Howzat! Gatting grabs hat-trick for Dereham; Wroxham held in ECL and surprise loss for Ang Com leaders

Dom Mirner was on target for Bungay Town in their 6-1 Anglian Combination First Division win over Reepham Town Picture: Shaun Cole (Image: Archant)

It's goals, goals, goals for Dereham Town – but they had to withstand a late onslaught before clinching a 4-3 win at bottom club Romford.

Joe Gatting was the Magpies hero with a hat-trick in what was effectively a six-pointer, but it was a nervous ending for the visitors as Romford grabbed two goals in the final four minutes before finally running out of time.

Victory extended Dereham's unbeaten run to six games whole Gatting - also a top local cricketer – has taken his tally to 10 league goals for the season.

Dereham were ahead after just five minutes when Danny Beaumont's deep corner was headed down by Shaun Wones at the far post and nudged home by Gatting.

Darrell Wigger in action for Bungay Town in their 6-1 Anglian Combination First Division win over Reepham Town Picture: Shaun Cole (Image: Archant)

It was 2-0 on 13 minutes when Malaki Toussaint miscued Adam Hipperson's cross into his own net, although Romford reduced the deficit three minutes when Toussaint made up for his error by heading past keeper Jake Cox.

Gatting was at it again on 32 minutes after Wones headed Beaumont's delivery back across goal and the striker cushioned home a header.

After the break Wones had a header cleared off the line, while at the other end Nick Reynolds headed over before Michael Mignot fired over from the edge of the area as Romford remained a threat.

Dereham keeper Cox made a stunning save to keep out Reece Hewitt's thumping volley that was heading towards the top corner – and the Magpies replied immediately. Hipperson slipped the ball to Gatting on the right and he coolly guided home past the advancing keeper for his hat-trick in the 75th minute.

Swaffham's Luke Reed pulls the trigger through a barrage of Cornard players. The match ended 2-2 Picture Eddie Deane (Image: Archant)

Dereham were reduced to 10 men in the 84th minute when Beaumont was dismissed after picked up two yellows in the space of six minutes.

Then came the late Romford assault: they reduced the deficit in the 86th minute through substitute Chris Taylor after a goalmouth scramble and grabbed another a minute from time when Hewitt drilled home a low drive to set up a tense finale.

Eastern Counties League

Kyle Plumb on the charge for Swaffham, who drew 2-2 at home to Cornard Picture Eddie Deane (Image: Archant)

Wroxham and Kirkley & Pakefield both dropped points at the top end of the Premier Division table.

The Yachtsmen were held to a goalless draw at home to Haverhill Rovers, but remain fourth.

Kirkley went down 3-2 at home to FC Clacton and slip to eighth, four points behind Wroxham. The Royals goals came from a Cameron Russell penalty which levelled it after the visitors led at half-time, with Matthew Brown then giving them a chance when he pulled one back to make it 3-2.

Norwich United enjoyed a 3-1 home win over Ely City but there was disappointment for Great Yarmouth Town, who went down 1-0 at home to Whitton United.

Joe Jackson, strength and determination (Image: Archant)

Anglian Combination

Caister boss Ricci Butler shouldered the blame after the leaders were beaten 3-1 at home by Waveney.

'My fault today,' he tweeted. 'Manager has to take responsibility. I pick squad, team, it happens. My fault, no excuses, we move on.'

Brady Philpott scored for Caister, with Waveney's goals coming from Joel Wilson (2) and Conor Swan.

David Weaver-Pope going to ground to make the challenge for Swaffham in their 2-2 draw with Cornard Picture Eddie Deane (Image: Archant)

Caister remain top but the gap to Long Stratton is now three points after their closest rivals beat visiting Beccles Town 3-1. James Bemrose, Charlie Deakin and Matthew Nichols scored for Stratton, with Billy Shaw replying.

Sheringham are the danger team – they are third, six points off the top with two games in hand after beating Bradenham Wanderers 5-1. Tim Cary, Jamie Nelson, Dale Wilton, Shane Cox and George Abbott were all on target, with Bradenham's reply coming from Matthew Blackford.

Fourth-placed Wymondham went down 4-3 at Hellesdon, for whom Jack Hurrell scored a hat-trick.

Norwich Ceyms ended a five-game winless run with a 3-1 success at St Andrews. Jack Smith, Kelvin Haywood and Darren Smith scored for the visitors with the reply coming from Daniel Bowen.

Swaffham's Kyle Plumb avoiding a challenge against Cornard. The match ended 2-2 Picture Eddie Deane (Image: Archant)

Acle beat visiting Wroxham Reserves 2-0 with goals from Lucas Bull-Anthony and Jamie Smith while Samuel Gauntlett's goal was enough to earn Blofield United the points at home to Norwich United U21. Mattishall and Scole United shared six goals – Matthew Webster (2) and Logan Copsey scored for the hosts with Scole's goals coming from Joseph Hooton, Callum Bray and Ben Norton-Hugman.

The big winners in Division One were Bungay Town, who thrashed Reepham 6-1, with goals from Shaun Whiteman (2), John Riches, Ashley Canham, Dominic Mirner and an own goal.