Acle United 5 Mattishall 0

Nathan Thompson hit a hat-trick as Acle warmed up for Tuesday’s Sterry Cup title must-win game at home to Cromer in style.

Acle started with all guns blazing and as early as the sixth minute it was a fine piece of opportunism by club captain Luke Goreham that enabled him to be in just the right time to force the ball into the net, writes ROBIN TUNGATE.

Hipperson showed his skill and ability when he hit a 30 yard shot that came back of the bar before Nathan Thompson put the hosts further ahead before half-time when his shot was too hot for Powley to hold and number two was on the board.

After 50 minutes Thompson scored Acle’s third of the game with a stinging drive that nestled in the corner.

With 65 minutes on the clock a Mattishall quick free kick was seized on by the speedy Acle front man Hipperson who robbed them of the ball and delivered it across the face of the area for Thompson to complete his well earned hat-trick before after 75 minutes. Harry Maddison juggled with the ball on the edge of the penalty area before slamming home number five and giving Acle a well-earned nap-hand and sets them up nicely for the biggest game of the season on Tuesday at home against Cromer with “winner takes all” proportions.

Cromer moved five points clear with a 2-0 win over bottom side Wells on Tuesday night. Tomorrow Cromer travel to Beccles. It was announced that the Acle Reserve side have been awarded the “Team of the Month” for March.