Acle United were beaten 2-1 at local rivals Blofield United on Saturday to leave them stranded at the foot of the Anglian Combination Premier Division table.

Acle were blighted by both injuries and unavailability, with seven first team players not in the squad.

Despite this the visitors began confidently and had the lions’ share of possession, forcing a free-kick which the Beavers defended well, before setting up a counter-attack on the break.

With three on three at the back a through ball was played into the path of an onrushing striker and although the move looked offside, the linesman failed to flag as the home side went one up.

Worse was to follow when the towering midfield player for Blofield used his height to be first to the ball in the box, as Foreman was second to the cross.

The ball went in and the Beavers were two up thanks to goals from Rob Fryers and Dan Stobbart in front of another good-sized derby crowd.

Peacock was looking busy up front for the visitors but Blofield looked more dangerous on the break.

However with half-time approaching Acle got back into the game when Tom Clark nodded home at the far post with the referee looking at his watch.

The second half saw the A’s up their game but despite dominating the park they were unable to create many chances as frustration set in.

Both teams were perhaps deserving of a point, although Blofield had the edge in the final third, as the A’s were left to reflect on those missing players.

Acle United: S Foreman, B Guyton, S Garner, T Clark, A Collins-Reed, J Marlin, J Crane, R Forder, H Tooley, S Waite, S Peacock. Subs all used: B Howes, C Dewek, J Land.

This Saturday, Acle take a break from league action and are on Norfolk Senior Cup duty, with in-form Division One outfit Wymondham Town visiting Bridewell Lane with a 1.30pm kick-off.

Acle United Reserves were knocked out of the Norfolk Junior Cup on Saturday after losing a penalty shootout 8-7, the score against visitors Mundford Reserves being level at 4-4 after extra-time. Michael Copeland and Matthew Marshall both scored twice for Acle.

This Saturday, the Reserves are without a game.