Norton emphatic in closing the gap.

This week’s league programme was decimated with postponements as Normanston Park and Dip Farm were declared un-playable due to the deluge of snow and rain and this led to 7 of the scheduled fixtures being cancelled.

There were just two fixtures completed in the first division where Norton Athletic used one of their games in hand on leaders Hearts of Oak as they eased to an 8-0 win over CDS Waveney. Paul Harriman once more helped himself to a hat-trick, Andy Green and Danny Hoadley both scored twice and Tom Hudson got the other. Norton are now 5 points behind with a game in hand and all set for the big showdown next weekend. The other fixture played saw rather less goal mouth action as Kirkley and Spexhall battled out a goal-less draw. This almost puts paid to Kirkley’s chances of a 3rd place finish and means Spexhall trail Wrentham by 3 points.

The second division saw a further swing in the title race as following Hearts of Oak’s slip last week, nearest challengers Barsham slipped to a 3-2 defeat this week to Ellingham. Both sides have now played 20 games and Barsham trail by a point and it looks likely that it will come down to the final day clash between the two. Caxton Res. could have closed the gap on the leaders to 4 points however they two lost 3-1 to Pakefield Re-United and their chances of promotion now look slim.

The only other game that just managed to avoid being postponed was at Benjamin Britten where in form Norton Athletic Res. made it 4 on the bounce as they won 3-1 with goals from D Sanderson, C Morris and C Burton. They are now mid-table and their hopes of a top 6 finish still in-tact which will be an achievement in itself considering some of the early season defeats they suffered.

The third division title has already been decided and the runner’s up berth is now in the hands of Hopton White Hart following their 4-1 win over Earsham and Blundeston Plough’s 2-1 reverse at Bungay Town A whom had they started the season like they are finishing it could well have been in with a shout of promotion themselves. Hopton are now 2 points clear with a game in hand and Bungay are up to fourth.

The other two games to survive both ended in draws as CDS Waveney Res. held Oxford Arms Res. 2-2 and Marquis of Lorne drew 1-1 at mid table Spexhall Res.

Finally the league would like to welcome application from new teams wishing to enter the league for the 2008/09 season. Interested clubs should phone league secretary Mike Johnson on 01502 565518 as a matter of course so register your interest.

Scott Yarham

Results 29th March 2008

Division One:

Corton Res. P v P Sole Bay United Res.
Kirkley & Pakefield A 0 v 0 Spexhall
Norton Athletic 8 v 0 CDS Waveney
Oxford Arms P v P Waveney Youth

Division Two:

Beccles Caxton Res. 1 v 3 Pakefield Re-United
Corton White Horse Seltic P v P Crusaders
Ellingham 3 v 2 Barsham
Hearts of Oak Res. P v P Waveney Gunners
Lacon Arms P v P Oulton Broad & Notley’s Res.
Royal Standard 1 v 3 Norton Athletic Res.

Division Three:

Blundeston Plough 1 v 2 Bungay Town A
CDS Waveney Res. 2 v 2 Oxford Arms Res.
Hopton White Hart 4 v 1 Earsham
Ole Frank P v P Factory Arms
Spexhall Res. 1 v 1 Marquis of Lorne