Hat-tricks by Chris Fuller of North Elmham's first team and Charlie Gunner of the reserves earned both teams three points in their push for promotion.

Fuller and Az Fletcher struck a hat-trick and a brace respectively in a 5-4 win against promotion rivals Sporle that took the first team into second place in Central & South Norfolk League Division Two.

It was a close game throughout which meant tensions were running high and when a penalty was given to Sporle, for an incident that seemingly occurred outside the penalty area, Fletcher was sent off for protesting. Despite playing with 10 men, Elmham hung on until the final whistle.

Sporle visit North Elmham this weekend for the return game (kick-off 1.45pm).

The Reserves also kept their chances of promotion alive in Division Four with a 9-1 demolition of Yaxham Reserves.

The North Elmham youngsters played some exciting passing football which left the more experienced Yaxham team often flat footed.

With the referee having an outstanding game, allowing what was a clean competitive match to flow without disruption, the supporters of both teams were treated to some very exciting football.

It was Matty Giles who opened the scoring early in the game when he took on the Yaxham defence from outside the box and after leaving two of them standing, fired the ball home giving the keeper no chance. This was just the start of the onslaught as Elmham scored again through Erik Woodcock (2), Charlie Gunner (3) Jamie Grimson, and Joe Gaston (2).