Acle United
Matches
Sat 02 Apr 2022  ·  Premier Division
Acle United FC
Acle United
1
0
Heacham
Acle End Heacham's Unbeaten League Run

Acle End Heacham's Unbeaten League Run

Web Master5 Apr 2022 - 12:58
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Acle United upset the form book handing out a first league defeat to Heacham by a goal to nil .

In a match described as the best seen at Bridewell Lane for many a year, a brilliant header from a corner by Man of the Match Craig Page won the points for the A's but not before the previously unbeaten league leaders gave the United defence a stern examination in the last 15 minutes.

Manager Coyle was without Holmes and Lewis, but opted for 5 at the back in a tactic that made life difficult for the visitors.

Heacham were the first to show, but after a cruel deflection in the Acle box the ball was hooked over the bar.

Bullent then raced into the box at the other end but despite Acle claims for a penalty, referee Nunn waved them away. Later in the afternoon the official did likewise at the other end, and his consistency and ability, led most to reflect his performance was the best seen at Bridewell Lane this season.

Heacham were playing with plenty of pace and no little skill, as they got forward in numbers.
Davies got through on goal but Barnes produced the first of numerous fantastic saves to deny the striker.

At the other end skipper Forder fed the busy Bullent, who moved the ball onto the stylish Curtis Fulcher as the ball flew up his arm to let Heacham off the hook.

A typical long throw from Dade was touched on by Bullent to Cooper who shot just wide of the post.

The teams turned round no score. The Heacham striker then galloped away to the goal but didn't count on a magnificent last ditch tackle by the irrepressible Page, who along with Cooper and Dade were like the three Musketeers at the heart of the A's defence.

Chris Greenslade showed all his experience and ability over the 90 minutes and with Dan Ryeland taking care of the other flank, United were not to be passed.

Earle and Bullent upfront were pulling defenders all over the place, none more so than when Earle outpaced his man to crash his shot towards the top corner only to see an unbelievable save in the away goal.

Then with Acle pressing and winning a corner, it was that man Page who rose to power his header home to give United the lead.

Two successive corners followed at the other end that signalled the start of a remarkable last 15 minutes. Fulcher, Forder and Kelf had worked their socks off in midfield to help Acle retain their slender lead. On came Bond and Matthew Fulcher to compliment what was a magnificent team effort. United should really have doubled their lead when the on song Bullent raced away to pull the perfect ball back to the on rushing Kelf, but the ball got stuck in his feet and he couldn't quite slide the ball home.

So to the booking of Fulcher, and 6 corners in the last ten minutes as Heacham threw everything at the Acle goal. The ball was volleyed over, and then a shot was thundered inches wide. Barnes then pulled off an unbelievable save, as the ball was flashed towards the back of the net but somehow he clawed the ball back from behind him, in the save of the season. Kelf then cleared off his line, from what looked a certain goal. A free kick to Acle saw the brilliant Cooper head inches wide at the other end, and two more corners with the Heacham keeper up with his attack saw another goal line clearance.

Referee Nunn brought matters to a close for a win celebrated by all the Acle supporters.

Manager David Coyle must take plenty of credit for his match day coaching and as for the players, they have achieved what no other team is likely to do this season, and that is lower the colours of the Champions Elect who looked the best team seen at Bridewell Lane for many a season.

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Apr 2022

Kickoff

14:30

Competition

Premier Division

League position

1
Heacham
8
Acle United
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Programme Sponsor - Norfolk Ceilings & Interiors Ltd
Programme Sponsor  - Wensum Print
AUFC Club Sponsor - Acle Social Club
Programme Advertiser - AR Insulations Ltd
Programme Advertiser - Arthur Jary & Sons Ltd
Programme Advertiser - Becks Garage
Programme Sponsor - Acle Spice
Programme Advertiser - C.A.T. Cars
Sponsor - Green Home Energy Solutions
Programme Advertiser - Hines Harvey Woods
Sponsor - Hugh Crane
Programme Advertiser - Scooters Cafe
Programme Advertiser - Our Hire Taxi
Programme Advertiser - L Vinall Motor Engineers
Programme Advertiser - NJ Hunt
Garment Printing & Embroidery - Ink n Stitch
Programme Advertiser - Woolco-UK Ltd
Programme Advertiser - Roy Wilkerson
Programme Advertiser - Thrigby Wildlife Gardens
First Team Sponsor - Olive Tree