RIDGEONS PREMIER: Dereham Town went clear at the top of the Ridgeons Premier with a 5-0 win over Histon Reserves.

Dereham increased the lead when another cross from the right by Beaumont was not cleared and, after Adam Smith’s shot was charged down, the ball fell to Roberts who drilled home a low drive.

Dereham netted their third when Ollie Willis played a neat one-two with Ryan Foster before delivering a low cross from the right byline that Kyle Downes guided home from the six-yard line.

Substitute Steve Harley side footed home Willis’ pin-point cross from the right to make it four and skipper Willis registered his side’s nap hand when he skilfully chipped home keeper Crook from 20 yards after receiving Foster’s flick.

Meanwhile, Kirkley & Pakefield played at Ely City, where both teams were forced to settle for a point from a goalless draw.

In a game of very few clear goal-scoring opportunities, a draw was a fair result as the away side – having lost at home to Wroxham in midweek – were unable to stop Dereham opening a two-point gap at the top of the table.

Ely started the game well as Dave Smith and Adam Murray both had headers that narrowly flew wide of the goal.

As the home side gained momentum, a Robbie Mason strike from the edge of the area cannoned back off Attridge’s post as many of the attacks stemmed from the precise kicking of keeper Lee Pacey.

The KP Royals did grow into the game as Ryan Crisp looked particularly dangerous, yet the final ball lacked quality on many occasions.

In the second half chances were few and far between yet Kirkley looked the most likely to break the deadlock as they applied pressure on the goal. Substitute Scott Martin tested Pacey with a long drive and Ian Dawson’s free-kick was tipped over the bar. As the game drew to a close both sides had half-chances through Mason and McKenna, yet there were too many long balls played throughout the game, with no side having the real cutting edge in front of goal.

Even late Kirkley substitute Russell Stock couldn’t get on the scoresheet as the points were shared.

Other Premier Division results were Mildenhall beating hosts Wivenhoe 1-0 while Brantham and Debenham LC shared the spoils 2-2.