Reepham Town 1, Great Yarmouth Town Reserves 0THE Bloaters was the last team to take Anglian Combination Division Two points off section leaders the Robins way back on October 4.

Reepham Town 1, Great Yarmouth Town Reserves 0

THE Bloaters was the last team to take Anglian Combination Division Two points off section leaders the Robins way back on October 4.

This was a tough match for Reepham, physically and mentally. The Yarmouth team were full of youthful vigour and endeavour and required points to keep them in the leading pack. The more experienced home team did not want Yarmouth to become their bogey team.

The visitors' passing and movement was refreshing, but broke down when they entered the crucial final attacking third. The Reepham defence was solid. A Shaun Belton free-kick on eight minutes flashed under the diving body of Steve Pryke and won the contest, which settled down to a game where Yarmouth huffed and puffed, but never threatened to score.

The Bloaters' Nando Vide had a good long-range effort well saved by Reepham's keeper Martin Failes on the half-hour and young full-back Sam Watt got in several useful crosses, again easily dealt with by the excellent Failes. The more determined Robins had the best opportunities.

During the second half Colin Emberley should have put the points beyond doubt when he got on the end of a raking James Page diagonal pass, but his dipping volley shaved the crossbar with Pryke beaten.

The final 20 minutes saw Yarmouth press for an equaliser and this exposed them to counter-attacks. During this spell Reepham's centre forward Kevin White was giving Yarmouth's captain and central defender Toby Gorbald a torrid time and was unlucky not to convert.

Reepham assistant manager Paul Belton stated afterwards: 'We were glad to hear the final whistle. Not much of a spectacle for the 80 or so spectators.

'We have played much better, but this was one of those games where we showed spirit, character and discipline and got another three points.'

Reepham's reserves notched a good 2-1 win away to Corton as their revival continues.

The Sunday team, who are top of their league, lost 4-2 to Stoke Holy Cross and the U16s beat Holt 3-0.