Acle Squander Two Goal Lead

Acle United threw away a two-goal half time advantage to end up sharing the points with Beccles Town on a very cold windswept afternoon at Bridewell Lane.

The A's made good use of a strong wind at their backs and early Acle pressure saw Harrison Tooley go close as his shot cannoned off the inside of the post. Forder played in Jaime Smith but the keeper was quickly off his line to save the day.

United were looking strong and in dominant mood and a number of chances went begging as they tried to convert their first half superiority. Ashleigh Smith inter changed passes with Tooley but his shot was deflected out for a corner. Tooley then got his shot away but the keeper again saved the day for the Wherrymen. At the other end Brighton couldn't connect with a fierce cross, and could have put Beccles in front against the run of play.

Then Scott Foreman recovered well to keep out a shot from Bailey. Diggens pulled the ball back for Kelf but his shot was again saved in the away goal. But with time running out Diggens played the ball across goal and there was Jamie Smith on hand to side foot home to put the A's in front. Almost from the restart a telling ball through the Beccles defence saw Coleto-Cano brilliantly control the ball to guide into the net for 2-0.

After the break United gave away a free kick on the edge of the box and George Brown crashed the ball into the net to give Foreman no chance. Beccles now became the dominant influence as they played out a succession of corners.

Referee Batty was having a fine game allowing the game to flow commanding the respect of all the players. Jamie Smith blasted over, before his namesake brought down his winger and after the wall did its job, the rebound was bundled in by Bailey for 2-2.

Jamie Smith was causing problems for the Town defence all afternoon and showed tremendous skill and pace to beat two men, but when clear on goal couldn't quite finish the job. Staines drew his shot just wide of the goal and Udel saw his header well gathered by Foreman in the home goal. Perry Kelf was man of the match for his midfield contribution in a match that no team deserved to lose, but Acle can reflect on hitting the post on 8 occasions in the last two weeks.

Acle United: S Foreman, S Brooks, D Foreman, P Kelf, J Carus, R Forder, G Diggens, J Coleto-Cano, H Tooley, J Smith, A Smith. Subs all used: A Bullent, R Fisher, R Wiley.