United Downed By Town

The A's lost a number of first team players to a wedding and Coleto -Colo had to withdraw from the warm up but it was the concession of two penalties and other defensive mistakes that cost United dear.

Acle started the brighter as manager Challen gave both Everett and Snelling their first team debuts. Early on Luke Thacker was looking dangerous for the visitors and crashed a couple of efforts just wide of the post.

Referee Nunn booked Barnes but the free kick slipped through the gloves of the keeper to give Boyd the simplest of tap-ins. Forder shot agonisingly wide but then the champagne moment of the game when the impressive Jimmy Everett somehow managed to clear the ball in mid-air while sprinting back a yard from his goal line.

Bailey was causing problems down the left and Scott did well to tip his shot over the bar. Everett played a delightful one two down the flank but his powerful shot was deflected for a corner. Barnes was putting in a real shift in midfield but United had to turn around a goal down although having had the better of the first half.

After the restart the dangerous Bailey was fouled in the box and the resultant penalty put the Town 2-0 up. Diggens was showing a number of nice touches and after tricking his full back was taken out from behind as he was looking to drive into the box but strangely referee Nunn opted not to show the defender a card.

Diggens had a free kick touched over the bar before Snelling showed consummate skill to beat his marker and skim the bar. Beccles went ahead 3-0 before another penalty concession saw Howard pull his man down for a second penalty.

Efforts from Tooley, Forder, and Diggins could have reduced the deficit but with their tails up the town went nap before Diggens was pulled down in the box for Brookes to get on the scoresheet.

Acle United: J Scott, R Fisher, N McKenzie, S Brooks, J Everett, C Barnes, R Forder, J Snelling, L Thacker, G Diggens, H Tooley. Subs used: E Pereira, S Howard. Unused: J Coleto-Cano