A pleasant sunny morning saw the last games of 2015 take place at the weekend.

Schoolhouse go into 2016 as the Norwich Premier Division leaders after a 3-0 win at Poringland Wanderers. The visitors took a first-half lead after Rhys Logan fired into the roof of the net. Both sides had chances before two stunning second-half strikes from Luke Winter sealed the points. This was a very good game to watch, the only real difference between the two sides being the quality of the finishing.

Acle Rangers, third, suffered a 2-0 home defeat to rapidly improving The PoW, whose goals from Danny O’Carroll and Connor Howett saw them continue their rapid rise up the table. Dussindale Rovers came back from Bell Inn with all three points as Tom Cullumbine (2), Steve Watmore (2) and Ollie Southgate all scored in a 5-2 victory.

In 1A, Vale Longo gained their first point in seven games with a credible 2-2 (Jatinder Dhaliwal and Tom Bulley) draw at leaders Horsford United. Dilham Cross Keys moved up to second as goals by Lee Houghton, Jordan Tipple and Dan Tindall helped them to a 3-0 win at William Wanderers. New Buckenham are still looking for their first home win of the season as visitors Sporting Longdale moved off the bottom with a 2-1 victory.

Two games took place in 1B and both ended up with away victories. William Wanderers moved up to second after winning 4-0 (Daniel Childerhouse 2, James Denmark and Craig Glen) at Edith Cavell whilst goals from Chris Hume and Jordan Crane saw Lakewood United collect the points at Sprowston Wanderers.

Mad Moose go into the new year as 2A leaders after a 6-1 win at Dynamo saw them take over from an inactive Mischief at the top. Constable Crusaders are third following a 2-0 win at Newsman Celtic and Mettingham scored nine without reply in their game at Brooke Reserves.

In 2B, the morning’s top two faced each other and a single Jamie Smith goal was enough for Phoenix to beat Trimingham Pilgrims. Silver Fox though are still level on points with Phoenix after running out 3-1 (Aaron Tunnaley, Jason Lambert and Luke Gould) winners at Hethersett Athletic.

Winfarthing are the new leaders of 3A after scoring eight of the 12 goals in their game at Freethorpe, whilst Hewett Old Boys are third after two Olly Dodds goals and a Dom Dodds strike gave them a 3-0 home win over GaGa. An amazing performance from Barry Payne saw him score six of Reedham’s seven goals at home to Sporting Longdale Reserves. Mark Smith was the other scorer.

Lewy Allen (2), Paul Hudson, Aaron Smith and Lewis McKerell all scored for 3B leaders Norwich Ceyms as they won 5-3 at North Elmham whilst there was a hat-trick for Dan Stammers and goals for Harvey Harwood (2), Will Thurston and Connor Lee as Blofield United ran out 7-1 winners at Harleston Town Under-21s.

Josh O’Donoughoe scored six and there were hat-tricks for Liam Robinson, Cameron Beazer, Connor Charlesworth and Ben Fulcher as prolific Hellesdon put 18 past Gressenhall. Justin Bradfield (2) and Ben Wright netted as Hethersett Athletic Reserves took a point at Sprowston Athletic for whom Kyle Appleton (2) and Tyler Curran scored, whilst Danny Shafiyan and Lee Coby found the net in Sporting Iceni’s 2-1 win at Bunwell AFC.

There were double celebrations for East Tuddenham. They won 3-1 at Barracks and are the winners of the league’s Macron Sports Sporting Award for October/November.

Leaders enter festive break still unbeaten

In Norwich’s Under-19s Development League set up, Attleborough are now five points clear at the top of Division A.

As they were beating Bulldogs 5-0 at home, second-placed Norwich United slipped to a single-goal defeat at Scole United, for whom Jack Payne was on target.

Attleborough enter the Christmas break having not been beaten in the league so far this season. They have won seven of their nine matches, scoring a huge 42 goals and conceding only eight.

The South Norfolk derby between hosts Long Stratton and Newton Flotman saw a single Kieran Smith goal earn the points for the home side.

In the B Division, Norman Wanderers moved level on points with leaders Marlborough after scoring five (Goals Matt Needham 2, Isaac Mace 2 and Max Alden) without reply in a thumping victory at Hellesdon.

St Andrews won by the odd goal in seven at Norwich United B with Matt Scoular, Jack Bucklee and Sam Forder scoring for United.

Old Catton rounded off 2015 with a 2-1 win at Blofield United.

In Division C, Drayton and Sprowston Athletic drew 1-1, a result that sees Drayton stay six points clear of their opponents and seven clear of third-placed North Walsham who were inactive.

Importantly though, North Walsham have three games in hand on the leaders.

The Swanton Morley manager was very happy with his side’s performance as they won 3-0 at Litcham. Alec Coles, Billy Nhiwatiwa and Jack Livock were the men on target.

The one remaining first round League Cup tie to be played was completed. It saw Bungay Town progress to the next round courtesy of a 5-1 victory over Brooke.

On behalf of the league, all players, officials and supporters of grassroots football are wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

* Video shot and edited by Simon Finlay