Football finally got underway again as the weather improved this weekend, some of the focus being on the County Cups. Marlborough reached Carrow Road for the second season running after a 4-1 (Shaun Cameron, Jason Armes, Tom Balls, and James Bulman) victory over Yarmouth side El Sol.

AFC Wanderers though were not so fortunate as they lost to a late goal at Camden after playing the second half with ten men. In the Intermediate Cup, goals by Josh Halliday (2), and Darren Maxey saw Sprowston Sunday come from behind to beat Riverside Rovers 3-2 after extra time. Schoolhouse FC reached the Junior Cup Final after travelling to King’s Lynn and beating The Fowler 4-3. Temples Property though failed to make it an all-Norwich final as two late goals saw them lose 2-1 to Lynn side Chilvers.

In League matters, The Grove failed to increase their lead at the top of the Premier as they went down 2-1 at home to Norwich Busmen. Goals by Ben Potts and Dean Adcock ensured that Busmen completed the double over the league leaders. There was a single goal victory for Hellesdon Athletic over Acle Rangers and Dog House won by the odd goal in five at bottom side Unicorns.

It’s as you were in 1A as the top three all recorded victories. Dussindale beat Aslacton 4-0; Fiveways were 6-3 winners over North Walsham whilst Jutty Womack, Steve Churchill and Rob Holl all scored for Vale Longo as they won 3-0 at Norman Wanderers. Windmill Wanderers hit ten without reply against Horsford SC and The Otter gained a good 3-1 home win over Eaton FC to lift them off the bottom of the table. Norfolk CCSC’s 4-3 (Ben Morgan 2, Ryan Stalker, Josh Bull) victory over Sprowston Wanderers lifted them up to third spot ahead of Prince of Denmark who were held to a 3-3 draw at Spixworth. St Faiths also won 4-3 at home to Earlham United. 3-0 up at half time through Ryan Oakley (2) and Dave Waters St Faiths let their lead slip before Leon Medley grabbed a late winner. Damon Brown, Billy Ashley and Marcus McInerny scored for Earlham. There was a single goal victory for Haig FC over Rose Tavern.

The top two in 2A both had 3-1 victories, leaders Hockering beating Deopham for whom David Darkens scored, and DCS Rapid defeating The Stores. Despite another goal by Justin Cameron, Stoke FC went down 3-1 at home to Green Man.

Moles Rest march on in 2B after a 6-1 win at Sporting Farmhouse and are now five points clear of PL Rangers who were involved in a cracking 1-1 draw at Heartsease FC, Jordan Rocastle grabbing the equaliser from the spot after Graham Carr had put the home side ahead. Maid Marian were disappointed to go down 2-1 at home to Ribs Rovers, whilst there was stalemate in the game between Poringland Reserves and Hethersett Athletic. Hingham Sunday did their chances of avoiding the drop a power of good by winning 4-2 at Hillside OB.

With Riverside Rovers in cup action, New Buckenham took the chance to go level on points with the leaders as they won 2-1 at The Reindeer, though Riverside have four games in hand. There was a single goal victory for Dancing Farmers in a close game at Sporting Longdale, whilst Mad Moose scored six without reply at River Garden. Constable Crusaders hit the goal trail in style as they thumped ten past Norman Wanderers A. Victory in their next game will see One Love United crowned 3B champions. Ronaldo Balde (2), Bonito Gil and Isnaba Gomes were amongst the goals as they beat DEF FC 4-1. Despite a hat trick from Neil Woolner, Salhouse went down 8-3 to Briston Wanderers who seem to have recovered well from a mid season blip and are now up to second spot. Sloughbottom Revolution’s Sam Howe scored a goal from inside his own half, but it wasn’t enough as his side went down 3-2 at home to Aylsham Reserves and Unicorns were 3-2 winners over The Gordon. There was good news for bottom side AFC Oak as they recorded their first victory in a while beating Taverham United 4-1.

Bungay Town continue to lead the way in 4A after a 5-2 win at home to Temple Bar. Brooke are ten points behind thanks to a single goal (Lewis Clarry) win at Eaton Young Boys, whilst there was a good 3-1 win for Earlham Colney at Hockering Reserves. The William Rovers recent revival hit the buffers after a 2-1 home defeat to Manor Park, Josh Allen scoring for the home side. With Schoolhouse involved in cup action, William Wanderers moved three points clear at the top of 4B as they won 8-3 at Chapelfield Rovers. Schoolhouse though have two games in hand. Third placed Drayton Sunday suffered a 2-1 (Steve Tubb) defeat at the hands of Spixworth Reserves, whilst Hethersett Reserves and Windmill Elite took a point each in a 2-2 draw. It was a bad day at the office for bottom side Wendene Wanderers as they were thumped 9-0 at home by Costessey Sports Reserves.

• The draw for the quarter-finals of the League Cup has taken place and is as follows:

Acle Rangers v Marlborough

The Grove v Hellesdon Athletic

Aylsham Sunday v Norwich Busmen

Fiveways v Dog House

The games will be played on Sunday March 4th