North Walsham Town 2, Spixworth United 1WALSHAM ground out a hard-fought 2-1 win to maintain their impressive start to the season and share the lead in the Anglian Combination Premier Division with Beccles, who are top on goal difference.

North Walsham Town 2, Spixworth United 1

WALSHAM ground out a hard-fought 2-1 win to maintain their impressive start to the season and share the lead in the Anglian Combination Premier Division with Beccles, who are top on goal difference.

This win extended Town's winning run to four games. It is hoped this form and confidence can be carried into the coming fixtures, which include a Norfolk Senior Cup home tie against Ridgeons Premier Dereham.

Town's preparations were dealt a blow by the late withdrawal of Grand on medical grounds, but Davison replaced him in the starting line-up and there were recalls for Clarke, Fitzgerald, Palmer and Lown. The bench consisted of Bunton Jnr, Davies and Doggett.

The opening stages were played at a helter skelter pace with both sides looking to attack.

At one end, Fitzgerald was looking dangerous and was thwarted by the keeper, whilst in the Town goal, Munday earned his spurs with two fine saves and dealt well with high crosses.

Town grabbed the opening goal on the stroke of half-time. A corner from Hinton was half cleared but delicately dinked back into the box by Piper, where the opposing keeper fumbled under pressure and presented Matt Lown with a simple finish from six yards.

Second half Town were slow out of the blocks and Spixworth were soon on level terms. A break down their right resulted in a low cross being clipped home by Didwell.

The visitors then dominated but Town's resolve held firm and they gradually worked their way back into the game. On the hour, Davies replaced Bunton Snr on the right and his introduction provided a fresh impetus.

On 70 minutes Piper's 30-yard piledriver rocked the bar and Clarke bundled the ball home but was adjudged to have impeded the keeper.

The frustration was short-lived as with 12 minutes remaining the Angels took the lead. Davies won the ball back and, following some intricate football, David Hinton unleashed a thunderous volley that flew into the top corner from 20 yards.

Spixworth then threw everything forward in search of another equaliser, but Town defended with steely nerves and brave hearts.

In a pleasing weekend for the club, the Reserves travelled to higher opposition at Thetford Rovers in the Junior Cup and, but for a last-minute equaliser would have progressed.

The game finished 2-2 (London, Rudd) and it is hoped the Angels can finish off the tie in the replay this week.

The A team returned to winning ways with a 5-2 (Lee Payne 3, Coop, Page) victory over Lyng and the Sunday side returned from Windmill Wanderers with a 7-3 (Davis 2, McGilway 2, Jarrad, Lown and Tindall) win.