North Walsham 3, Acle 2ACLE visited North Walsham for a back-to-back league game with a depleted side due to call-offs and an injury list that seems to increase weekly and shows no sign of abating before the season's end.

North Walsham 3, Acle 2

ACLE visited North Walsham for a back-to-back league game with a depleted side due to

call-offs and an injury list that seems to increase weekly and shows no sign of abating before the season's end.

The visitors gave a competent display without being able to stretch their hosts' defence and pressurise the North Walsham back four. Reserve player Simon Hillburn looked comfortable on the ball without doing anything outstanding.

Manager Tony Ward found himself donning the No 3 shirt, such was the severity of the shortage situation at Bridewell Lane, and turned the clock back several years with some accomplished defending. His distribution was second to none.

The visitors' best contribution of the first half saw two chances finish narrowly the wrong side of the woodwork from distance. But it was the hosts who went ahead just three minutes before the half-time break when Landemore found ex-Acle player Rodney Drake at the far post unmarked to head the ball into the right corner of the net.

North Walsham pushed forwardand Lythgoe's long-range effort flew wide and Miller's volley finished wide and high from almost 30 yards.

Early in the second period the visitors got a life-line when Palmer and Drand wrestled to bring down United's Holmes, allowing Stephen Girling to equalise from the penalty spot.

This spurred the hosts into action and they went in front before Acle keeper Carter sent a route-one pass which saw Chris Holmes, skilfully leading the front line, still with plenty to do before again being fouled and another penalty being awarded. Substitute James Foreman clinically put it into the back of the net for a second equaliser.

Knowles fired wide before the game was settled by a thumping header from Landemore as he met Lythgoe's corner in the 86th minute.

Robin Tungate

Chris Holmes scored two goals, showing great skill leading the line, as Acle slipped to a very late defeat against Hempnall, whose scorers were Player, Browne, Sparks and Addison.

Acle Reserves defeated Morley 5-0 with goals from Yaxley, Bland, Rose and Robinson (2) and on Monday comprehensively beat Martham 2-1 with goals from Neil Read and Louis Robinson.

These two victories keep the reserves on track for promotion.