Acle kick off with a win

Loddon 0, Acle 2

Following a reasonably successful pre-season run of games, Acle's Anglian Combination Premier Division season kicked off with a vengeance.

Manager Tony Ward has assembled a good squad in the hope that the players' ambitions match his own, and that the club will be in the position come April to realise their dream of landing the elusive Sterry Cup.

In the second minute Thompson had a half-chance, but poked his effort over. Minutes later Holdsworth pulled a shot narrowly wide. Thompson put another chance over following good work by Rathbone and Ian Morgan.

Loddon's Chris Hanlock wasted an excellent opportunity, missing an open goal from a pinpoint free-kick taken by Daniel Anderson.

A good spell of Acle pressure then followed and the hosts found it difficult to get out of their half as Acle turned the screw. Daniel Foreman raced past four Loddon players before sending in a tremendous shot that whistled inches wide. After 30 minutes it was the turn of full-back Peter Nobbs to chance his luck with an excellent shot from 25 yards that crashed onto the bar and bounced agonisingly away.

On 34 minutes, a Fruin corner that curled into the danger area saw Ian Morgan out-jump the tall Loddon defenders and send a thunderous header into the far corner to put Acle ahead.

Holdsworth had another chance but saw Collins make a brilliant last-minute save.

Second half Acle continued with their attacking game and were quickly rewarded when Warren Nicholls picked the ball up and from 20 yards unleashed a venomous volley that gave home keeper Collins no chance.

Thompson saw another good header from a Nicholls corner strike the bar and bounce away for Loddon's defenders to clear.

In a game in which Ward expressed his joy at the way his side knitted together, it is difficult to pick out any star performers. But mention must be made of the Foreman brothers who dominated throughout, and Morgan, together with captain Harrison, whose contribution was excellent.