Magpies on song again

Ridgeons League

Dereham's Magpies found their voice with a fine 4-0 home win over a Felixstowe outfit which was in the Premier Division top six when it arrived at Aldiss Park with Dereham seven from bottom.

Dereham took a 21st minute lead when Joel Brien released Danny Beaumont who unselfishly set up Adam Smith to rifle home from 14 yards.

Beaumont kept his personal scoring run going six minutes later, brushing aside a high challenge.

Beaumont netted a free-kick from the edge of the area on 67 minutes and Nicky Howell completed the victory in the 83rd minute with a close-range header from Smith's cross. Dereham are now 12th in the 22-strong division.

Norwich United went down 4-2 at Ely. The Planters saw their half-time lead slip as their inability to defend set pieces cost them dear.

The Planters soon trailed when, following a corner, Richard Chadwick fired through a crowded box in the seventh minute.

United were level three minutes before the break, Furlong threading a lovely ball from deep on the left into the area where Robinson tucked home past Pacey. The Planters took the lead in the third minute of first-half time added on. From an indirect free-kick Atkins blasted a shot into the wall. Hunter was first to react and crossed for Darren Coe to head home from close range.

The Robins were level in the 56th minute when they were awarded a penalty, Grant Robins converting.

In the 76th minute Ely took the lead. A long throw on the left was flicked on at the near post and Robins was unmarked and netted from close range.

Three minutes from time, from a corner, Ben Lawrence had an easy task to head home.

This leaves United eighth from bottom but well clear of any relegation worries and able to concentrate on climbing the table.

Wisbech, now eighth from top, won 6-1 at Harwich, Harper completing his hat-trick, backed by Cobb, Cubberly and Yong.

Kirkley & Pakefield, the area's highest-placed team, suffered a 2-1 reverse at Stanway and are now fifth with 32 points from 16 matches but with several games in hand over the runaway leaders of the section.

Wroxham, badly needing a win to kick-start their season, went down 3-2 at home to Newmarket.

The Yachtsmen had six first team players unavailable.

In the 15th minute the Jockeys took the lead but in the 40th minute Owen Paynter picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and let fly into the top corner to equalise.

Newmarket went ahead with a 60th minute penalty and in the 70th minute they extended their lead.

Wroxham tried hard to come back and in the 85th minute Martin McNeil scored from a corner. But by then some of the disappointing attendance of 71 were heading home.

Mid-table Mildenhall had a 3-1 win at Hadleigh.

Leading the race for the championship are CRC who won 5-1 at bottom club Wivenhoe to take their tally to 50 points from 20 games.

Leiston, now second with 49 points from 21 games, lost 3-2 at home to Histon Reserves.

Third-placed Needham Market (49 from 21) won 3-1 at home to Walsham-le-Willows.

In the First Division, Gorleston went fifth and closed the gap to just three points on visitors fourth-placed Diss, with five games in hand. The Greens' 1-0 win at Emerald Park owed much to former Tangerines' goalkeeper Elliott Pride.

Both sides played a fine passing game in an open first half. George Watts-Sturrock clipped the top of the home bar. In the 25th minute Pride made a great save high to his right to push away a shot from just outside the penalty area from Jason Hunt.

The only goal came in the 38th minute when a long ball looked set to be cut out by Mark Shadrack. However, he slipped and John Bell moved in on goal. He was held up by goalkeeper Webster before crossing low to the far post for Mitch Forbes to shoot in from close range.

Webster made a great diving save to hold a 25-yard shot from Bell in the 54th minute. Pride made another fine save to turn away an 18-yard shot from Garner in the 73rd minute. Michael Tacon had a great chance to seal the win but shot wide of an open goal in the 79th minute.

Great Yarmouth stay top by one point over FC Clacton. The Bloaters' game at Saffron Walden was postponed after a gas leak was discovered at the ground.

The Bloaters are holding an extraordinary general meeting in the Legends Bar at Wellesley Recreation Ground on December 14.to agree to the requirements of FA Charter Standard status for which the club will be applying. All current paid-up members are invited.

Despite their 12th successive defeat, bottom team Fakenham emerged with credit from their 4-0 home defeat by promotion chasing FC Clacton, especially stand-in keeper Nick Haynes.

After an ankle injury ruled out Sean Cooper, outfielder Haynes went between the posts and, after having three put past him inside the first 21 minutes, played a blinder, making a series of good, and often brave, saves. The Ghosts, beaten 8-0 at Clacton, rallied and played some enterprising football, failing to get the goal they deserved. Karl Andrade, Kevin Coyle and Mark White fired Clacton ahead with James Dunkeley claiming the fourth two minutes from time.

Thetford had a 3-1 win at Downham while Swaffham won by the same score at home to Cornard.

Impressive early defending by Ben Russell, Gary Haime and keeper Lee Brooks kept the Pedlars in contention. Keith Polski picked up a poor goal kick from Cornard and drew two defenders before sliding the ball through for Paul Shafer to score.

Second half Polski hit the bar from distance before Shafer bagged his second following great work by Plumb. Cornard pulled one back in the 85th minute on the break but Swaffham finished with a similar goal, Shafer supplying Plumb to drill the ball home.

The Pedlars completed the league double.