Yarmouth Town 2 Downham 0

Yarmouth ended a year, which began with the club fighting for survival, on a high after a comfortable win over fellow Norfolk side Downham Town 2-0.

Joel Watts wrapped up the points two minutes into the second half after a first half own goal put Yarmouth in front, writes REBECCA ABBOTT.

Yarmouth got off to a positive start and could have taken the lead after just two minutes, Neil McMorran rising highest to meet Robin Andersen’s corner, but headed over.

Matt Calvert’s late challenge on McMorran should have merited the games first yellow card. Instead it came three minutes later as Simon Bird tripped Mitch Forbes.

From Andersen’s resulting free kick, chaos ensued in the Downham box. Racing back towards their own goal and under pressure from Yarmouth attackers, one of Downham’s rearguard turned the ball past their own keeper Luke Pearson.

Two minutes later Watts robbed possession off the last defender Royce Rawlings before blasting over with only Pearson to beat.

Only a last-ditch tackle from Simon Bird prevented Mitch Forbes from doubling the lead on 24 minutes after latching on to Joel Watts’ ball over the top.

On the half-hour Pearson was needed to palm away Watts’ curling effort from the edge of the box as Yarmouth looked to double the lead.

With five minutes of the half remaining Ryan Chamalambous volleyed over the bar after George Barnden headed away Sam Hanslip’s cross and in first half stoppage time Mat Dye headed Craig Dickson’s cross over the bar.

Yarmouth started the second half brightly too and it took just two minutes after the restart to double the advantage.

Joel Watts stole possession off last defender Charalambous and rounded Luke Pearson before coolly slotting home.

The front two of Watts intercepted Craig Dickson’s pass and set Mitch Forbes away on the counter-attack, running half the length of the pitch before firing over.

Downham looked for a way back into the game with six minutes remaining as Dwane Hasford poked wide from close range after fellow substitute Matt Bussons’ cross was dropped into his path.

Great Yarmouth Town: Danny Cable, Johnny Jarvis (Liam Williams 78), Robin Andersen, Joe Bryanton (C), Neil McMorran, Rorie Burnett, Joel Watts (Danny Scriven 71), George Barnden, Mitch Forbes (Tom Markham 73), Charlie McAra, Leighton Crux.

Goals: OG 17, Watts 47.

Downham Town: Luke Pearson, Nathan Cross (Daniel Haynes 84), Dale Stokes, Royce Rawlings, Ryan Charalambous, Simon Bird, Sam Hanslip (Matt Bussons 63), Craig Dickson, David Coyle, Matt Calvert (Dwane Hasford 74), Mat Dye.

Bookings: Bird 17, Charalambous 54, Hanslip 63