Lead stretched

Crown Fire Central and South Norfolk LeagueThetford Athletic made it a happy new year for themselves as they beat East Harling Reserves 3-1 and stretched their lead at the top of Division One to six points.

Crown Fire Central and South Norfolk League

Thetford Athletic made it a happy new year for themselves as they beat East Harling Reserves 3-1 and stretched their lead at the top of Division One to six points.

Second-placed Saham Toney dropped two points in being held to a 1-1 draw by North Elmham and are now on the same number of points as Mulbarton Wanderers who preserved their unbeaten record with a 2-0 home win over Gressenhall.

At the other end of the table, there were some good results for some of the teams in the relegation zone. Bridgham United had a comfortable 4-1 home win over Shipdham while Rockland United beat Yaxham 5-3 and Toftwood Rangers won by the only goal of the game at Dereham Town A to move off the foot of the table for the first time in nearly three months.

Attleborough Town A increased their lead at the top of Division Two with a 4-2 win at Wymondham Town A and Swaffham Town A move up to third spot after winning 4-1 at Saham Toney Reserves Bunwell beat Morley Village Reserves 4-0 and Tacolneston won 6-1 at Yaxham Reserves. Bottom team Necton Reserves recorded their first league win of the season with a 3-1 home success over Hingham Athletic Reserves.

In Division Three, Bawdeswell closed the gap on the leaders, Thetford Rovers Reserves to just two points with a 6-0 home win over Rockland United Reserves. West End are up to third place after beating Shropham United 2-0. Gressenhall Reserves and Bradenham Wanderers Reserves took a point each from a 3-3 draw and Shipdham Reserves and Foulsham Reserves did likewise in a 1-1 draw in a sporting match well-refereed by Gerald Pearce.

Division Four leaders Hethersett Athletic ran up the highest score of the day in beating Shropham United Reserves 16-0 and second-placed Hindolveston also won, beating Breckland Wanderers 3-0 to open up a nine-point gap to Colkirk in third place who were beaten 3-2 at home by Splitz United. Northwold SSC are fourth after winning their local derby with Methwold Rovers 6-4. Castle Acre Swifts beat Beetley by the odd goal of three and Thurton and Ashby won 4-0 at Fakenham Town A.

Watton United A made further progress in the Norfolk Primary Cup, beating Great Yarmouth Peelers 3-2 in the fourth round match.