League Report 23rd Jan

CUP competitions took centre stage this week as the Notley’s Lowestoft and District League campaign gathers pace after the extended festive break.

There was mixed fortunes in the Suffolk Junior Cup fourth round and the Norfolk Primary Cup fourth round, as first division Hearts of Oak bowed out losing 2-0 to Sudbury Athletic, while second division Gt Yarmouth Town Hall reached the quarter finals by beating Norwich Medics 2-1 in their Norfolk Primary Cup replay.

In the KO Cup second round Ole Frank, Hopton, Kirkley & Pakefield A, Oxford Arms, Pot Black and Barsham have all made it through to the quarter finals next month after victories at the weekend

Just two outstanding ties remain, with a place in the last eight up for grabs, as Corton A still have to play Hearts of Oak and Gt Yarmouth Town Hall face Pakefield Reunited.

Oxford Arms were the biggest winners on the day, beating Corton White Horse Seltic 7-1, while Pot Black hit Suffolk Punch for six winning 6-0 with goals from Adam Bird (two), Max Wall, Gavin Hunt, Scott Harvey and Steve Collins.

Three other winners hit four goals, as first division high fliers Barsham beat Tudor 4-1 away, and Hopton beat Lowestoft International by the same scoreline.

Kirkley & Pakefield A just held off second division Crusaders, winning 4-3, while Ole Frank progressed through the all-first division clash beating Blundeston Magpies 2-1 away.

Two games were played in division one, and second-placed Norton took advantage to move a point behind the leaders Waveney Reserves with a narrow 5-4 win over Spexhall, with two late goals securing the win. Scorers were Paul Harriman (two, one penalty), Andy Green, Rory Spinks and an own goal.

Bottom of the table Beccles Caxton Reserves picked up their first point of the season at the 12th attempt, drawing 3-3 with first from bottom Mutford & Wrentham.

In division two, leaders AFC Star are two points clear from two more games ahead of Pakefield Re-United after an 8-1 win over ninth placed Sole Bay United Reserves.

Pakefield Re-United returned to league action with a 4-2 win over eighth-placed Corton A, with goals from Tills, Hone, Attridge and Coote.

In the only other division two game played, tenth placed Bungay Town A drew 3-3 with 11th placed Norton Athletic Reserves, with a 90th minute penalty from goals from Richard Went securing the draw for the home side. Andy Shilling and Darren Bedingfield were also on the mark for Bungay with two goals from Dan Robinson and S Bensley on the mark for the visitors.

Division three leaders Waveney Gunners had a fine 5-0 win over first from bottom Factory Arms. Three teams are now tied in joint second after Waveney A drew 1-1 with fifth placed Corton White Horse Seltic Reserves (J Norman for Waveney), Earsham beat seventh-placed Norman Warrior 5-2 while K&P B – who have games in hand on the two teams above them – beat 12th placed Marquis of Lorne 2-1.

Spexhall Reserves are sixth after a 1-0 home win over Oxford Arms Reserves, Mutford & Wrentham Reserves continued their good form to move into ninth after beating eight placed Blundeston Magpies Reserves 5-1 while bottom of the table Carlton Rangers had a fine 3-0 away win at 11th placed Westhall.