On a bright crisp January morning, it was good to see the majority of this week’s fixtures going ahead despite the overnight frost.

Some clubs and referee’ deserve full praise after delaying the kick-off time, although some officials seem to have been a touch hasty.

The Grove are the new leaders of the Premier Division as with previous leaders Wymondham inactive they beat Quebec 6-3 thanks to goals by Farin Deeba, Sam Mallet, Danny Pennall 2, Craig Clarke and Sean Brown. Acle Rangers got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win at home to Norwich Busmen whilst Norman Wanderers’ difficult season continued against Silver Fox where after going three down they pulled two back.

Division 1A leaders Reepham won 3-1 at Eaton, and are seven points ahead of Hellesdon who beat third-placed Hainford YCOB 4-0. Vale Longo produced a fine performance to beat Aslacton 4-2, Paul Harvey, Kevin Brown, Mark Woods and Pete Crowley all scoring whilst Thrish Docherty and Kevin Oakley replied for the visitors. 1B leaders Sprowston Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw by Haig, for whom Mick Reynolds scored, and are now joined at the top by Aylsham Sunday who beat Earlham Utd 3-2 at home, Liam Brown and Damon Brown scoring for the visitors. Catton beat Unicorns by the odd goal in seven, Ben Welham, Ben Potter, Damon Kennedy and an OG, the scorers, and Prince of Denmark beat Norfolk CCSC 5-3.

Division 2A leaders The Castlegate had a 3-1 home win over DCS Rapid, who took the lead through Daniel Rabouine, and stay top on goal difference from Deopham who beat The Griffin 5-3 (Lewis Caddy 2, David Darkins 2, Jason Cole). Third-placed Dussingdale Rovers slumped to a 3-1 home defeat against Upton, whilst Stoke FC won 3-1 (Lewis Clarry, Bobby Cott, Anthony Dooley) at River Garden. Acle Wanderers beat Norman Wanderers A 5-4. Ryan Flint 2, Dan Blewitt, Adam Catchpole and Rick Medlar scored for Acle. Division 2B leaders Rose Tavern suffered a 3-2 defeat (Oliver Bennison, Peter Wright), at the hands of Hethersett Ath. PL Rangers are second after a great team performance beat Sporting Farmhouse 4-2, Danny Ashford and Matt Plumstead scoring for Farmhouse. Ribs Rovers beat The Gordon 3-0, whilst Jonny Aldis scored for Poringland Res in a draw at Spixworth.

The big game in 3A saw Sprowston Royal Oak run out 4-2 (Darren Maxey 2, James Lawrence 2) winners at home to leaders Wellington Pink Uns. A goal from Ian Grange gave second-placed Sporting Longdale a 1-0 win at Newsman Celtic and Hellesdon Res took a point in a 2-2 draw at Mad Moose. Caseys Cosmos thumped Temple Bar 5-1 and Dancing Farmers can’t believe they lost… but they did, 3-2 at home to The Reindeer. In 3B Freethorpe beat Aylsham Res 5-1 and Maid Marian had a 3-1 (John Olds 2, Danny Walker) over Unicorns Res.

New Buckenham increased their lead at the top of 4A with a 7-2 win against Silver Fox Res. Hockering Res won 5-1 at Earlham Colney and DEF FC gained revenge for a cup defeat by Eaton Young Boys, beating them 3-1 (Ben Lemmon, Richard Brandon, Tom Brandon-Street). Sporting Longdale lost 2-0 at home to Constable Crusaders. Well done to Wendene Wanderers, who moved off the bottom of 4B thanks to a 4-2 victory at Windmill Elite. Briston are the new leaders of the division after winning 4-0 at Dereham Utd and Eaton Beehive beat Chapelfield Rovers 2-1.

In the League Cup Preliminary round, Green Man, after six weeks without a game, won 4-1 at Hillside OB thanks to goals by Andrew Jenkins, Tom Jenkins, Steven Crowe and Seb Sandell.