Acle keep up pressure at top

Watton United 0, Acle United 4

ACLE kept their early-season form on the boil with a clinical performance at Watton which leaves them fourth in the chase for the Anglian Combination championship just two points behind leaders Cromer.

Saturday's scoreline could have been better for Acle had it not been for the woodwork and the excellent performance of the Watton keeper Scott Cruickshank. In the first half especially he pulled off several saves that frustrated the visitors, who displayed their usual push-and-run style which the supporters appreciated warmly and which saw Acle ahead 2-0 at the break.

Louis Holdsworth and Nathan Thompson fired the first-half goals before Ben Morgan and Ian Morgan added two more early in the second period.

Holdsworth put the visitors in front in the 20th minute with a superb curling drive after Morgan and Foreman had done the spadework in the build-up. Then it was Thompson's turn as James Foreman and Ian Morgan supplied him with a perfect pass to fire home.

In the early stages Acle had bamboozled their hosts with a series of intricate passing patterns all over the pitch. But one pass too many was intercepted by the busy Walker. He fed Woods, who should have finished in style but fluffed his effort by pulling his shot wide.

Scott Foreman was commanding his area with a confidence that belies his tender years as he played as a virtual sweeper for most of the second period.

Ben Morgan put Acle three ahead when he was sent clear following a one-two between Nobbs and Crosbie to finish with style.

In a purple patch the visitors went four up when a move involving Ben Morgan, Louis Holdsworth and Nathan Thompson allowed space for the excellent Ian Morgan to send a pile-driver past the bewildered Cruickshank who could only watch the net bulge as the rocket gave him no chance.

Tomorrow, Acle visit third-bottom Mattishall who knocked Ridgeons League side Diss out of the Norfolk Senior Cup last week.