KEITH PEEL Chris O'Brien scored twice as Blofield's hopes of retaining the Lovewell Blake Anglian Combination Premier Division title were given a double boost.

KEITH PEEL

Chris O'Brien scored twice as Blofield's hopes of retaining the Lovewell Blake Anglian Combination Premier Division title were given a double boost.

The Beavers beat Beccles Town 4-1 on Saturday while rivals Cromer drew 2-2 in a derby clash at Sheringham watched by some 250 fans.

Blofield stay five points in front of Acle, who have a game in hand, and are now nine points ahead of Cromer, who have three games in hand.

Lee Askew and Daniel Brown were Blofield's other scorers, with Alan Remblance replying.

Goals from Daniel Crane (2), Martyn Carver, Aaron Hogg and Lee Rathbone earned Acle a 5-1 victory at Bridewell Lane over Sprowston Athletic, whose scorer was Sean Brown.

Darren Nichols netted both goals for fifth-placed Sheringham, the first after only 46 seconds, while Steven Barnes and Ben Thompson were the Cromer marksmen.

Sheringham are now 11 points behind Blofield, with only one game in hand, and manager John Kowalyk reflected: “Considering that we had our keeper sent off and then went 2-1 down with only 10 minutes left I was pleased with a point, but we needed a win to gain some sort of advantage over the teams above us.

“If we'd taken the three points I would have said we were still in with a title chance, but now it's a tall order.

“Blofield are the only team in the top five we've lost to, so we're close to being title contenders, but unfortunately not close enough.”

Brandon stay fourth after a 2-2 draw at Attleborough, with Halvergate still sixth on goal difference after a 2-2 (Paul Dyer and Nathan Thompson) draw with bottom team Watton, whose scorers were Lewis Broomfield and Chris Sharpe.

Norwich Union beat Gorleston Res 1-0 (Paul Bradshaw) at Pinebanks and St Andrews won 1-0 (Alex Ingham) against North Walsham.

Goals from Kristian Jones (3) and Henry Wyndham earned Lowestoft Town Res a 4-2 win at Crown Meadow over Wroxham Res, for whom Lucas Kent netted twice.

Mattishall have moved up to second in Division One after they won 2-1 at Stalham, while Sprowston Wanderers lost 2-1 to Scole and Southwold were beaten 2-0 at Hempnall.

Simon Mowbray scored both Mattishall goals, with David Waters replying, while Hempnall's marksmen were Andrew Guy and Tom Halliwell.

Horsford beat Hindringham 3-0 (Paul Duncan, Chris Hayes and Danny Tarr) and Loddon won 2-0 (Richard Summons and James Marjoribanks) against Wells, who are fifth in the table, on goal difference from Aylsham Wanderers.

Tom Bryant and Colin Emberley were their scorers as Aylsham lost 6-2 to leaders Dersingham Rovers, whose marksmen were Stuart Able (2), Steven Clark (2), Julian Delicata and Gary English.

Bottom team Mulbarton won 2-1 (Stephen Eglington and Vince Freeman) against Holt, while the game between Dereham Town Res and Wymondham Town was postponed.

Division Two pacemakers Mundford beat Thorpe Rovers 2-0 (Neil Groves and Paul Pitt) to go four points clear of nearest rivals Corton, who lost 4-0 at Poringland.