NCBC top of Norfolk Christian league for third year running 

NCBC secured the Norfolk Christian League title with two games to spare on Saturday morning, recovering from going a goal behind to seal a 3-1 victory against Kings Athletic.

Match report by Adam Hubbard

Norwich Central Baptist Church (NCBC) are top of the league in the mens division of the Norfolk Christian Football League after a 3:1 win against Kings Athletic, home ot Kings on February 17.

All of the goals came in a competitive first half, and it was the hosts who took the lead on 21 minutes, finding the net from close range after an initial effort had struck the post. NCBC responded in the best way possible though and equalised almost immediately. Leading scorer Ben Jervis saw his attempt blocked by the Kings keeper, but the clearance only went as far as Chris Morgan who drove the ball back towards goal and into the far left corner to take his tally to five for the season.

NCBC felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty for handball shortly after, but as the half-time whistle approached the visitors scored a quickfire double to take full control of proceedings. First, good work from Luke Richards and Adam Jervis resulted in Ben Jervis seeing his shot well saved from close range, but the ball cannoned back off the goalkeeper into a Kings defender and flew into the net for an own goal. No sooner had the game restarted NCBC were on the attack again, and Ben Jervis finally got his goal, Nat Bash hanging up a cross from the right for Jervis to get his head onto and guide beyond the goalkeeper for his 13th goal of the season.

After a fairly even opening to the second half, both sides had attempts to add to the scoring, but wayward finishing and some good saves prevented the scoreline from changing. Chris Morgan almost added to his earlier strike with 10 minutes left on the clock but saw his sweetly struck half-volley crash against the bar and bounce over, and substitute Daniel Jervis saw a late goal ruled out after he was adjudged to have strayed offside.

Having sealed the league title, NCBC return to City Academy next weekend to face King's Athletic again, this time in the Quarter Finals of the Bishop's Cup, for what is sure to be another battle for both teams.