RIDGEONS LEAGUE: It may seem a long, long way from a sunny May afternoon at Wembley, but the world's greatest cup competition kicked off in earnest last week. As ever, there were some mixed results for our teams as they attempted to achieve their FA Cup dreams.

It may seem a long, long way from a sunny May afternoon at Wembley, but the world's greatest cup competition kicked off in earnest last week.

As ever, there were some mixed results for our teams as they attempted to achieve their FA Cup dreams.

For most the hope is they can maybe reach the first round proper and draw a league side.

But for some the dream is already over for another year.

Extra preliminary round casualties this season included Ridgeons League Premier Division sides Kirkley & Pakefield, Norwich United, Wivenhoe Town and Ely City.

Meanwhile, from Division One, Diss Town, Thetford Town, Gorleston and Debenham LC also departed from the competition.

But it was not all bad news.

Lowestoft Town, who reached a Wembley final in the FA Vase last season, made it through with a 2-1 win over St Ives.

Wroxham knocked out K&P thanks to a solitary Gary Gilmore goal, while Dereham won through by the same 1-0 scoreline with Simon Mowbray getting the winner.

Wisbech Town overcame Norwich United in a replay at Plantation Park, while Division One Fakenham Town had a fine 5-3 win against Gorleston, as Julian Delicata weighed in with a hat-trick.

Spare a thought for Felixstowe and Walton. Their cup dreams came to an abrupt halt with a 8-0 defeat at Mildenhall.