Reigning champions Marlborough showed that they don’t intend to relinquish their title without a fight as they defeated an in form AFC Wanderers 3-0. All the goals came in the first period in a game that saw AFC finish with only eight men. Leaders The Grove had a comfortable 7-1 (Sam Mallett 2, Arran James 2, Lloyd Greening, George Brooks and Danny Blake) victory over Reepham Town, whilst Dog House also put seven past Norwich Busmen. Acle Rangers grabbed a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Wymondham Rangers and after receiving the league’s first Sporting Award of the season, Hellesdon Athletic probably took sportsmanship a bit too far as they slumped 6-1 at home to Aylsham Sunday.

They were both unbeaten, so something had to give as Fiveways lined up at home to Vale Longo in 1A. The visitors took a 1-0 lead through Jerry Archer into the break before Fiveways stormed into a 4-1 second half lead. Longo rallied but could only pull two back (Mark Woods and Pete Crowley) in an entertaining game. Dussindale Rovers missed out on the chance to go top as they went down 3-1 (Wayne Riseborough ,Ben Drummee, Aaron Roberts) at home to The Castlegate whilst on the eve of Halloween, Eaton FC won by the odd goal of nine in a “thriller” at Windmill Wanderers Simon Nicholls scored four and Michael Bolton added the other for Eaton. Horsford SC won 4-2 at Norman Wanderers and Ben Stearman netted a brace and Kevin Oakley another as Aslacton drew 3-3 at The Otter. Sprowston Rovers remain top of 1B after a 3-2 “derby” win at Catton and are two points ahead of Bayer FC who also won 3-2 at Norfolk CCSC. Sprowston Wanderers beat Prince of Denmark 3-2, whilst Spixworth went down; guess what, yes, 3-2 at home to Earlham Utd for whom Connor Delaney scored twice and Marcus Gee was also on target. The only game that didn’t end up 3-2 in 1B was at St Faiths where the home side beat Rose Tavern 3-1 thanks to two goals from Jordan King and another from Matt Egleton

In 2A, DCS Rapid closed the gap on leaders Hockering with a 6-1 (Lawrence Keelty, Nick Weavers, John Orr, Brett Kingsbury, Pat Cass, Paul Jones) home win over Acle Wanderers and Sprowston Sunday are lurking in third spot after a 3-0 victory at The Stores. Deopham and The Griffen shared the points in a 1-1 draw, mark Quinsey scoring for the home side. In 2B, leaders Heartsease were inactive, but Moles Rest missed the chance take top spot as they suffered their first defeat of the season, 4-2 at Poringland Res for whom Danny Webster, Rueben Clarke, Anthony Dooley and Hakeem Lahfa scored. Shaun Ward and Rhys Cousins replied for the visitors. Danny Walker and Clive Riches scored for Maid Marian as they came from two down against Hethersett Athletic before a twenty five yard strike five minutes from time by Nick Parker gave Marian all three points in a game they say was superbly refereed by Richard Gostling. 16 year olds, Rhys Logan and Macaulay Campbell were outstanding as PL Rangers won 6-2 at Sporting Farmhouse and Acle rangers Res beat Hingham by the odd goal in seven. Ribs Rovers came away from Hillside OB with a 2-0 victory.

New Buckenham have made it seven wins from seven games in 3A after thumping Dancing Farmers 7-1. Riverside Rovers won 2-0 at Newsman Celtic, but have their keeper to thank for a stunning penalty save ten minutes from time when they were one up. Hellesdon Res are third after a 5-3 win at River Garden and I saw some of an entertaining game between The Reindeer and Mad Moose, the home side coming from behind to level the scores at 3-3 only for Mad Moose to add a fourth and take the points. Constable Crusaders had a good 3-2 win at Sporting Longdale and Caseys Cosmos moved off the bottom with a 5-1 victory at Norman Wanderers A. One Love United increased their lead at the top of 3B by beating The Gordon 7-1 (Ronaldo Balde, Nash Makuve, Tobi Amadasun, Armando Bofuki, Ahmed Jallow, Bonito Gil and Kevin Akpos) whilst second placed Salhouse Rovers were two up thanks to Neil Woolner and a superb Jamie Weavers free kick, only to then concede two penalties for Aylsham Res to snatch a draw. Dale Simpson and Richard Donovan scored for Bell Inn as they won 2-1 at Sloughbottom Revolution and Unicorns Res were 4-1 winners over Briston Wanderers. DEF FC had a good 5-1 win at Freethorpe, whilst Taverham Utd and AFC Oak shared four goals and the points.

A point in a 2-2 draw at home to Manor Park was enough to see Phoenix Felthorpe go to the top of 4A. They are followed by four teams just a point behind, of which Brooke won 4-2 at Whiterose United and Temple Bar were 4-0 winners at Eaton Young Boys. Temples Property were involved in their usual high scoring game as they won 7-3 at William Rovers and Hockering Res had a 3-0 home win over Sporting Longdale Res. 4B leaders Drayton admit to being outplayed in the first half against Salhouse Res who scored twice through Tom Smith, but it was a different story after the break when Tom Frost pulled one back and a last minute own goal gave them a point. Schoolhouse were 5-1 (Joe McCarthy 2, Ian Garrod, Gregg Lawrence, Joshua Cullington) winners at Wendene Wanderers and Chapelfield Rovers won 3-1(Leon Campbell 2, Bilal Fares) at home to Windmill Elite. There was a 1-1 draw in the game between Hethersett Res and Costessey Sports Res.

It is disappointing to note that some clubs have had the need to complain about the behaviour of their opponent’s officials or supporters on the sideline. The league will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and remind clubs that they are responsible for the conduct of their officials and supporters. Clubs failing to deal with this problem WILL be charged by the league.