In all truth the scoreline did not reflect the contribution United made, in another match where the A's were clearly the best team in the first half, but were second best after the break.
Manager Challen had to cope with the absence of Carus and twin strikers Thacker and Smith, but surely no one could have imagined United crashing the ball against the post on five first half occasions !
Add to that a goal scored by Tooley ruled out for an infringement in the box, and United could have scored 6 goals in their first half dominance.
But on 35 minutes an unusual slip up by Daniel Foreman helped the home side to get their noses in front, a situation they built on after the break.
United welcomed back Ollie Savage for the game and his contribution gave the A's another dimension down the left hand side.
The Shannocks quickly built on their first half advantage with three further goals before that man Savage scored a wonder goal to reduce the deficit.
Unable to recover from what may and should have been in the first half, United chased the game and conceded 3 more goals and you've guessed it, hit the post for the sixth time in the game!
Manager Challen was inconsolable as a result of his team's missed chances but if the A's can compete for 90 minutes and cut out some of the defensive errors and with both strikers soon to return United could get back on track soon and climb the table.
Acle United: S Foreman, S Howard, D Foreman, P Kelf, S Brooks, R Forder, A Smith, J Coleto-Cano, H Tooley, G Diggens, O Savage. Subs used: R Wiley, T Kutsariya. Unused: K Challen.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
10. | Wroxham Res | 22 | 26 |
11. | Blofield United | 21 | 26 |
12. | Bradenham Wands | 22 | 25 |
13. | Acle United | 21 | 21 |
14. | Hellesdon | 21 | 21 |
15. | St Andrews | 21 | 12 |
16. | Norwich United U21 | 22 | 8 |