Mattishall 0, Acle United 1

MATTISHALL welcomed an in-form Acle side and for the second week running created very little in scoring opportunities. Their season is fast turning into a mid-table, nothing-to-play-for scenario. It left Mattishall fifth in the Anglian Combination Premier Division.

An unfamiliar team saw several players playing in different positions on a drying pitch that made control very important.

Acle started the brightest and Pledger was called into early action when he made a fine blocked save following a corner kick.

The game was mainly played in midfield and most of the home attacks ended in Sommerfield, playing in an unfamiliar centre-forward position, being caught off-side.

Acle's Foreman was using his long throw to good effect as Acle continued with their aerial bombardment, but the home rearguard were defending in numbers. Chances were at a premium with Acle looking the more likely to break the deadlock.

On 40 minutes a deep free-kick by Pledger fell to Stenner, but he fired straight at Foreman in the Acle goal.

The second period also started with Acle in the ascendancy, and Pledger was the keeper with the most to do as he was forced into making two excellent saves and also saw two efforts clip the top of the bar.

At the other end a great run by Palmer was stopped by a late flag and the best chance of the game saw Pledger keeping Mattishall level with another stop.

On 70 minutes Acle took a deserved lead when Marczewski and Palmer failed to communicate and instead of being cleared the ball went out for a corner from which Morgan scored.

Mattishall introduced both Anema and Lewis, and although the latter made a presence up front, the Acle back four looked comfortable.

Mattishall Reserves travelled to Bungay and lost 1-0 in another disappointing performance.

On Saturday, Mattishall travel to Dersingham while the Reserves host South Walsham, both 2.30pm kick-offs.