Notley's League Report 5th November

THE popular three division league continues to gather pace as a full fixture list has been completed in the past fortnight following the recent cancellation of matches.

To highlight this, only three teams from the 41 sides across the three divisions have managed to play eight league games thus far as the season moves into November.

The current campaign is also proving to be a tough one to call in all three leagues, with just six teams now boasting unbeaten records – and only three of these have unblemished 100pc credentials.

In division one, Waveney Reserves head the table with four wins and two draws from their six games. Champions Hearts of Oak continue to threaten and have moved ominously into third place, just a point behind the leaders with a game in hand. Two goals from Kirk Gowing and Joel Bray’s strike were enough to seal a 3-0 home win over Spexhall, who are now fifth.

Second-placed Barsham slipped to their second league defeat of the campaign with a 2-4 home defeat against seventh-placed Oxford Arms. Adam White’s brace for the home side wasn’t enough as Danny Newrick hit a hat trick, with fellow striker Ash Leggett also on the mark for The Arms.

Fourth placed Norton Athletic also fell to their second league defeat at home to a continually impressive Blundeston Magpies side. Andy Green and Paul Harriman had given the home side the lead, but eighth placed Blundeston – who despite being unbeaten have slipped down the table after having three points deducted – hit back with some late goals to win 3-2.

Sixth-placed Pot Black beat bottom of the table Ole Frank 5-1 with goals for Adam Bird, Ian Wilson, Gavin Hunt and two for Vinny Terry.

Corton White Horse moved up to ninth with a convincing 7-1 win over Beccles Caxton Reserves. In the only other match played between two first division one sides – Mutford & Wrentham and Kirkley and Pakefield A – the visitors progressed to the next round of the cup after winning 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Former K&P A boss Shaun Norman was the hero, as he excelled in goal with two shoot-out saves.

AFC Star and Pakefield Re-United continue to shine at the top of division two with both boasting six wins from their six league games.

AFC Star scored a last minute winner to beat sixth-placed Suffolk Punch 3-2. Pakefield Re-United meanwhile kept the pressure on with a 4-0 win at home to 10th placed Sole Bay United Reserves, courtesy of an own goal and others for Harlow, Chapman and Hone.

Third placed Ellingham narrowly beat 11th placed Hopton 3-2, with goals from M Griffen, O Rushmere and D Fowles. Fourth placed Crusaders drew 1-1 with bottom of the table Harleston Town Reserves, fifth placed Great Yarmouth Town Hall had a good 5-2 away win at 12th placed Tudor.

There was a thriller at Norton, as the village side’s reserves team were 3-1 down against Lowestoft International, but battled back to draw 4-4 – with a hat trick for Daniel Robinson and a goal from Steve Rivett – in a result that puts Norton reserves in seventh and Lowestoft International first from bottom.

In the only other league game played, Corton A moved up to ninth after beating eight placed Bungay Town A 3-1.

In division three, only one team has maintained a 100pc start to the new season – with former leaders Waveney Gunners now in second place with five wins from their five games, as The Gunners went nap at seventh-placed Spexhall Reserves winning 5-0.

Waveney A top the table and are a point ahead of The Gunners, but they’ve played three games more. Victory on Saturday was secured for the leaders with an 8-1 demolition of 10th placed Oxford Arms Reserves.

Kirkley & Pakefield B continue to move upwards and the youngsters are now third, three points behind the leaders, after a 4-1 home win over 12th placed Marquis of Lorne – with two goals for Luke Graham and others from Tom Banger and Elliot Reynolds.

Corton White Horse Seltic Reserves are also three points behind the leaders in fourth after a 1-1 draw with eighth placed Blundeston Magpies Reserves.

Norman Warrior are fifth after a 2-0 home win over ninth placed Mutford & Wrentham Reserves. Earsham’s fine 4-0 away win at first from bottom Westhall moves them up to sixth.

In the only other league game played in division three, Factory Arms moved up to 11th place with a 5-1 home win over bottom of the table Carlton Rangers.