Ridgeons LeagueThe top against bottom match in the First Division ended with leaders Diss winning by the only goal of the game against a Fakenham side which belied their record which now reads five straight defeats.

Ridgeons League

The top against bottom match in the First Division ended with leaders Diss winning by the only goal of the game against a Fakenham side which belied their record which now reads five straight defeats.

The Tangerines had more of the possession but the Ghosts displayed great determination and endeavour and stuck to their task impressively.

Fakenham started well and Matty Hill was forced to make a brilliant diving save to tip over a 25-yard James Bamford shot in the second minute.

Diss replied with a Jake Burton shot deflected over and on-target efforts from Burton and Ben Soanes gathered by Cameron Brown.

The only goal of the game came in the 28th minute when Jason Hunt brushed aside two defenders to win the ball and move into the penalty area before unleashing a right-foot shot past Brown. George Watts-Sturrock was wide with a glorious chance four minutes before half-time.

Watts-Sturrock hit the bar in the 66th minute with a great 25-yard shot. Two minutes later Darren West headed on target as the visitors created a rare chance. In added time Mark Shadrack hit the Fakenham bar from outside the penalty area.

In the Premier Division, Norwich United moved up to 10th with a comfortable 5-0 win at Histon Reserves, the Planters racing into a three-goal lead in the opening 22 minutes.

Lee Hunter hit home from Andrew Claydon's header and doubled his tally from Ricci Butler's through pass. Butler made it three, slotting in at the far post from Tom Jeal's long throw.

Substitute Darren Coe out-jumped everyone at the far post to head home Butler's 72nd minute corner and Claydon completed the scoring 10 minutes from time when he out-battled a defender to slot home.

Wroxham won 2-0 at home to Felixstowe & Walton United and are one place behind Norwich United on goal difference with two games in hand.

The Yachtsmen made changes, Shaun Howes has cracked ribs, Andy Key was unwell and Ollie King was suspended so Josh Carus lined up at left back with Steve Spriggs on the wing with Owen Paynter making his debut in the middle.

For the 20 minutess there was not much to choose between the two sides. Wroxham then started to push forward, Paul Cook hitting a post and Owen Paynter had a couple of good shots saved.

The Yachtsmen took the lead in the 40th minute when they were awarded a penalty when Gilmore was brought down. Paynter opened his account from the spot.

Ater an hour's play Wroxham went futher ahead when Steve Spriggs picked up a loose ball 40 yards from goal, beat two men and let fly from 30 yards.

A good team performance with the defence looking solid and Scott Howie collecting everything in the air with no bother. The Felxstowe keeper made eight excellent saves and was man of the match.

Dereham, now ninth, came from two goals down at home to Debenham LC to earn a point, although they created enough chances to have won.

The visitors took a surprise 23rd minute lead when Stuart Joplin hit the bar from distance and Ben Deacon stooped to head in the rebound. Rob Kemp then played Deacon through to slide home a second before Danny Beaumont charged down a clearance from keeper Lewis Johnson and tapped the ball into an empty net in the 43rd minute.

The Magpies pressed second half but had to wait until the 85th minute to share the spoils, David Buhlemann following up to net after the keeper had failed to hold a 20-yard free-kick from Craig Terrtington.

Kirkley & Pakefield, now eighth, bounced back with a 2-0 win over Hadleigh, but not without a few scares in the first 20 minutes in which debutant keeper Sam Thacker brought off three magnificent saves.

Soon after K&P nerves were soothed when Russell Stock notched his third goal of the campaign with a neat lob. Soon after fellow front man Nathan Stone scythed in an angled shot. Justin Fox hit the bar from a wicked free-kick and K&P, well on top, ran the clock down for an impressive victory. There were two late chances for sub Rory French

Wisbech, now sixth bottom, recorded their second league win of the season, 4-1 at home to Walsham-le-Willows, who are in the top six.

Kings Lynn Reserves suffered a 7-0 home defeat by high-flyers Needham Market. The visitors had beaten Lynn in the previous seven games between the clubs.

Lynn, who were well below full strength for reasons of injury, unavailability and suspensions, were always on the back foot, being forced by circumstances to field numerous youngsters against the experienced Suffolk side, who included ex-Football Leaguer Kevin Horlock in their line-up.

Needham opened their account after just nine minutes and had netted four by half-time. On target were Darren Bethell (2), Danny Thrower (2), Richard Butler, Matt Buckle and Horlock.

Lynn had chances and Nelson Moreira should have kept his run going by in a fourth successive game. Nick Davey, on his return from his spell with the first team, did quite well. The side are very much missing through a ligament injury their influential captain Stephen Harvey.

Back in the First Division, Gorleston slumped to a first home defeat of the season, 5-2 at the hands of an impressive Brantham Athletic.

Three second-half goals sealed a comfortable win for the visitors after the teams had gone into the interval level at 2-2.

Neil Hurren gave Gorleston a deserved lead after just seven minutes, turning a deflected shot in from close range. Athletic pressure told on 20 minutes when Harry Licence shot in off a post after a David Grimwood header was blocked.

The Greens had a strong penalty appeal denied as Hurren appeared to be bought down by keeper Ryan Bedingfield. Athletic took the lead just minutes later with Sean Gunn scoring from long range. Gorleston wide man Stephen Taylor levelled with a superb chip.The Greens crumbled in the second half, completely dominated by the Suffolk side. Lee Wilcox scored from the edge of the box before further goals from Oliver Mann and Adam Thompson. Only a number of good saves from keeper Elliot Pride prevented Gorleston suffering an even heavier defeat.

Downham drew 0-0 at home to fourth-placed Whitton.

In FA Vase first qualifying round ties, Swaffham and Yarmouth from the first division went out to sides from the higher section, Swaffham 4- 1 (Gavin Norman) at Haverhill, the Bloaters 2-1 at Woodbridge.

t Dereham Town are running a coach for supporters to Lowestoft Town for the FA Cup first qualifying round tie on Saturday.

The newly-painted club coach, adorned with DTFC livery, will leave Aldiss Park at 12.15pm with 30 seats available for supporters. If demand is sufficient there will be another coach, leaving Aldiss Park at 1.30pm. Cost is �5.

Contact: Ginny Barnes at Aldiss Park on 01362 690460.