Marlborough go top as Wanderers thumped

The AFC cause wasn’t helped by having two players dismissed in the first period. Marlborough made the most of that result as they won 3-1 at Doghouse to move up to top spot. Sprowston Rovers made it two wins from three games as they scored four without reply at Hellesdon, whilst there was a first victory of the season for Aylsham Sunday who won 5-2 at Fiveways. The game between The Grove and Bayer FC was unfortunately abandoned due to a bad injury.

In 1A, Norman Wanderers were 3-0 winners at Windmill Wanderers and they head the table on goal difference from Aslacton & Gt Moulton who won 4-1 at Eaton FC. Goals by Josh Halliday, Will Abbs, Daniel Green, Matty Eves, Kieran Patel and an own goal helped Sprowston Sunday move up to third with a 6-2 victory over Dussindale Rovers, whilst Castlegate scored five of the nine goals in their game with North Walsham Town. A single goal was enough for Vale Longo to gain their first win of the season at DCS Rapid and Hockering were 2-1 winners at home to Horsford Utd Sunday.

In 1B, Heartsease soared to the top of the table as they thumped previous leaders Earlham United 7-1, the goals coming from Darren Critchlow (2), Tom Whitmore, Rhys Thurtell, Jamie Daynes, Alex Ashmore and Sammy White. Acle Rangers Reserves were beaten 3-1 at Sprowston Wanderers as were PL Rangers at St Faiths, despite taking the lead from a Connor Simpson goal. Daniel Bruce scored for Moles Rest as his side went down 2-1 at home to Unicorns and Prince of Denmark got points on the board as they won 4-2 at Spixworth Sunday.

Riverside Rovers remain top of 2A after a narrow 2-1 victory at Dancing Farmers, Nick Aston scoring for the home side, whilst Norman Wanderers Reserves are second after a 3-1 win at The Cottage. Mad Moose say they left it late to claim the points in a well contested game at Stoke. James Raven and Darren Hills goals added to an earlier own goal for the visitors. Harley Durrant grabbed a hat trick in New Buckenham’s 7-3 win over The Stores, other goals came from James Beales (2), Kyle Lynn and Jason Winser and there was a good 7-4 home win for Acle Wanderers over Green Man.

2B leaders Bell Inn travelled to One Love United. The first half was a tight affair which was punctuated with petty fouls and a fair amount of dissent which wasn’t too impressive, the only highlight of the half being a superb free kick from Josh Farrow that gave the home keeper no chance. The second half, when both sides had settled down, produced a great game of football. One Love played some excellent stuff as they pressed for an equaliser, and they were duly rewarded on 70 minutes when Ronaldo Balde fired home. But Bell Inn proved what a decent side they are as they hit back to score the winner through Dale Simpson. Chris Richmond was outstanding in goal for Bell Inn and the game was well handled by stand in referee and league assistant secretary Will Jeffery, who it’s fair to say wasn’t helped by certain players.

Poringland Wanderers remain in second spot despite dropping two points after a Jonny Causton goal had given them the lead at home to DEF FC. Briston Wanderers moved up to fourth after scoring five without reply against Unicorns Reserves and it was a good day for Ribs Rovers as they won 7-3 at Sloughbottom Revolution. Salhouse Rovers came from a goal down to win 3-1 against SDC United, thanks to goals from Philip Fordham, Ben Potts and a rare Neil Woolner header.

3A morning leaders Bungay Town were held to a goalless draw by Sporting Longdale, and it was nice to receive an email from a neutral spectator who was at the Brooke v Newsman Celtic game praising the attitude of both sides and their behaviour toward stand in referee Ollie Stamp. Brooke won the game 3-2. Manor Park grabbed their first win of the season by beating Phoenix Felthorpe 4-2 and River Garden continued their decent start to the season as they won 4-0 at home to Eaton Young Boys.

Bradley Waterman helped himself to a hat trick as 3B leaders Hainford Howitzers won 5-3 at Chapelfield Rovers, Dom Miller and Shaun Sage were also on target and Schoolhouse came from 3-2 down with goals from Chris Hall, Connor Delaney, Ben Watson, Richard Brett and Elliott Lythgoe as they beat Windmill Elite. Hethersett Athletic completed a quick season double over William Wanderers, beating them 7-4, Daniel Childerhouse, Aaron Nixon, Luke Delaney and Robert Blowers scoring for Wanderers. Costessey Sports and Angel Gardens shared the points in a 3-3 draw, Jordan Rocastle scoring all three for Gardens, and Taverham United were 4-2 winners at home to Salhouse Rovers Reserves for whom Henry Lee Warder and Ryan Blyth were on target.

Costessey West End are the new leaders of 4A after a 9-1 victory at Hockering Reserves. They top the table on goal difference from Dilham Cross Keys who scored 10 (Michael Powley 5, Paul Grothier 2, Jamie Clarke 2 and Daniel Duffield) as they won at The Stores Reserves. Sporting Longdale Reserves and Horsford Youth shared the points and ten goals at Coltishall. Stewart Halton bagged himself a hat trick, Nick Clark and Chris Dennison were also on the scoresheet for Longdale and Bungay Town Reserves won by the odd goal in five at Micawbers Tavern.

In 4B, Hethersett Reserves made it a good day for the club as they beat Locksley Athletic 8-1 whilst Shipdham Rangers scored nine without reply against AFC Oak. Red Lion travelled to Bunwell and won 4-0 and there was a good win for Mettingham, 7-4, (Michael Fleckney 2, James Foyster 2, Daniel Calver, Kevin Goff and Matthew Staff ) over Spixworth Sunday Reserves.

Thanks go to the clubs that had to find referees this weekend. Hopefully both teams respected the fact that their referee was not an appointed official and acted accordingly. There was a shortage this weekend, but the situation is starting to improve.

Also a word of warning to clubs. It is becoming apparent that some players are playing for other clubs whilst being registered elsewhere. Players, and clubs playing these players WILL be charged if this is found to be the case. The transfer window opens from Monday, October 1st.