Free-scoring Bulldogs top division

East Harling 2, Bradenham Wanderers 5

IF ever the Dolphin Auto's Anglian Combination needed an advert for the quality of their league, this was it.

The Bulldogs will be looking for similar scoring form for this week's fixture, a top of the table clash with second-placed Mundford at Hale Road, players to meet at the club at 1pm for a 2pm kick-off.

As the weather decimated most of the local fixtures, Division Three leaders Bradenham were greeted by a near-perfect playing surface at East Harling.

The game kicked off at a frantic pace with Bradenham making one change from the previous week, Liam Brown retaining his place in the centre of midfield at the expense of the injured Dean Garrod, writes Mick Alcock.

Harling soon had the Bulldogs pushed back, attacking with pace down both flanks. Findlay made a diving save to push away a Bray effort on 10 minutes. Against a series of home corners and free-kicks around the box the defence held firm. Another home break saw Findlay again diving to push a shot around the post.

Bardenham started to question the home defence with John Allison and Marc Galer having efforts go close.

Bradenhan broke down the right on 25 minutes with Foster's pass picking out Allison just inside the box, and with one swift movement his cross-shot was met at the far post by Ricky Forder, who stabbed home.

In Bradenham's next attack Brown saw his effort just miss. Harling got back on level terms five minutes before half-time when a left-wing cross was headed home at the far post.

Harling took the lead within five minutes of the restart when the visitors gave the ball away. It was quickly switched from one side of the pitch to the other and an inrushing midfield player made no mistake with a fine finish.

Bradenham exerted a spell of pressure and on the hour were level when Harling tried to play the ball across their back line. Foster seized onto a stray pass, accelerated into the box and finished with an excellent shot.

It was all Bradenham and Forder found space and again finished a move in fine style from the edge of the box.

Referee Vince Roper was also playing his part by letting the game flow whenever possible in the difficult conditions and had an excellent game, keeping control without the use of his notebook.

Harling continued to attack but Eves and Melton at the centre of the Bulldogs' defence were in no mood to allow the lead to slip.

In the last quarter Tufts played in Gizzy King down the left, whose run took him into the danger zone. A superb pass set up Forder to crash home his second and the team's fourth.

More home pressure again called Findlay into action and another flying save kept the lead intact. The resulting corner came to nothing but from Findlay's throw, Rob Thurley made ground down the right and picked out Marc Galer who threaded the ball through for Brown to crash home.