CHRIS LAKEY Justin Fox ensured Damian Hilton's return as Wroxham manager got off to a winning start with a hat-trick which kept the Yachtsmen in the thick of the pack at the top of the Premier Division.

CHRIS LAKEY

Justin Fox ensured Damian Hilton's return as Wroxham manager got off to a winning start with a hat-trick which kept the Yachtsmen in the thick of the pack at the top of the Premier Division.

Hilton had taken the reins again after resigning last month, but it was Fox who stole the headlines as the champions beat Felixstowe & Walton United 3-0 at Trafford Park.

“This was a splendid result against a team which was sixth,” said Hilton. “It was built on hard work and effort from all of the players, and I was most encouraged by the disciplined display which we have to maintain if we are to keep on track to retain the Ridgeons Premier title.”

Hilton had his boots on again at the weekend, playing in attack because of injuries and suspensions, but it was Fox who was on form. His first came on just three minutes and on 34 minutes he made it two, finishing off a three-man move involving Hilton and Gavin Lemmon.

His hat-trick came in the final minutes from the penalty spot after a handball, which earned Matthew Morgan a red.

There's not much room to manoeuvre at the top, with Needham Market two points clear, but with games in hand, despite struggling to a 4-3 home win over second-from-bottom Newmarket.

Soham stay second, ahead of Wroxham on goal difference, after a 6-0 win at Harwich & Parkeston, while Mildenhall are five points back in fourth after thumping Lowestoft 7-0.

Dereham beat King's Lynn Reserves for the second time in a week, having knocked the west Norfolk team out of the Norfolk Senior Cup in midweek. It took 75 minutes for the Magpies to break down the visitors, Graham Barrett roofing a left-foot drive.

Midlenhall's new management team of Dave Pinkowski and Tony Lyes got off to a perfect start against Lowestoft, although it was only 1-0 at half-time, Andy Eady getting the goal.

Former Norwich City Reserves player Lewis Blois set up a second for Eady and one for Matty Robinson before getting in on the act. Andrew Claydon (2) and Dave Werthman also got on the scoresheet.

It was a bad day for the coastal teams, with Kirkley & Pakefield losing 2-1 at home to Stanway, who went ahead on 27 minutes through Sam Newson. The same player added a second on 65 minutes before Joe Jefford pulled one back for Kirkley.

Wisbech beat bottom side Ipswich Wanderers 2-1 at Fenland Park, Billy Smith and Stuart Ablett getting the goals, while Swaffham enjoyed a good 1-0 home win over Haverhill.

Francis Kumbur's goal was simply a consolation for Norwich United, beaten 3-1 at Walsham-le-Willows.

In Division One, Downham Town drop to third after a 5-2 home defeat by Ely, who leapfrog them into second, while Diss won 3-1 at Whitton, Best, Lawrence and Norman getting their goals.

Gorleston had a 5-1 victory at Stowmarket thanks to Gary Todd (2), Lee Hunter, Matty Bowles and Ricci Butler.

Fakenham lost 3-0 at home to Tiptree, while Yarmouth beat Debenham 2-1 with goals from Crane and Elliott Dawes. Thetford lost 4-2 at Saffron Walden.