Acle Reserves were on the road as they made the short trip to table-toppers, Hoveton Wherrymen where they were beaten 2-0.

The hosts went into the game with an impressive six-game winning streak.

It didn’t get easier for Acle as five minutes into the game, keeper Purton-Turner was carried off with a broken arm. This was after he collided with the Hoveton striker. Credit goes to the Hoveton players and management who were patient whilst he received treatment and the subsequent change was made.

Before the game restarted several minutes later, Matt Marshall was the man to remove his jersey and replace it with Hoveton’s spare keeper top. In doing so, he treated the crowd to his bright blue Superman vest. Whilst some were surprised to see the iconic image, what followed explained all.

Despite the setback, the tempo of the game was still very quick. Hoveton were creating the clearer chances, but Acle were still asking questions by forcing a number of corners.

The best chance of the half fell to the Hoveton striker, who at the far post, headed the ball back across the goal. With the ball heading for the bottom far corner, the striker was about to celebrate but he underestimated the stand-in keeper who clawed it over the bar.

A few minutes later, Marshall was once again to the rescue. After spilling a shot, he was quick to react and very bravely jumped on the ball before the oncoming striker.

Five minutes before the break, Acle were dealt a blow when a half-chance deflected off centre-back, Collins-Reed, and wrong-footed his keeper.

The second half was very much the same. Hoveton created the chances, but Acle’s defence soaked up the pressure well. With 15 minutes to go, Hoveton scored to make it 2-0. This time Acle had only themselves to blame, giving away a needless free kick in a dangerous position. The resulting cross was met at the far post by ex-Dereham striker, Alex Fitzgerald. He made no mistake in securing all three points.

Acle Res: Purton-Turner, Colk, Lay, Copeland, Collins-Reed, Marshall, McCormick, Robinson, Saka, Carpenter, Tooley. Subs: Eadie, Hawkins.

The Reserves welcome sixth-placed Wells to Bridewell Lane tomorrow at 2.30pm.