Norfolk Christian football opening tournament held

The first footballs of the new Norfolk Christian Football League season were kicked at a pre-season tournament held at Sloughbottom Park in Norwich on Saturday September 9.

The tournament opened with a welcome and opening prayer from Paul Nice, the league secretary, before all four participating teams, City Gates Athletic, Eaton Eagles, Gateway Vineyard and Heigham Park Rangers, played each other in a round robin format in very hot and sunny conditions. 
 
Paul said: “The atmosphere of the day was one of friendship and fellowship between teams based around the football matches.  All teams played with spirit and commitment scoring some good goals and gaining at least one draw.  Heigham Park Rangers (HPR) ran out winners despite being pushed hard by all three other teams. 
HPR won all three, scoring eight goals, Gateway Vineyard came second with two wins, City Gates and Easton Eagles each lost two with one draw
 
New league chairman Tom Horsfall said: “We were very pleased with teams that have turned out and how well they get on both on and off the pitch as a community, catching up. The quality of football in the league has increased season on season.
“Today there were some very close games between all the teams, a sense of community was there and it was a fun morning of football and a great way to start the season which we are excited to start.”
 
Pictured are the teams before the NCFL curtain-raiser tournament in Norwich on September 9.