Gray already plays for the club's Saturday team where he has scored 31 goals in the Crown Fire South and Central Norfolk League.

Hethersett have two vital games coming up in their fight against relegation. This Sunday they visit Salhouse and on January 11, are home to AFC Wanderers.