NMC Division 3B Ely Crusaders bid for a third straight promotion was vanquished on Saturday as they were hammered by rivals Houghton & Wyton.

Ely Standard: Ely Crusdaers v Houghton & Wyton FC,Ely Crusdaers v Houghton & Wyton FC, (Image: Archant)

Crus started the campaign in rampant form but have stuttered since the end of January, and lost further ground on the top sides as they were beaten 5-2 at the Paradise Centre ground, on Saturday. Will Ludbrooke and Russell Mansfield scored for Ely.

Elsewhere, Soham United Reserves survived a late fight back to beat Girton United Reserves, 2-1.

Kershaw Premier League

Soham Town Rangers Reserves’ fight for survival was boosted by a 4-1 victory over high-flying Fulbourn Institute, on Saturday.

A brace from Aiden Course set the Greens on the way to victory, with Conor Diver also on target.

An own goal completed the scoring as Soham moved to within a point of the two teams above them.

Soham, who are bottom of the table, have just two games left to play this season.

Kershaw Senior A

Soham United kept themselves in the race for promotion by earning a 2-2 draw at league leaders Fowlmere.

United are six points behind the leaders, with three games left to play.

Elsewhere, Ely City Reserves lost 3-2 at the Unwin Ground to Royston Town A. Danny Gibbs and David Wilson were on target for Ely.

NMC Division 1B

A hat-trick from Jon Bartlett put Littleport Town on course for a 7-1 victory at Milton Reserves at the weekend.

Bartlett took his tally for the season to 15, while Richie Murfitt, with a brace, Callum Butcher and Jack Butler were also on target for Port.

League leaders Burwell Swifts showed no signs of faltering, though, as they cantered to a 5-0 win over Chatteris Town Reserves.

In-form Josef De Pfeiffer scored a hat-trick and there were goals for Richard Chadwick and Tom Williams.

NMC Division 2B

It was a disappointing afternoon for Little Downham Swifts as they were thrashed by Alconbury.

Edward Hale, with his sixth of the season, was the one bright point for Swifts as he registered for the hosts in a 5-1 defeat.

NMC Division 4B

It was super week for Littleport Town Reserves as they won twice in three days to move to within a point of the league leaders.

Last Wednesday, Port overcame leaders Lakenheath Casuals 3-1 at the leisure centre ground, courtesy of a brace from Jordan Lee and a third goal from Joe Murfitt.

They followed it up on Saturday with a crushing 5-1 win over Outwell Swifts Reserves.

Scott Fuller hit a brace and there were goals also for Chris Slatter, Liam Woollard and Mark Yardy.

NMC Division 5B

Witchford 96 Reserves surged up the league courtesy of two wins inside a week.

96 fought hard last Tuesday to overcome a stubborn Swavesey Institute Reserves side, with Tom Skillbeck on target in a 1-0 win.

They followed it up on Saturday with a 3-2 win at Chatteris Fen Tigers Reserves.

Back-to-back wins saw 96 move up into fifth place in the league, with a slim chance of winning the league still open.