EAST MEN'S LEAGUE: Norwich City went down to a 4-2 defeat at home to St Albans despite producing a spirited performance in the East Men's League Premier Division A.

St Albans took the lead somewhat fortuitously when a speculative cross was deflected past the home keeper by City's Jim Pallister.

With 20 minutes gone City fell further behind, a long through ball was too far ahead of the St Albans forwards, but Rees Leonard's attempted clearance to a team-mate found a St Albans player whose quick pass found an unmarked forward to slide into an unguarded net.

Three minutes after the restart City had pulled a goal back. Bob Hammond's penetrating dribble ended with a pass that found Will Stuttard on the left who swept the ball into the circle. The ball eluded both defenders and attackers before finding Chris Wardale who tapped-in at the far post.

Twenty minutes later City equalised, the initial short corner routine broke down but the ball found its way to Pete Morgan whose shot was saved by the keeper and fell to Jez Elliott on the edge of the circle and he drilled the ball high into the net.

St Albans hit back immediately and scored a well worked goal and as City pushed forward to find another equaliser St Albans broke to score a fourth.

Dereham were left to rue a number of missed opportunities as they lost 3-1 at home to Bedford.

Dereham started strongly and went close through Richard Stainthorpe and Rob Turner but Bedford hit the front midway through the half thanks to a deflected strike. Bedford doubled their lead in the second period thanks to another deflection but Dereham reduced the arrears thanks to Mark Hunter's drag flick. Hunter almost found an equaliser before Bedford made sure of the win late on.

North Norwich Dragons eased to a convincing 3-1 victory over Cambridge III in 2N.

The Dragons started well but it was Cambridge that took the lead thanks to a calm finish. Dragons responded thanks to Snelling's high flick being deflected home.

Shortly after Snelling struck again thanks to a fantastic effort and midway through the second half Dragons put the result beyond doubt thanks to Wolfe's solo strike.

Norwich City II ground out a 2-1 victory at Gorleston in 2N despite being short of several regulars.

City did the damage in the first period thanks to a Matthew Brine double. Gorleston rallied in the second half and pulled a goal back but City weathered the storm and held on for victory.

Norwich City III made the worst possible start to their 3NE campaign after being thumped 6-0 against IES.

City couldn't cope with the pace of their opponents and heads dropped after going 3-0 down and IES took full advantage to score three more.

Norwich City IV got their 4NE season off to a great start by seeing off Felixstowe II 6-2.

Felixstowe went in front against the run of play early on but City got back on level terms thanks to Andrew Cook's fine finish.

Felixstowe got their noses back in front early in the second period but once again Norwich wouldn't let their heads drop and Tim Armstrong made it 2-2. Chris Perry then took centre stage by netting a hat-trick, putting his side firmly in charge and Tim Crane completed a fine second half display with a near post effort.

Holt Harlequins produced an excellent display to hammer North Walsham II 5-1 in 4NE.

Goals from Charlie Mack and Ed Plumb early on gave their side a cushion but they had to wait until the second half to extend their advantage, again through Plumb. Mack struck again to make it 4-0 before Walsham netted a deserved consolation. However, it was left to Plumb to have the final say as he completed his hat-trick.

Norwich City V went down to Felixstowe III 4-1 on the opening day of the season in 5NE.

Norwich took the lead early on through Joe Konieczny but it was all Felixstowe from then on as they cantered to victory.

Norwich Dragons III went goal crazy at home to Ipswich and East Suffolk V as they won 8-0 in 6NE.

Adie Kemp bagged himself a hat-trick while goals from John Ives, Andy Key, Mark Flatman, George Walker and Will Ives completed the rout.