Acle United 3, Dersingham Rovers 1Acle cruised into top spot in the Anglian Combination Premier Division without getting out of second gear thanks to three excellent goals - one from Ben Morgan and a brace from Nathan Thompson.

Acle United 3, Dersingham Rovers 1

Acle cruised into top spot in the Anglian Combination Premier Division without getting out of second gear thanks to three excellent goals - one from Ben Morgan and a brace from Nathan Thompson.

Against a side United have in the past found difficult to beat, and without Daniel Foreman, Bertie Melo, Jodie Harrison and Rickie Hodds, it was not an easy ride even though United oozed class in every position.

Acle's first of the game came clinically from the boot of Ben Morgan when he let fly from the edge of the penalty area, giving Dersingham keeper Daniels no chance.

United continued to play the ball around trying to create another goal-scoring chance, and after 25 minutes Morgan pulled a short corner back for Bennett to pick out the run of the diminutive Thompson. He rose majestically in the area to out-jump both tall defenders English and Pearman and send a bullet of a header into the top corner of the Rovers' net.

This appeared the signal for United to take their foot off the pedal and think the game was won. The visitors were not to be taken for granted and they pulled a goal back when, after a period of possession and having their fair share of play, Billy Overton was allowed just enough space to steer the ball wide of Scott Foreman's outstretched right hand.

Thompson restored Acle's two-goal advantage when a delightful through ball found their front runner speeding into the penalty area to draw Daniels from his line before planting his shot in the back of the net. The visitors were unable to recover from that killer blow.

The second half saw the hosts play “keep-ball” for long periods and apart from one tremendous 30-yarder from central defender Fruin that hit the bar with the keeper struggling to get near, the game fizzled out.

United are nicely placed on top of the league for the first time this season with the mouth-watering prospect of a Norfolk Senior Cup quarter-final tie tomorrow against high-flying Ridgeons League Premier Division outfit and cup holders Wroxham, who visit Bridewell Lane (kick-off 1.45).

Robin Tungate