Needham close in on league leaders after sixth straight win

Needham Market moved to within three points of Ryman League Division One North leaders Harlow Town after cruising to an emphatic 4-1 success over Barkingside.

The Marketmen, who hold three games in hand over the table-toppers, will now be aiming to seal a seventh successive win and close the gap further when they face Dereham Town tomorrow (7.45pm).

Another team in great form, Walsham-le-Willows, secured a fourth successive win in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division after beating Thetford Town 2-1.

Mildenhall Town suffered a second defeat in a row as they fell to a 1-0 loss to Stanway Rovers, while in the First Division, Stowmarket were beaten heavily, losing 8-2 to Swaffham Town and Team Bury alos duffered disappointment losing 3-1 at Dereham Town Reserves.

Meanwhile, Norwich City saw their play-off hopes dented in the Sky Bet Championship as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat to promotion rivals Brentford.

Peleterio Ramallo put the Bees ahead in the 21st minute, only for Nathan Redmond to level for City just six minutes later. However, the visitors were not to be denied as Alex Pritchard converted from the spot after 71 minutes to move Mark Warburtons’ side up to fourth in the table.