ALL the action from across the district

Local football round up

by Gareth Draper

Division 2B

SUTTON United made amends for last week’s heavy defeat as they routed bottom side, Tydd United, 6-1.

United’s Aaron Canham was the main man with a hat-trick and there were first goals of the season for both Chris Hall and Russell Mansfield, with the inevitable goal from hot shot Steve Pollard completing the scoring.

Witchford 96 made it five wins in the last five games as they overcame Wisbech St Mary Reserves by four goals to two on their own patch. Brothers Aaron and Ross Spencer were responsible for three of the goals for Witchford with Ross nothing his first of the season and hitman Aaron firing a double to take his impressive tally to 19 this season as their promotion chase gathered apace.

Kershaw Premier League

BOTH local sides in this section suffered heavy defeats against very different opposition.

Beleaguered Ely City Reserves had a daunting trip to top of the league side, Linton Granta, and though they played reasonably enough, they still left with only a 4-0 defeat to look back on.

They defended well at times and created a few chances but ultimately could not live with Granta.

Surprisingly, Littleport Town went to bottom club Eaton Socon and were hammered 5-0, one of the shocks of the day considering Port were on a run of three successive victories.

Senior A

SOHAM Town Rangers Reserves walloped bottom side Wisbech Town Reserves 6-0 at home, making it 11 goals in two matches for this in-form side who now occupy eighth position in the league.

Neighbours Soham United appear to be heading in the opposite direction though, as they let in six at home to Cambridge City Reserves to make it 11 conceded in just two games, with only a single consolation goal to show for their efforts. United will be hoping to arrest an alarming run of three successive defeats with a journey to Sawston United next week.

Division 1B

IT was a scrappy start to the game between Cottenham United Reserves and promotion hopefuls Littleport Town Reserves, as, due to blustery the conditions, the ball spent most of the time off the pitch in the first 30 minutes.

Port’s Sam Murfitt had a good couple of chances to score but couldn’t make the breakthrough, with Wayne Bostock and 17-year old debutant, Callum Walker also having opportunities.

A Cottenham defender then appeared to handle on the line from another Murfitt opportunity but the man in black did not see it. Cometh the hour cometh the man though, as veteran Dave Beeton opened his account for the season with a powerful header from a corner on 40 minutes to give Town the lead at half-time.

The second half was slow to take shape again but as soon as Richie Murfitt was able to carve open a tap in for Walker to open his account for Littleport there was only going to be one winner and this was confirmed when Andrew “Bezzer” Berry and Neil Cullum combined to set up Richie Murfitt who coolly finished from 10 yards out to give his side all three points.

Division 3B

MEPAL Sports’ experienced defender, Martin Pettitt, scored for a second successive week but it was not enough as top side Bar Hill Sports and Social ran out 3-1 winners.

This was Sports’ third league defeat in a row and they must stop the rot fast if they are to challenge for promotion again this year.

The local derby between Fordham and Little Downham Swifts ended in a comprehensive win for home side Fordham as they ran out winners by four goals to nil. Fordham have now moved menacingly into fourth place following the victory which was their second win on the bounce in the league.

Two points further ahead, and still in an impressive second position, are Stretham Hotspurs who squeezed through against Hemingfords United A at home, 2-1. Hotspurs have not been beaten for five games now and this type of form could lead to promotion if they can maintain it.

Division 4B

SOHAM United Reserves travelled to second bottom team Cottenham United A and struck an amazing nine goals without conceding any at their end. This was a much needed win for United as it moves them away from the relegation zone as they look to make points from their many games in hand. Josef Depfeiffer grabbed four of the goals on a memorable day for him and there were solitary strikes from Craig and Matthew Allen, Aaron Lee, substitute Aiden Mould and a rare goal from young defender Lee Fuller.

Wicken Amateurs had to endure their third narrow defeat on the spin as they lost at Burwell Swifts Reserves by the odd goal in seven. They currently lie eighth but with a bit more luck they could have been right in the mix for the top spots but there are still plenty of games left to rectify that.

Stuart Freeland tried his best with a double and Leon Kirk was also on the scoresheet for Amateurs but they just fell short once again.

Lower Junior Challenge Cup

HADDENHAM Rovers crashed out of this trophy with a demoralising 4-1 loss at Longstanton Reserves.

Only James Hudson’s first goal of the season was any comfort to Paul Norman’s dejected Rovers side.

Division 5C

PRICKWILLOW put last week’s defeat to bottom side Burwell to one side with an impressive 4-2 victory against mid-table Isleham United Reserves. This saw them leapfrog their opponents into a respectable sixth position in their first season at this level.

Witchford 96 Reserves have now gone six games unbeaten following their 2-1 victory at newcomers The Eagle that sees them hovering around the promotion spots in fifth place. Ali MacDonald was on target for the first time this season for Witchford and Matt Monteith struck to ensure his side took maximum points on the day.