Playing their first home game at their new home ground, Acle United Ladies overcame AFC Sudbury 5-2 on Sunday.

Early pressure from Acle paid off when Larkins fed Burton whose ball split the Sudbury defence wide on the right for Todd to use her pace to cross for Bullard to convert.

Despite going a goal down, Sudbury fought back and equalised four minutes later. A cross from the left wing was not cleared and Teager was able to slot the ball home.

Acle doubled their lead in the 35th minute. Todd and Larkins combined to steal possession from Sudbury and Larkins outpaced the away defence before sending a looping shot into the top corner. Five minutes later the hosts increased their advantage. A delightful through ball by Burton split the Sudbury defence for Todd to slot home past the keeper.

Sudbury had the better of the early stages after the break, but the Acle back four of Larkins, Shields, Pasque and Wilson were resolute in their defending, leaving Fullbrook in goal rarely troubled. Despite the visitors’ pressure, it was Acle who increased their lead in the 55th minute. Kindred sent in a low hard cross which was cleared to Burton who fired home from 10 yards to make it 4-1.

However, the visitors reduced the deficit when a corner was headed on and Etheridge was able to convert at the far post. It was almost 4-3 just minutes later but Fullbrook pushed a long shot onto the bar and gathered the rebound under pressure from the away strikers.

As the half progressed, Hooper replaced Fullbrook in the home goal and was called into action almost immediately, clearing from the edge of the area. At the other end, Bullard had a shot which was just wide of the target.

As the game entered the closing minutes a diagonal ball from Todd found Scully, who easily beat the keeper to seal the points for Acle and in injury time Sudbury were reduced to 10 players when Henderson was sent off for a comment made to the referee.

Acle United Ladies: C Fullbrook, A Larkins, E Wilson, C Shields, K Pasque, A Rowland, B Scully, C Flatt, L Bullard, R Burton, M Todd. Subs both used: K Kindred and J Hooper.

The Ladies are in Women’s FA Cup action on Sunday entertaining Thrapston Town at Great Yarmouth Town FC in the first qualifying round (2pm).