AFTER a week off due to an unfit pitch at Watton, North Walsham Town played host to North Norfolk neighbours Holt United in a game played under the floodlights at Greens Road.

AFTER a week off due to an unfit pitch at Watton, North Walsham Town played host to North Norfolk neighbours Holt United in a game played under the floodlights at Greens Road.

The Angels paraded new signings Ramsbottom and Boswell to a healthy crowd, whilst the unavailability of Knowles, Cullington and Lown led to starts for Palmer and Lythgoe.

Holt's line-up included former Angels O' Brien, Linden-Ball and McGilway.

Walsham made a dream start when they took the lead within 10 minutes. Wilton beat his marker and delivered a perfect cross for Adam Ramsbottom to rise unchallenged and plant his header beyond O'Brien to open his account for the club.

Minutes later, Town had doubled their lead. An interchange involving Miller and Ramsbottom concluded with Liam Landamore unleashing a left foot rocket from 20 yards into the roof of the net.

The game then settled down with Town still holding the ascendancy. Both Hinton and Wilton caused no ends of problems down the flanks and Clarke and Ramsbottom looked to building a good rapport up front. At the other end, Holt were being restricted to long range efforts that Kellett was coping with admirably.

As half-time approached, Town thought they had grabbed a third when Clarke volleyed home following a flowing move involving Wilton, Hinton and Ramsbottom, but unfortunately the linesman's flag cut short the celebrations.

In the second half, Town never got close to reaching the heights of the first half as Holt controlled a majority of possession, although their threat was controlled with Grand leading the backline.

They did have one let-off when a near post corner was flicked goalwards only for Kellett to claw the ball away from the line and Lythgoe boot the ball away to safety.

Manager Musgrove then introduced his subs with Boswell replacing Ramsbottom, Marsh slotting in for Lythgoe and youngster Gainsford coming on for Clarke.

As the game entered the dying moments, Town regained the fluency with which they attacked in the opening minutes and Hinton wasted a great chance to put the result beyond doubt. He redeemed himself moments later when he broke clear and teed up Boswell who steadied himself before drilling into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

There was still time for Gainsford to see his effort flash past the post before the referee ended the game.

This was a comprehensive victory and it is hoped that the team can carry this attacking form into next week's encounter against Beccles.