Southern Premier
Having made a promise to the Linnets’ faithful to expect big things from the club when he arrived last year, chairman Stephen Cleeve made a serious statement of intent this month, with the acquisition of two ex-Premier League footballers in the form of Grant Holt and Simon Lappin. The signings both played a major part in Norwich City’s fortunes in recent years, with the former being something of a talismanic superhero to the Canaries’ supporters.
Their signings have brought about a increased interest in the club and has already resulted in an improvement in crowd figures. The pre-Holt and Lappin average attendance was just under 750, but since their arrival ahead of the Hitchin game, the three league games played at The Walks has seen nearly 3000 spectators pass through the turnstiles.
On the pitch, things have also been rosy for The Linnets. Despite losing their first game of the month 3-1 away at Weymouth, they have racked up four straight wins in the league (over Hitchin Town, Kings Langley, Dunstable Town and Bishop’s Stortford – in which Holt grabbed his first goal in Lynn colours), and they currently sit 2nd in the table, only being denied the top spot by Slough Town’s superior goal difference.
Unfortunately for Lynn, the month ended in disappointing fashion as they succumbed to a surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Step 4 side Mildenhall Town. This curtailed any hopes that the club had regarding a visit to Wembley, and also ended the involvement in the FA Trophy for all Norfolk clubs.
Isthmian North
In addition to Lynn’s healthy position, there is a sense of satisfaction further down the A47, as Dereham Town finish the month looking down on their Isthmian North competitors from the top of the tree.
The Magpies have had a fine month, winning all four league games, and thus extending their unbeaten league run to seven. Consecutive 3-1 home wins over Potters Bar Town and Mildenhall Town, in which Jamie Forshaw grabbed a brace in both, were followed by a 2-0 win at Cheshunt and a fine 1-0 success at fellow high-flyers AFC Hornchurch to ensure Neal Simmons’ troops hold a 2 point advantage at the top.
Like The Linnets, Dereham’s only real disappointment came in the FA Trophy as they conceded a last minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Bowers & Pitsea, before suffering a 4-1 defeat in the replay at Aldiss Park.
Elsewhere in the division, Norwich Utd have managed to drag themselves off the foot of the table, largely thanks to a 2-0 win over Waltham Abbey that came on the heels of a point gained in a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Romford. These results were bookended by convincing defeats at the hands of Soham Town Rangers (3-0) and Haringey Borough (4-0), whilst The Planters fell at the first hurdle in the FA Trophy, losing 4-3 to Grays Athletic despite a spirited second half comeback.
Manager Steve Eastaugh has made a good number of additions over recent weeks to bolster his squad, with Hafeez Sanusi making a positive impact in the goalscoring charts.
Eastern Counties Premier
The main focus across the county in this division over the past month centred around the situation that escalated at Fakenham Town.
Following the departure of Robbie Harris in September, things snowballed from there and came to a head on the 10th day of the month. The players made a united stand against the decisions of the club committee, and refused to play in the game against Great Yarmouth Town, resulting in the game being postponed fifteen minutes before kick off. With the help of youth team coaches and players, a side was raised for the following Saturday, but they succumbed to a 3-1 Norfolk Senior Cup defeat to Yelverton, a side three divisions below them. They then lost 3-0 to Ely City, but having installed Youth Team Manager Alex Walpole as Caretaker Manager, alongside a trio of knowledgeable individuals in Barnes, Keeley & Colman to repair the damage, they have recovered from their strife and actually gained two good wins, over Hadleigh Town and Gorleston to move off the foot of the table. Consecutive 4-0 defeats to Stowmarket Town and Great Yarmouth Town have occurred since, but The Ghosts are in a much better place than the bleak future that presented itself early in the month.
Gorleston were another club which saw a new man at the helm. Stewart Larter replaced Ricci Butler at Emerald Park for a second stint as Greens’ boss, but his opening month in the job has been a winless one. They lost key player Connor Deeks, who defected to Wroxham soon after Larter’s arrival, and only picked up one point, as well as losing in the Norfolk Senior Cup and Eastern Counties League Cup. I witnessed their Senior Cup defeat on penalties to Anglian Combination side Mulbarton Wanderers, and despite a poor opening half in which they seemed to be overawed and outmuscled by their hosts, a much improved second half saw a fightback from two goals down, largely due to the introduction Jack Garrod who was the catalyst as he scored with his first touch. A goalless extra time led to a penalty shoot-out, in which the home side progressed. All in all, it was a very enjoyable afternoon’s football and a good advert for the county’s premier cup competition.
Another club to endure a tough month in the league were Thetford Town. The Brecklanders lost all three league games to slip down the table, but they have found joy in the competitions. A creditable 4-1 Senior Cup win over last season’s semi finalists Harleston Town was followed by a replay win over Debenham LC in the FA Vase, and they capped their good cup form with an emphatic 3-0 League Cup success over Norwich CBS.
Wroxham are the highest placed Norfolk side in the division, and they are maintaining a spot in and around 6th place, as the rebuilding process by Parke & Potter continues. They added the afore mentioned Deeks, and Sam Pledger from Dereham Town to their ranks and both made their first bows in the Friday night game under The Wellesley lights.
The game against Great Yarmouth Town was a tale of two halves, as The Bloaters ran riot to lead 3-0 at the break, but a stirring response from The Yachtsmen saw goals from Gilfedder and Pledger, on his debut, ensure a nervy last five minutes for The Bloaters, but they held on for the three points.
Potter and Parke’s men then went goal crazy, scoring 18 times in four wins, one of which saw them gain revenge over Norwich CBS for the FA Vase exit. The two new signings have also proven their worth, grabbing ten goals between them. A heavy 5-1 defeat to Saffron Walden followed, but they finished the month beating Diss Town in the League Cup.
But for a last day of the month defeat to Stowmarket Town, Great Yarmouth Town would’ve gone through the month unbeaten. The aforementioned defeat of Wroxham, was followed by an extra time Senior Cup win over a plucky Aylsham side, both by 3-2. Consecutive draws with Kirkley & Pakefield, FC Clacton and Long Melford preceded the Stowmarket defeat, but having watched the Wroxham game, The Bloaters look sure to move up the table very soon.
Eastern Counties Division One
It’s been a good month for our clubs in Division One of the ECL.
The journey that new-boys Norwich CBS have undertaken has been very enjoyable to watch and they have developed a special affection for the FA Vase. In their first season in the competition, they continue to enjoy success and achieved a 1-0 win over Oxhey Jets, courtesy of a Matty Doyle strike.
Their league form has been none too shabby either with four straight wins over Wisbech St.Mary twice (who they will soon meet again in the FA Vase 2nd Round), Diss Town and Norwich United Reserves.
It hasn’t been all rosy during the month though, as the side have experienced defeats in the Norfolk Senior Cup and ECL Challenge Cup to fellow Norfolk teams Wroxham and Thetford Town.
Downham Town are another side sure to be pleased with their October efforts. Having picked up only six points during August and September, they have accrued seven points from their three league games. To reinforce this improvement in form, they have defeated neighbours Swaffham Town in both the Norfolk Senior Cup (5-4 on pens after a thrilling 4-4 draw) and ECL Challenge Cup (2-0). The only low point has been the defeat to Wisbech St.Mary in the ECL Knockout Cup.
Despite having fallen to Downham Town in two competitions and to Debenham LC in a third, Swaffham Town have again gone well in their league programme throughout the month. A draw in early October with March Town Utd was followed by four consecutive victories (over Team Bury, Braintree Town, Diss Town and Whitton Utd) that have propelled the side into the top six.
Also riding high in the division are Kings Lynn Reserves. A 3-0 defeat to undefeated Woodbridge Town was soon forgotten about as they returned from Holland FC with three points, before annihilating their counterparts from Leiston 8-1. They also defeated Premier Division Fakenham Town on penalties in the ECL Challenge Cup, but did suffer a loss to March Town Utd by a solitary goal in the ECL Knockout Cup.
The other sides in the division, Diss Town and Norwich Utd Reserves, were not so successful as both sides accrued only four points from the month. The Planters’ second string did manage to beat The Tangerines 4-1 in the ECL Knockout Cup, whilst Diss Town did enjoy some Cup success of their own, beating Caister in the Norfolk Senior Cup.
Anglian Combination
There has been no change at the head of the Premier Division, with both Harleston Town and Norwich CEYMS remaining undefeated. Just below them sit Mulbarton Wanderers, who impressed me greatly during their Senior Cup win over Gorleston, where the wicked crossing ability of Player-Manager Self was instrumental in their progression. Three straight league wins has also propelled Long Stratton up the table.
Lower down the table, I took in the A47 derby as Blofield Utd claimed the bragging rights over Acle Utd with a 2-1 win in front of a healthy gathering of spectators. Meanwhile, a pointless month for Reepham Town ensures they still prop up the standings
Sheringham continue to lead Division One, but have Wymondham Town (who have won the October Senior Team of the Month), Mundford and UEA snapping at their heels. Hoveton Wherrymen have benefitted from the implosion at Greens Road, snaring two players from North Walsham Town, and have collected 7pts from their three games. However, they suffered from serious player unavailability at the end of the month and were forced to call-off their Mummery Cup tie with Blofield Utd due to this. At the foot of the table, Cromer Town are still pointless, whilst Loddon Utd continue to struggle for points and players.
The league has eight representatives (six of those ply their trade in Division 1) still in the Norfolk Senior Cup. One of which, Attleborough Town, pulled out the plum tie of a visit to Kings Lynn Town in the next round. Due to the dynamics of the draw, the league is only guaranteed one side to progress further with Mulbarton Wanderers v Wymondham Town being the only all Anglian Combination tie.
The Mummery Cup has reached the quarter final stage, with big hitters Harleston Town & Norwich CEYMS, and current holders Mulbarton Wanderers still involved, as well as the in-form Long Stratton.
Easton lead the way in Division Two and remain unbeaten. Holt Utd, Fakenham Town Reserves and Martham are amongst the chasing pack. In Division Three, Gorleston lead the way from Buxton, who still have Will Abbs plundering goals left, right and centre.
In the Cyril Ballyn Cup, we have reached the semi final stage. Gorleston won the battle of the Division Three big guns, beating Buxton 2-0 and they now face Brandon Town. The other semi final sees Poringland Wanderers and Fakenham Town Reserves pit their wits against each other, following wins over Sprowston Athletic and Holt Utd respectively.
Heacham continue to lead the way in Division Four, closely followed by the Reserve sides of Great Yarmouth Town and Bradenham Wanderers. Mulbarton Wanderers Reserves also had a good month and, with games in hand, have their eye on an assault at the top three. At the bottom, North Walsham Town Reserves sit last with no points to their name and trail Reepham Town Reserves by a solitary point.
In the regional sections of Division Five, Castle Acre Swifts still have a 100% record in the North, and lead the way from unbeaten Hellesdon Reserves and Dussindale Rovers. Wells Town Reserves are the only team without a win to their name. A whole number of teams are in contention in the South, but AC Mill Lane lead the way. And it goes from bad to worse for Newton Flotman. They remain pointless and suffered the fate of conceding 42 goals during their three October fixtures.
In the CS Morley Cup, the last 16 saw wins for UEA Reserves, Bradenham Wanderers Reserves, Mulbarton Wanderers Reserves, Easton Reserves, Heacham, Dussindale Rovers and Attleborough Town Reserves. Gayton Town Reserves lost out to Suffolk side Beccles Town Reserves.
The Junior Cup 2nd Round took place early in the month. The top games saw East Harling come away from Holt Utd with a 3-1 win and Gorleston Reserves prevail at Martham, whilst struggling Reepham Town Reserves upset the formbook by beating Division Five South leaders AC Mill Lane. Other results of note saw Sprowston Athletic claim a place in the 3rd Round at the expense of Hingham Athletic, and Castle Acre Swifts win at Division Four Wymondham Town Reserves.
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