“WE'RE all in it together - we win together - we lose together!” Paul Tong's pre-match team talk did the trick on Saturday as the team responded with their best performance for weeks, a home 3-1 win over Ipswich Wanderers, writes Gerry Brown.

“WE'RE all in it together - we win together - we lose together!” Paul Tong's

pre-match team talk did the trick on Saturday as the team responded with their best performance for weeks, a home 3-1 win over Ipswich Wanderers, writes Gerry Brown.

“I told them to think about where team matters stood this time last year,” said Tong: “I asked them to consider what was happening at the club now. Yes, we've all been disappointed with one or two things that have happened, but the club and its teams are now in a better position than they were a year ago.

“Of course, we all make mistakes but together we talk about the problems, share them with each other and air our views honestly. That way we make progress.

“The Acle (Norfolk Senior Cup) result was disappointing, of course, but you have to take that sort of thing on the chin and just get on with it. All good luck to them against Wroxham in the next round. You're going to get ups and downs but it's how you deal with them that's important.

“The foundations are good, we have a club with players coming through all teams who play for and support each other, and you can see the benefits - all three teams are challenging for honours.”

Tomorrow's visit to Newmarket Town (kick-off 3pm) is the Bloaters' biggest league test so far, with the relegated Jockeys pushing for immediate promotion back to the Ridgeons Premier.

Yarmouth will have to face this test minus Gareth Palmer and Adey Ager, both suspended, with Alan Darby and Elliot Pride both fighting to get fit.

But on the plus side, Adam Sewell and Johnny Watt are due back.

The meeting will be Yarmouth's first with Newmarket since their own relegation season when the teams drew 3-3 at Cricket Field

Road with Scott Woodcock amongst the scorers.

Tong was guarded when asked

how he saw the coming game:

“It depends on which team turns up,” he quipped, referring to inconsistencies in the Bloaters' performances.

The top-of-the-table Reserves surprisingly dropped two points

at back-markers Sprowston Wanderers.

The young Bloaters took a 3-0 lead soon after the break but then conceded three late goals which saw them drop to second place after Reepham's 1-0 win.

Yarmouth's scorers were Darren Patterson, Damon Wise and Ben Lawrence.

Tomorrow the Reserves are at home to West Lynn SSC (kick-off 2pm) with whom they drew 3-3 in September.

Yarmouth U18s also face their biggest test so far when they come face to face with current leaders North Walsham Town for the first time this season.

In the East Division table, Yarmouth are just behind Walsham who have played two games more. Before this week's games, both teams had 100 per cent records in league and cup. The crunch game is at North Walsham next Thursday with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Great Yarmouth Town Youth 3, Lowestoft Town Youth 0

THIS was the first game of a league and cup double header between the Bloaters and Lowestoft.

The game was played at a good tempo and although chances were at a premium the Trawler Boys edged the first-half possession.

The Bloaters came out in the second half with a clear message ringing in their ears that a vast improvement was needed and it was in the 46th minute that Jake Reed quickly fired the Bloaters in front.

A great Sam Watts cross deep into the Lowestoft box was headed against the bar by Kieran Bartley, only for the ball to fall at the feet of the clinical Reed who cracked a volley into the bottom corner.

Sixteen minutes later Reed added his second, slotting the ball past the keeper after good work by Richard Brett and Dominic Smith.

With five minutes to go Lee Roscoe got Yarmouth's third.

Joint manager Ian Griffin said: “We got the three points eventually and in the end it was deserved, although Lowestoft made it extremely difficult for us first half.

“The first goal was always going to be important and after Jake put us in front right at the start of the second half there was only going to be one winner. It was good to see the boys taking on board the half-time instructions.”

Yarmouth Town Youth: Tom Brice, Carl Hatton, Tom Gardiner (capt), Sam Watts, Jo Bell, Marcus Godbold, Lee Roscoe, Dominic Smith, Charlie McAra, Jake Reed, Richard Brett. Subs: Kieran Bartley (Hatton 32), Declan Harvey (McAra 76), Ross Catchpole (Smith 74). Subs not used: Simeon Lee and Joaquim Sisse. Attendance: 40.