Acle United disappoint

Sheringham 2, Acle United 0

United disappointed their followers by going down at a very windy Shannocks home ground.

Acle are now second on goal difference to Beccles at the top of the Anglian Combination Premier Division.

The hosts were buoyant after knocking out a Ridgeons League outfit from the Norfolk Senior Cup and this showed in their application and willingness to fight for every ball. And this attitude, although expected by Acle's manager Tony Ward, certainly made for a better game for the supporters to watch.

Acle arrived with a badly depleted side due to weddings and suspensions and had to play young Ryan Hemmings in goal. He gave a very creditable performance, making several fine saves, but he could do little to prevent the two late goals when he was left exposed by his defence.

They were going for all three points, and with substitutes just having gone on, were caught cold and found it difficult to gauge the speed of the game.

Defending champions Sheringham's so-called bad start to the season was quickly erased and they proved they were worthy of a much higher league position than 14th as they played their part in making it an excellent game for neutrals to watch.

Half-time came with the score sheet blank, and it seemed the second period would follow a similar pattern until Billy Edwards exposed the Acle defence. He drew Hemmings off his line and executed a clinical finish that gave United's young keeper no earthly chance of preventing Sheringham taking the lead with only six minutes left.

Acle surged forward in an attempt to retrieve this situation but left the back door open for Edwards to repeat the first goal.

Acle played some neat football but were caught out by giving the ball away too often, despite competing equally with their hosts until the last seven minutes.

On another day an excellent drive from 25 yards by Holdsworth, plus a clever 40-yard flighted lob by Thompson, would have brought a better reward.

Tomorrow, Acle entertain Wroxham Reserves.