Cup surprises in Crown Fire League

Crown Fire Central & South Norfolk League

There were a couple of surprises in the fifth round of the Ben Smith Memorial Cup, the league's premier trophy competition.

Methwold Rovers from Division Three were good value for their 4-2 home win over Cranworth and, in the all-second division clash, Yaxham turned the form book upside down to beat Castle Acre Swifts by the odd goal of three.

In the all-first division encounter, Bridgham Utd beat Gressenhall 3-2 and Dereham Town A also got past Sporle by the same score.

In the semi-finals, Bridgham will entertain Dereham Town A while Yaxham will be at home to Methwold Rovers.

There were just three matches in Division One. Thetford Rovers Res won 3-0 at Rockland Utd to go back to the top of the table. Bunwell beat Great Ryburgh 7-0 while Narborough won 3-1 at bottom team Cockers.

There are also new leaders in Division Two. Feltwell Utd return to the top following their 3-2 win at Nostro and Northwold S&SC have moved above former leaders Hethersett Athletic into second place after beating them 2-1.

Morley Village won 11-1 at bottom team Hingham Athletic Res and stay fifth on the same number of points as Necton who were 5-0 home winners over West End. In the other match, Shropham Utd beat Wymondham Town A by the same score.

Thurton & Ashby stay top of Division Three but were given a run for their money by Narborough Res who held them to a 2-1 scoreline.

North Elmham are up to second after beating Rockland Utd Res 5-0 and Breckland Wanderers stay fourth after notching up the highest score of the day in their 12-0 mauling of bottom team Shipdham Res.

Wendling are up to fifth following their 6-1 win at Splitz Utd, having moved above Bawdeswell who lost 2-0 at home to Marham Wanderers. In the other match, Gressenhall Res won 7-0 at Great Cressingham.

The Division Four leaders, Mulbarton Wanderers Res consolidated their lead with a 7-0 win at Shropham Utd Res and Mattishall A are up to second after their 5-1 home win over Weasenham Wanderers.

Scarning Utd continued their fine run with a 4-2 home win over Beetley Utd, Nostro Res beat bottom team Dereham Cockers Utd 6-1 and Tugas Utd got past Colkirk by the odd goal of five.

In the replayed Dick Davey Ambulance Cup second round tie, Saham Toney Res inflicted an 8-1 defeat on North Elmham Res and will now meet North Elmham first team in the third round.

In the matches in that round, Diss Town A pulled off the result of the day by winning 3-1 at Swaffham Town A. Hingham Athletic beat Shipdham by the odd goal of five after extra time and Stoke Ferry beat Tacolneston Res 3-1.

The semi-final draw pairs Diss Town A against Hingham Athletic while Stoke Ferry will host the winners of the Saham Toney Res v North Elmham tie.

John Turner