Thurlow Nunn League round-up: Gilfedder goes nap as Kirkley & Pakefield send Whitton United down

Kirkley & Pakefield were in seventh heaven as they confirmed Whitton United's relegation from the Premier Division.

Only two top-flight matches survived the wet weather – which forced champions-elect Norwich United to keep the champagne on ice until at least Wednesday when they can wrap things up by picking up three points at Walsham-le-Willows – but the goals poured in at both on a day to remember for Ross Gilfedder.

The Royals' hitman found the net five times as Kirkley destroyed basement boys Whitton 7-0 at Walmer Road. Fellow frontman Nathan Stone bagged the other two goals during his fifth-placed side's impressive home victory, their eighth triumph in 10 league matches.

In the day's other Premier Division match, a Jamie Mitchell hat-trick helped Long Melford thump Newmarket Town 6-1.

Second-from-bottom Swaffham Town still received a boost in their bid to beat the drop, now seemingly affecting two teams, not three, despite not playing.

Newmarket fielded an ineligible player in their 1-0 win against the Pedlars last month and must now replay the game on April 25.

The games involving the top three in the First Division were all postponed leaving Halstead Town, fourth, to close the gap to the promotion places to just two points with a 3-2 home win over Stowmarket Town.

The Humbugs have, however, played a game more than third-placed Great Yarmouth Town.

Downham Town (goalscorers Craig Dickson and Connor Walker) beat Braintree Town Reserves 2-1 at home while Diss Town (Jamie George 2 and Luke Priestley) triumphed 3-1 at March Town United (Dan Woods).