SATURDAY FOOTBALL By STEVE GREEN SENIOR DIVISION B SOHAM United are still in the drop-zone after failing to get the three points they needed at the expense of already-relegated JM Sports. They had exceeded all expectations in midweek by holding Outwell S

SATURDAY FOOTBALL

By STEVE GREEN

SENIOR DIVISION B

SOHAM United are still in the drop-zone after failing to get the three points they needed at the expense of already-relegated JM Sports.

They had exceeded all expectations in midweek by holding Outwell Swifts to a 3-3 draw with goals from Ally Mohammed and substitute Steve Dalby (2), but then suffered an inexplicable 4-3 defeat on Saturday.

"They (JM Sports) made us look silly for 45 minutes," said manager Andy Parker after his side's odd-goal defeat.

Jim Brown, David Holmes and Mohammed hit back after United trailed 4-0 at one point in the second half, but they were unable to retrieve the deficit.

PREMIER DIVISION

FORDHAM'S late-season surge continued with successive away victories at Littleport Town and Wickhambrook.

'Port were missing key players for the midweek clash with their local rivals, and although young Luke Butcher impressed for the hosts it was Fordham who emerged victorious with goals from Sam James, Jose Monteiro and Daren Pryke.

Fordham secretary John Pryke described his side's 3-0 win as "a pretty good, solid performance", but Littleport were perhaps unfortunate not to score themselves.

Fordham had several players unavailable for Saturday's trip to Wickhambrook, but still came out on the right side of a 3-2 scoreline.

Sam James set up John Sands to score the opener inside four minutes, and he then scored with a sensational 30-yard lob to make it 2-1 in the second half.

Wickhambrook left themselves exposed at the back as they went in search of a second equaliser, and Sands made it 3-1 before the hosts pulled another goal back in the closing minutes.

"The lads that came in for us did themselves proud," said the Fordham secretary.

Littleport meanwhile returned to winning ways thanks to a Nigel Smith hat-trick at Great Paxton.

Boss Cullum described it as "a scrappy old game," but an own goal put 'Port on the path to victory and they eventually won 4-1 despite a penalty miss by Sean Ambrose.

SENIOR DIVISION A

ELY City Reserves preserved their one-point lead at the top of the table with a 2-1 home victory against Fulbourn Institute, but third-placed Soham Town Rangers Reserves could still join them in the top flight next season.

They are currently well adrift of second-placed Hundon, but that team has apparently been fielding a contract player this season and could lose points as a result.

A Kevin Brazier goal earned Soham a 1-0 victory at Girton United in midweek, but Steve Bye's team had Zac Collins sent off in Saturday's 2-1 loss at Brampton.

Brett Claydon's free-kick made it 1-1 during a first half dominated by Rangers.

DIVISION 1B

LITTLEPORT Town Reserves need just one win from their last three games after coming from two goals down to beat March Town United Reserves.

'Port were awful in the first half, but still recovered to lead at the break and eventually ran out 6-3 winners.

The goals were shared between Nathan Bennett, Luke Butcher, Paul Starling, Mark Talbot, Jason Walker and substitute Sam Warner.

DIVISION 2B

ISLEHAM United are relegated after going down 3-0 and 9-0 to Sutton United and Needingworth United respectively, but Ely City A are still in contention at the other end of the table after successive home wins.

They trailed 3-1 at home to Bluntisham Rangers Reserves in midweek, but reduced the deficit to a single goal through Rob Parker and then saw the visitors reduced to 10 men by a sending off.

Tom Hoppitt tied the scores at

3-3, and Steve Pollard claimed the winner with a late penalty kick.

Matt Brodie helped himself to a hat-trick in Saturday's win over Hemingfords United Reserves, and he was joined on the scoresheet by Rob Parker in a 5-2 win.

Wayne Newman, Craig Faux and Kevin Bedingfield were the players on target in Sutton's 3-0 win at Isleham, but United crashed 4-1 at home to Wisbech St Mary on Thursday, despite taking the lead through Sean Bristow.

Witchford '96 also lost at home, going down by the odd goal in five at home to Over Sports Reserves.

DIVISION 3B

PYMOOR are still on course for the title after winning two local derbies last week.

Greg Saberton (2, 1 pen) earned the 3B leaders a 2-1 win at Little Downham Swifts, and in midweek a Tom Higgs hat-trick was the cornerstone of their 5-1 victory against Soham United Reserves.

Sean Butcher was also on target in that win, but a Trevor Berry half-volley was the pick of Pymoor's five goals.

Downham had beaten Brampton Reserves 4-1 in midweek, and Soham United Reserves faced the same opponents on Saturday, drawing 1-1.

Fordham Reserves, meanwhile, led twice at home to promotion-chasing The Vine in midweek, but eventually went down 4-2.

Fordham then surrendered a two-goal lead in the home clash with Dullingham - a match in which four penalties were awarded.

Ian Butterworth scored one and missed one, while the visitors converted both of theirs in a 6-4 win. Scott Blaber and Duncan Precious were the other players on the scoresheet for Fordham.

DIVISION 4B

MEPAL Sports won their top-of-the-table clash with March Rangers 2-0 to consolidate their position as title favourites, but were thankful to goalkeeper Jason Rayner who produced a string of fine saves.

Mepal improved markedly after the break, and substitute Luke Wilson converted a Chris Silvain cross to break the deadlock before adding a decisive second goal.

Haddenham Rovers Reserves made it 11 wins in a row as Philip Harle, Adel Helmy, Alexander Pedley and Jamie Thompson outscored Willingham Reserves 4-3, but their winning streak came to an end on Saturday as they were held by Burwell Swifts.

Ollie Williams, Tom Thatcher - with an exquisite 30-yard volley on the turn - and Williams again gave Burwell the lead on three occasions, but Rovers earned a 3-3 draw through Robert Baxter, Philip Harle and Jamie Thompson.

Ely Crusaders could still gatecrash the promotion party after five-goal margins saw them win against Burwell and Earith United.

Phil Shepherd (3), Jim Rolph and Amir Rezazadeh struck in the 5-0 success against Burwell, and there were further goals for Shepherd and Rolph in the 6-1 win at Earith United on Saturday. Leigh Williams grabbed a brace in that game, and Wes Reid was also on target with a great 30-yard free-kick.

Lee Read salvaged a 1-1 draw for Sutton United Reserves after they had trailed to a penalty at home against Barton Mills Reserves.

DIVISION 5B

A BIZARRE own goal by the goalkeeper helped Wicken Amateurs to a 2-0 victory at The Vine Reserves on Saturday.

Craig Rogerson's 38th-minute goal was all that separated the teams with 10 minutes remaining, but the home goalkeeper then scooped the ball into his own net from 20 yards when attempting to clear his lines.

Wicken had lost by the odd goal in five at home to Lode Reserves in midweek. Graham Hickmott opened the scoring, but the host trailed 3-1 before Jamie Palmer stabbed home from 10 yards.

Little Downham Swifts Reserves lost twice at home - 6-1 to Walsoken United and then 7-2 at home to Fenstanton Reserves - but there were home wins for Burwell Swifts Reserves (Coldham United 2-1) and Isleham United Reserves (Cottenham United B 4-2).