There were few surprises as the second round of this League Cup took place this weekend. The only First Division team to beat a Premier side were Fiveways who won 3-0 at Unicorns. Holders Acle Rangers were 2-0 winners at home to Eaton FC, whilst Premier Division leaders The Grove admitted being lucky as a goal from Lloyd Greening and an own goal five minutes from time saw them beat Castlegate 2-1. Marlborough scored ten whilst winning at Rose Tavern although for home side Shaun Brown making his first appearance of the season was excellent as were Michael Robinson and Peter Wright, if everyone had put their effort in it would have been a closer game reported Tavern. Dog House scored seven as they won at Spixworth as did Norwich Busmen (Shaun Swatman 2, Andy Hanby 2, David Taylor 2, and Tom Lansdale) as they beat Aslacton 7-2. Aylsham Sunday overcame Prince of Denmark 4-1and Hellesdon also made it through to the last eight as they won 4-0 at Windmill Wanderers.

In the Premier Division, Luke Tuttle 2, Matty Elwin and Craig Vincent were on target as AFC Wanderers closed the gap at the top of the table, beating Reepham Town 4-0.

The only game played in 1A brought a 4-1 win for North Walsham at Horsford SC whilst in 1B, leaders Sprowston Rovers put last week’s setback behind them as they beat Earlham Utd 4-1. Second placed Bayer FC had goals by Wayne Nelson and Ross McGregor to thank for a 2-1 win at home to Sprowston Wanderers.

2A leaders, Hockering were 3-1 (Ben Gee, Dan Gowing, Mori Elliot) winners at Acle Wanderers and head the table by five points from DCS Rapid who had a narrow 2-1 (Pat Cass, Nick Weavers) win at Norman Wanderers Res. The Griffen returned to winning ways at Stoke. Despite goals by Justin Cameron and Matt Seager, the visitors ran out 5-2 winners. PL Rangers’ stay at the top of 2B was short lived as they went down 3-0 at home to Maid Marian. Despite the scoreline, Rangers were full of praise for the sportsmanship of their opponents which is great to see. For their part Maid Marian described the game as probably the clubs finest performance. All three goals were headers from Scott Laxton, Matt Thurlow and leading scorer Clive Riches. Moles Rest returned to the top as they scored nine without reply at home to Hillside OB, whilst Acle Rangers Res kept up their recent good run by winning 2-1 at Hethersett Ath. There were two penalties for Shaun Vincent and a goal with his second touch for substitute Stephen Mutton as Poringland Res won 3-1 at Sporting Farmhouse.

I travelled to Eaton CNS to watch a good game between Constable Crusaders and leaders Riverside Rovers. Rovers were made to work hard by Crusaders and only Roy Bevis’ second goal of the game eight minutes from time secured a 3-1 win. Ben Atkins scored the other Rovers goal, whilst the outstanding Dan Sherwood replied for the home side. Alan Taylor also caught the eye for Crusaders who forced Rovers keeper Liam Still into a few smart saves. It turned out to be a good morning for riverside as both of their nearest challengers suffered defeats. New Buckenham’s poor run continued as they conceded five at Dancing Farmers, whilst Hellesdon Res went down 2-1 at home to Norman Wanderers A. Mad Moose will be disappointed that after being 3-0 up in twenty minutes, they drew 3-3 with Sporting Longdale for whom Zoltan Lazer, Tibor Megyesi and player manager Lewis Brady scored, and there were two goals apiece for Mark Fogarty and Chris Neave and another for Gareth Davies as River Garden beat The Reindeer 5-0. One Love march on at the top of 3B after winning 10-1 at Unicorns Res. Bell Inn moved up to second spot as they beat Salhouse Rovers 2-1 and Aylsham Res had a good 7-2 victory at AFC Oak. Taverham Utd were 3-1 winners at The Gordon and there was a late winner for Sloughbottom Revolution as they won 2-1 at DEF FC. New signing Anthony Whales and Steve Kelly were the scorers.

A fifth goal with the last kick of the game saw 4A leaders Bungay Town beat Manor Park 5-4 to open up an eight point lead from Temples Property who were 3-1 victors over Hockering Res. Temple Bar beat Whiterose Utd 2-0 (Jimmy Ross and Sean Hankins) and two goals from Brad Warr and one from Nick Clark gave Sporting Longdale Res a 3-1 lead in their game, however they allowed Eaton Young Boys back in to the match and lost 4-3. Liam Baker 2, Ashley Farrow and Josh Allen were on target as the William Rovers revival continued with a 4-2 victory over Phoenix Felthorpe. Daniel Childerhouse 3, Shane Wright and Duncan Walker all scored for 4B leaders William Wanderers as they bounced back from last week’s defeat with a 5-1 win at Costessey Sports. Schoolhouse FC stay level on points after beating Chapelfield Rovers 8-3, Richard Brett 3, Chris Hall 3, Brendan Burke and Shaun Bammant scoring for Schoolhouse. Salhouse Res were 3-1 (James Smith 2, Ryan Blyth)winners over Drayton Sunday, James Tubb replying for Drayton and Windmill Elite scored a last minute winner (Matthew Brighton, Matthew Daynes, Jonathan Wilson)as they beat Dilham Cross Keys for whom Nicky Wood and Lewis Gelinas replied.

Clubs are reminded that when they play at home, they MUST confirm the fixture with their opponents at least four days before the game. Failure to do so WILL lead to your club being fined.