GROVE EXTEND LEAD AFTER FESTIVE BREAK

Thankfully football has returned after the festive break, and with their main rivals in the Premier Division occupied with County Cup action, The Grove made the most of the chance to move further clear at the top by beating Dog House 2-0, goals coming from Gary Bee and Aaron James. Aylsham Sunday had a 3-1 win at Unicorns, whilst Reepham Town had a very good 5-1 victory at Norwich Busmen.

In 1A, leaders Fiveways were given a fright at bottom side The Otter, eventually winning by the odd goal of seven to keep them two points ahead of Dussindale Rovers who were 2-1 winners over Windmill Wanderers. Horsford SC are up to third spot after winning 4-2 at The Castlegate, and Vale Longo came back from two down with goals from Jason Drake, Kevin Brown and Dave Lefevre, playing in his first game for 3 years, to win 3-2 at North Walsham. 1B leaders Sprowston Rovers scored the only goal of the game in their local derby with Sprowston Wanderers to move eleven points clear of Bayer who were in cup action, but have now three games in hand. Prince of Denmark missed the chance to go second as goals by Damon Brown 2, Kevin Tate 2, and Connor Delaney, gave visitors Earlham Utd a 5-3 win. Norfolk CCSC got 2012 off to a good start with a 6 -2 victory over St Faiths thanks goals from Jack Daines 2 Ryan Stalker 2 and Ben Morgan 2. Dave Waters and Ryan Oakley replied for St Faiths. Rose Tavern turned around a 0-2 half time deficit against Haig FC in brilliant fashion to win 3-2.  After a poor first half performance they produced a dominant second half display to win with goals from Ramin Fakour-Zaker, Ramin Fakour-Zaker and Oliver Bennison. It a result that sees them climb off of bottom spot and over Spixworth Sunday who drew 2-2 at home to Catton FC.

Hockering stay six points clear at the top of 2A after a narrow 3-2 (Shaun Hanner 2, Mori Elliot)  home win over The Griffen. DCS Rapid in second place, were comfortable 8-1 (Nick Weavers 2, John Davis 2, Pat Cass 2, Adam Kobylecki and og) victors over ten man Green Man and The Stores are third after beating Deopham 2-0. There was a good away victory for Norman Wanderers Res, 3-0 at Acle Wanderers. Moles Rest are four points clear in 2B after a goalless draw at Acle Rangers Res. John Olds scored twice for Maid Marian as they won a very good game at Heartsease FC 2-1 and Poringland Wanderers scored seven (Danny Webster 3, Anthony Dooley 2, Rueben Clarke, David Gilfillan) when winning at Hillside OB. Sporting Farmhouse won 3-1 at Hingham Sunday, whilst Ribs Rovers and Hethersett Ath shared six goals and the points.

With Riverside Rovers in County Cup action, New Buckenham increased their lead at the top of the table as they beat River Garden 4-1. Third placed Hellesdon Ath Res were 5-2 winners at Newsman Celtic and Dancing Farmers thumped Norman Wanderers A putting eleven past them. A Liam Frost double and a goal from Adam Depledge helped Constable Crusaders to a 3-2 home win over Caseys Cosmos. There were nine goals in the game at Taverham Utd, but unfortunately for the home side 3B leaders One Love Utd scored five of them through Ronaldo Balde 3, Uche Rickey and Lamarana Jalo. Neil Woolner 2 and Martin Woolner were the scorers as second placed Salhouse Rovers beat Freethorpe 3-0 and Briston Wanderers recent good run has seen them rise to third. This week they were 3-1 winners at Aylsham Sunday Res. DEF FC had a narrow 3-2 win at AFC Oak, but the Bell Inn went down 2-1 at home to The Gordon. Steve Kelly and Zach Howe were on target for Sloughbottom Revolution as they came from two down to earn a home draw against Unicorns Res.

Temple Bar missed the chance to close on the leaders in 4A as they were beaten 2-1 at home to Manor Park. Earlham Colney and Sporting Longdale Res drew 3-3, Nick Clark 2, and Jamie Clarke scoring for Longdale as they came from 3-1 down, but the result of the day was a first win and points of the season for William Rovers for whom new signing Connor Charlesbury scored twice as they won 2-0 at Eaton Young Boys. It was a deserved result for club stalwart Nigel Barker who has kept the club going through some tough times. In 4B, Drayton Sunday slipped to a single goal defeat at Hethersett Ath Res and after a sticky period Dilham cross Keys got back to winning ways beating Wendene Wanderers 3-0, goals coming from Louis Gelinas, Paul Grothier and Nick Slade.

In the County Cups, there was a great win for Marlborough over Yarmouth side Windmill in the Senior Cup. AFC Wanderers and Acle Rangers must play again after a 2-2 draw, but there were defeats for Bayer and Hellesdon Athletic against Yarmouth opposition. The Intermediate Cup brought great wins for Sprowston Sunday and Riverside Rovers, but Mad Moose and Sporting Longdale bowed out, whilst the Junior Cup saw only Schoolhouse and Temples Property progress to the semi finals.