RIDGEONS LEAGUE: Wroxham's good form under new manager Andy Baker continued at the weekend when they hammered Norwich United 5-1 to continue their climb up the Ridgeons League Premier Division table.

Wroxham's good form under new manager Andy Baker continued at the weekend when they hammered Norwich United 5-1 to continue their climb up the Ridgeons League Premier Division table.

The Yachtsmen made it a miserable start for new United boss Paul Chick as they scored five times before the break to quickly end the match as a contest, Andy Key leading the way with a hat-trick.

Paul Cook weighed in with a brace, while a Francis Kumber goal provided scant consolation for the shell-shocked visitors.

With Key and Cook both now boasting 14 goals this season, things are certainly looking up for Wroxham, who remain unbeaten since Baker took over the managerial reigns from Damian Hilton. The win took them up to sixth position, with 36 points from 20 games, and if they can maintain their current progress a top three finish should be well within their capabilities.

The defeat left the Planters languishing in 21st position, with just basement club Haverhill, who lost 5-4 at home to CRC in a remarkable game, below them. Wisbech Town are just one point better off after losing 2-0 at home to Histon Reserves.

Second-placed Dereham lost further ground on leaders Lowestoft when they suffered a painful 2-1 home defeat at the hands of King's Lynn Reserves.

With manager Keith Webb looking on, the Linnets grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck just before the break with two goals in the space of seven minutes from Dominic Dwyer.

Dereham pulled one back three minutes after the restart through Danny Beaumont but, try as they might, the Magpies were unable to find what would have been a deserved equaliser.

It summed up their frustrating afternoon when loud appeals for a penalty were turned down near the end when Sam Willis appeared to be fouled in the area. Dwyer had two good chances late on to add to his tally but on each occasion ex-Linnet John Higgs was on hand to deny him.

In Division One, Diss ended the year on a high note when they beat Thetford Town 3-1 to make it three home wins in a row.

The Tangerines have now collected 13 points from their last five games while Town have lost six out of seven.

Adie Hayes scored two first half penalties - both for fouls on Danny Partridge. Ross Bilham gave away the first in the 28th minute, with a Lee Brewer trip six minutes later allowing Hayes to make it 2-0.

Kwame Jones, one of six ex-Tangerines in the Thetford starting line-up, scored from close range after Matty Hill pushed away a Sam Bryant shot 10 seconds into the second half. Partridge made it 3-1 when he moved on to a Ben Soanes' pass and shot home in the 81st minute.

The Tangerines are in sixth position, eight points behind joint leaders Hadleigh and Newmarket and two adrift of Great Yarmouth, who beat neighbours Gorleston 5-2 on Boxing Day.

Elsewhere in Division One, lowly Downham picked up a timely victory as they beat March 4-2, while in the basement battle Swaffham came away from Fakenham with a 2-0 success.

A match that showed why these teams are bottom of the table turned on two penalties.

There was no argument when Matthew Hooks fouled his man to give the Peddlers a 14th minute penalty, converted by Andrew Chatters after a yellow card for Hooks.

On half-time Sam Darlon used his arm to keep out a Fakenham shot which some thought had crossed the line. The Swaffham man was sent off but Karl Pask's penalty was saved by Lee Brookes.

On the hour Matthew Kenny added to Swaffham's tally with an untidy sliced shot at the far post.