Loddon 3, Mattishall 1

MATTISHALL were forced to make changes with Lewis, Gillies and Catchpole unavailable, although they welcomed back Knights who had re-signed for the club during the week. Loddon, in the bottom four, ran out comfortable winners against a Mattishall side now fourth in the Anglian Combination Premier Division.

Mattishall forced an early corner and Taunton's delivery saw a Knights header clutched under the bar by Stebbings in the home goal.

Loddon took an early lead when, a free-kick went through a ruck of players to the far post and Parkin was on hand to score with ease.

Mattishall tried to respond and a ball from deep saw Knights trying to create an opening – but his final effort was blocked.

At the other end, a fine run by Anderson took him to the byline and his cross ended with Pledger making a fine block before the second effort was tipped round the post for a corner.

Mattishall replied with a Knights cross that was blazed over by Fulcher. Next it was the turn of Marjoribanks for Loddon, who had a snap-shot that just squirmed past a post.

Another Knights shot was deflected for a corner before Loddon increased their lead just before the break. Sutherland's failure to clear ended with the ball threaded to Summons who coolly slotted past a helpless Pledger.

Minutes after the break Loddon took an unassailable 3-0 lead when a corner kick from Summons ended in the back of the net.

Tipple replaced Stenner as Mattishall threw caution to the wind and a good ball by Marczewski was controlled by Fulcher before he fired wide.

A better move saw Taunton's excellent delivery just fail to find one of the front two, but Loddon looked the more likely to score. The ball was spilled by Pledger but he made amends with a smothering save from the follow-up.

Mattishall old boy Hall made an appearance for Loddon and a better first touch would have given him a scoring chance. The other substitute Riches, had a speculative cross bounce on the top of the bar, with keeper Pledger floundering.

Just as it looked likely that Mattishall would draw a blank, a Tipple corner was headed against his own post by a defender and Palmer knocked in the rebound.

Mattishall continued to press but holes appeared as they played only two at the back. A through-ball found Marjoribanks and his shot was well saved by the over-worked Pledger.

At the other end, Knights had a shot spilled by the keeper and cleared for a corner, and in the dying minutes another Marjoribanks run laid in Hall whose shot was well saved by Pledger.

Mattishall Reserves travelled to South Walsham and lost 2-1, Dougall the scorer.

On Saturday, Mattishall entertain Acle, 2.30pm kick-off, while the Reserves travel to Bungay.