Hearts too hot to handle

After last weeks disrupted programme the Notley’s league resumed normal service with every scheduled match taking place. In the KO Cup Waveney Gunners booked their quarter final place with a narrow 2-1 victory over Norton Res. and will now take on first division CDS Waveney on February 23rd.

Onto league action and the game of the day was at Normanston park as leaders Hearts of Oak took on 3rd place Kirkley & Pakefield A. Hearts gained revenge for an earlier defeat by running out comfortable 4-0 winners including a brace for top marksman Johnny Williams who has now struck 20 for the season. The defeat leaves Kirkley 10 points adrift and seemingly out of the title race which now appears to be between Hearts and Norton Athletic who played their first game for a month but had no trouble in seeing off bottom placed Corton Res. as Norton rammed home 13 goals. There now looks to be a real battle on for 3rd place and Spexhall put themselves in contention after beating Wrentham 3-2. There was a thrilling match at Dip Farm between Oxford Arms and CDS Waveney with CDS collecting the points by virtue of a 6-5 win and finally Carlton Rangers did their survival hopes the power of good as they recorded a fine 3-0 win at Sole Bay United Res.

The second division sees Hearts of Oak Reserves strengthen their position at the top of the table as their 11-0 mauling over bottom side Suffolk Punch meant they opened up a 4 point gap as second placed Barsham went down to third place White Horse Seltic 3-1. The battle for promotion looks a hot prospect as Blundeston Magpies stayed in touch following their 4-1 win over Lacon Arms. You can’t rule out Caxton Res. who are 6 points off second after their 2-0 success at Royal Standard or Waveney Gunners who are 8 points off the pace with a game in hand. At the other end of the table Oulton Broad & Notley’s Reserves picked up another 3 points after beating Crusaders 4-1 whilst in midtable Ellingham warmed up for their Primary Cup semi final with a good 6-3 win at Pakefield Re-United.

In the third division Ole Frank continue to surge towards the title as they defeated Spexhall Res. 5-3. Blundeston Plough dropped to second after their shock defeat to CDS Waveney Res. Hopton White Hart who are having a fine season move into second as they beat LIFC 2-1. Draw specialists Marquis of Lorne were at it again as they played out a goalless encounter with Oxford Arms Res. Earsham and Factory Arms also shared the points in a 1-1 draw as did Westhall 2007 and Blundeston Magpies Res. where the score was 3-3.

Scott Yarham

Results 09th February 2008

KO Cup 2nd Round:

Waveney Gunners 2 v 1 Norton Athletic Res.

Division One:

Hearts of Oak 4 v 0 Kirkley & Pakefield A
Norton Athletic 13 v 0 Corton Res.
Oxford Arms 5 v 6 CDS Waveney
Sole Bay United Res. 0 v 3 Carlton Rangers
Spexhall 3 v 2 Wrentham

Division Two:

Barsham 1 v 3 Corton White Horse Seltic
Blundeston Magpies 4 v 1 Lacon Arms
Oulton Broad & Notley’s Res. 4 v 1 Crusaders
Pakefield Re-United 3 v 6 Ellingham
Royal Standard 0 v 2 Beccles Caxton Res.
Suffolk Punch 0 v 11 Hearts of Oak Res.

Division Three:

Blundeston Plough 1 v 3 CDS Waveney Res.
Earsham 1 v 1 Factory Arms
LIFC 1 v 2 Hopton White Hart
Marquis of Lorne 0 v 0 Oxford Arms Res.
Ole Frank 5 v 3 Spexhall Res.
Westhall 2007 3 v 3 Blundeston Magpies Res.