The Norwich & District Sunday Football League season is up and running again, as Ben Casey reports
After what seemed like a never-ending close season, the 2014/15 Norwich & District Sunday League season – sponsored by the Evening News and IT Copy – season is finally under way.
Champions Norman Wanderers travelled to last season's 1B winners Poringland Wanderers and the two sides produced a really good encounter.
After early chances at either end, Poringland took the lead when Matty Elwin fired home through a ruck of players, but before half-time, the visitors replied with goals from Dan Wynne and Scott Woodgate.
The second half was a tight affair with few clear-cut chances, but with five minutes left, the home side missed a glorious opportunity from two yards, and were left to rue the miss as in the last minute Jody Cork capped a decent debut for Normans with a glorious 20-yard strike to seal a 3-1 win.
Last season's runners-up AFC Wanderers suffered a poor start, going down 2-0 at Sprowston Rovers, with Harry Severn and Adam Willimott scoring for the home side, while Riverside Rovers announced their arrival in the Premier Division with a 9-1 (Jordan Rocastle 4, Roy Bevis, Sean Browne, Stephen Edridge, Liam Baker, Danny Bland) thrashing of Dog House. The POW were 4-1 (Nicky May 2, Chris Holmes, Ben Lewis) winners at newly-promoted Dussindale Rovers, whilst Farmhouse got the season off to a good start by beating Spixworth Sunday 4-1.
Bungay Town got their season off to a flier as they won the derby with Brooke FC 6-1. Dancing Farmers scored five (Mason Roe 2, Nick Aston, Matt Burroughs, Josh Sibley) of the eight goals in their game with DCS Rapid, whilst Sporting Longdale won by the odd goal of seven at home to Mad Moose.
Aslacton ran out 3-1 (Dean Mortimer 2, Justin Womack) winners at Vale Longo, but there were no goals in the game between Horsford Utd and Norman Wanderers Res.
On paper, this season's 1B looks very strong. William Wanderers showed their intent right from the off as they thumped Bell Inn 10-2. The prolific Daniel Childerhouse scored twice, as did Liam Brown, with further goals from Connor Charlesworth, Matt Nixon, James Denmark, James Bennett, Lee Roper and Craig Glen. Moles Rest got off to a winning start, 4-1 at St Faiths, for whom Andrew Hawes scored, while Sprowston Wanderers hit three as they beat Heartsease FC. Acle Rangers Res were 2-1 winners at home to Ribs Rovers, and there was a point and a goal apiece for Taverham Utd and Earlham Utd. Richard Myhill had put Taverham in front before Daniel O'Carroll equalised.
In 2A, Shipdham Rangers had a good start, beating The Fat Cat & Canary 8-1. Goals by Rennie (2), Dugdale and Francis helped Constable Crusaders to a 4-3 victory over Micawbers Tavern and Deopham scored twice in winning at Ketts Tavern Wizards. In the week that he became a dad, Martin Andrews rounded off a great week for himself by scoring both New Buckenham goals in a 2-1 win at Newsman Celtic – the second came in the last minute. Dilham Cross Keys shared six goals and the points with The Cottage, Mark Cage (2) and Charles Judson scoring for Cottage, and Norman Wanderers A and Bungay Town Res drew 1-1.
A Steve White hat-trick and a double for Blair Luther-Veitch helped Hethersett Athletic start the season with a 5-3 win at Costessey Sports in Division 2B.
Briston Wanderers scored three without reply at home to Mettingham and DEF FC were 4-1 winners at Locksley Ath. Revolution FC won 2-1 at Rileys FC while Kris Hume scored twice as Lakewood Utd won 2-0 at home to Salhouse Rovers.
New side The Middle Green got off to a real flier in 3A as they won their first ever league game, hammering Felthorpe FC 14-1.
Four goals in the first 11 minutes from Theo Chamberlain put Mischief FC in command against league newcomers Winfarthing. The south Norfolk side, though, showed some fighting spirit and pulled three back, before debut goals for Matt Payne and Luca Elia and a first competitive goal for Matt Moore sealed the points for the home side.
There were plenty of goals in this division – Dynamo scored five as they beat Tasburgh Utd and GaGa scored five (Aaron Sodah 3, James Wheeler, Kastriot Pepa) in winning at Brooke Reserves.
Westfield won 6-5 at MC Rovers in a game where both sides deserve credit for getting the fixture played. Marc Howard (2), Ashley Land (2) and Damien Kirtain Smith scored for Rovers. The game between AFC Westlegate and Sporting Longdale Res ended all square at 2-2.
In 3B, there was a good start for Binham Village who scored five without reply at East Tuddenham. Phoenix FC began life in the league with a 4-1 (Larry Rouse 2, Jamie Smith, Ellis Watts) win at Salhouse Rovers Res and Hickling Barn were 3-1 winners at Red Lion. Cellar House made a good start, winning 3-0 (Brett Hadley, Matt Lane, Wayne Norman) at Hethersett Res while there was a single goal victory for newcomers Trimingham Pilgrims at home to Sporting Iceni. Felthorpe began with a 1-1 draw at home to Silver Fox for whom Aaron Tunaley converted a last-minute penalty.
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