Acle 4 Blofield 1

THE mantle of “Kings of Yarmouth Road” has again returned to the Bridewell Lane home of Acle United following a crushing defeat inflicted on the Beavers.

With a three-goal cushion at the break Acle could have been forgiven for thinking the points were in the bag but Blofield have never been a side to crumble to an easy defeat and this game was no exception to the rule, writes ROBIN TUNGATE.

Acle managers Tony Ward and Martyn Sinclair left no stone unturned with their half-time team-talk and the second period only brought more of the same attacking football from the hosts.

Having capitalised on a goalkeeping error in the 10th minute Adam Hipperson curled a delightful shot into the bottom corner and went on to be the main threat in Blofield’s side as he doubled his account for the day with his and Acle’s second after 20 minutes.

Acle hit the woodwork twice and the visitors saw a header hit the right-angle all before the match was 15 minutes old.

After 25 five minutes the hosts had taken a three-goal advantage when the irrepressible Harry Maddison finished off a fine flowing move that saw the best of Acle’s attacking game on display with captain Luke Goreham pulling the strings with Hipperson and and his striking partner Thompson alive to every half-chance and linking up well with Daniel Foreman when he made several good forays into the Blofield half.

The second half saw the visitors score a consolation goal before Nathan Thompson finished the job off with a fine volley from a right-wing cross that gave Hemmings in Blofield’s goal no chance.

But despite the comprehensive nature of the 4-1 success all talk of a maiden Anglian Combination top flight title success is banned.

In fact players heard discussing the subject face being hit in the pocket by skipper Luke Goreham who administers the fines system to bolster the end of season knees-up kitty.

But with one defeat in their opening 12 league and cup games, there’s no doubt that the foundations have been laid for what could be a vintage season for the Bridewell Lane outfit.

Currently placed 6th in the Premier Division table, Acle who have played two games fewer than most of the other teams have been going about their business under the radar – which suits managers Sinclair and Ward just fine. “Because we are two or three games behind in the league because of our cup games we haven’t had much of a mention – but we are quite happy with that,” said Sinclair.

While a 2-0 defeat to Kirkley and Pakefield Reserves was the only blemish on Acle’s opening dozen games, Sinclair is adamant that the best is yet to come on the pitch.

“We are happy to keep picking up results but we know we can play a lot better,” said Sinclair, who in his second season at the helm is looking to build on a 5th place finish last season when Acle were also beaten in the final of the Mummery Cup by Spixworth on penalties.

Acle have made it through to the last eight of the Mummery Cup this term, and on November 26 face one of the biggest games in their history when King’s Lynn are the visitors for a Norfolk Senior Cup tie, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.