Yaxham 3, Sporle 1

Yaxham moved above Sporle into third place in Central & South Norfolk League Division Two with an excellent victory on Saturday.

With Jason Knight and Davey Adams absent, Yaxham manager Jon Barnes called on Jason Hunt, plus the returning Charlie Gray and Stevie Garner from the reserves.

In warm conditions, Yaxham played to their strengths, knocking the ball around confidently, and backing each other up all round the pitch.

As in previous weeks, Yaxham went behind but with their new found confidence and togetherness, it was only a matter of time before chances were taken.

The equaliser came from Joe Whitty, scrambling a loose ball home after Hunt initially forced the Sporle keeper into a save from a Matt Barden corner.

Yaxham were now clearly on top, and their willingness to work for each other was epitomised by lone striker Craig Clarke, who constantly closed down play from the front.

The hosts took a deserved lead just before the break, a flighted corner from Clarke landed on the head of Whitty, to score his fifth in two games.

Yaxham produced controlled football combined with a battling attitude in the second half, with new captain Barden leading by example.

They created an early chance between Hunt and Clarke, with the latter putting the ball onto the crossbar, and his follow up shot being cleared off the line.

Barnes introduced the returning Nick Riches for Garner, to freshen things up, and he was involved almost immediately, creating a chance that went begging.

Clarke got his just reward when he rounded the keeper and capped a fine display by making the game safe for Yaxham late on.

Barnes said: 'This was another impressive display from the boys, again they showed all the quality that has been the basis for their first season together.'