Defeat Keeps Acle With Relegation Worries

Acle United lost 3-0 at home to Mulbarton Wanderers who maintain their own push for the Sterry Cup, while pushing United even deeper into the relegation mix.

The Recreation Centre groundsman had prepared the perfect surface for the match and another good crowd came to watch the match that was equally important to both teams but for very different reasons.

Manager Taylor was missing 5 first team players and it was the Mulberries who started the brighter when Simpson turned in a left-wing cross to put them in front.

Soon afterwards Taylor was harshly adjudged to have fouled his man way out on the left and suffered the ultimate irony as he put through his own goal when trying to clear under pressure. Crane was looking busy for Acle in midfield and looked to have took up a threatening position in the opponents’ box but was pulled up for a foul.

Then followed a major incident in the game, when Malin was badly kicked by Sutcliffe and just to add injury to insult the offending player then kicked the ball from three feet directly at Malin. The Referee amazingly failed to punish the offender, preferring to caution both No5's following the fracas that ensued.

Acle were now getting into the game and a cross from Roper-Smith just needed a touch to get the A's back in the game. Then followed a cross from Wiley which saw Roper- Smith shoot inches over.

After the break Mulbarton took control of the match and fully deserved their third when Doggett shot just under the bar which Purton -Turner could well have turned over.

News from elsewhere saw Harleston win 2-0 at the Saints to maintain the status quo at the top, but with Stalham Town winning 2-1 at Blofield a desperate end to the season is guaranteed as Acle now have just one more opportunity for points when they entertain near neighbours Blofield United on Wednesday May 9th in an evening kick off.

Acle United: C Purton-Turner, C Wiley, S Garner, M Taylor, D Foreman, J Marlin, R Forder, Seumus Bobby, L Roper-Smith, L Thacker, Jordan Crane. Subs all used: Jagan Crane, H Tooley, J Betts.