KEITH PEEL Blofield have gone five points clear in the race for the Lovewell Blake Anglian Combination Premier Division title. The reigning champions beat rivals Acle 2-1 at Yarmouth Road to avenge a 3-0 away defeat three weeks earlier.

KEITH PEEL

Blofield have gone five points clear in the race for the Lovewell Blake Anglian Combination Premier Division title.

The reigning champions beat rivals Acle 2-1 at Yarmouth Road to avenge a 3-0 away defeat three weeks earlier.

Acle slip to third on goal difference behind Cromer, who beat North Walsham 3-0.

“It was a big result for us, a heck of a boost,” said Blofield joint manager Paddy Murphy.

“We've been aching ever since the result at Acle, where we were absolutely abysmal.

“They were the better team in the first half today, but we commanded the game all through the second half and in the end thoroughly deserved to win.

“I said seven or eight weeks ago that it would end up in a two-horse title race between Blofield and Cromer, and I still believe that.”

Saturday's match was marred near the end by crowd trouble,e which spilled over on to the pitch and led to the referee moving spectators away from the touchline before he would allow play to resume.

“I hope that those who caused the problems will be punished for it,” said Murphy.

Daniel Foreman gave Acle an interval lead, with Colin Wines equalising and Stuart Rushbrook scoring Blofield's winner.

Ben Thompson (2) and Steven Bean were Cromer's marksmen.

Fourth-placed Sheringham drew 1-1 (Steven Jordan) with St Andrews, whose scorer was Andrew Cunningham.

Lee Skoyles and Lewis Broomfield were their respective marksmen as fifth-placed Halvergate drew 1-1 with bottom team Watton.

Goals from John Waites (2), Matthew Bellingham and Lee Webber earned sixth-placed Brandon a 4-2 win over seventh-placed Norwich Union, for whom Paul Bradshaw and Paul Durrant replied.

Nicholas Day and Joshua Woolnough netted for Beccles Town in their 2-1 defeat of Attleborough, for whom Glen Sharp was on target.

That leaves Beccles in eight place on goal difference from Lowestoft Town Reserves, who beat Wroxham Reserves 3-2 (Reece Hunn, David Lees and Scott Martin) at Trafford Park, where Matthew Eves and Kieran Patel replied.

Gorleston Reserves won 5-4 against Sprowston Athletic, for whom Chris Holmes (2), Ben Finch and Rikki George scored.

Sprowston Wanderers stepped up their Division One promotion push with a 1-0 (Marcus Hailes) defeat of leaders Dersingham.

With two games in hand, that leaves them four points behind second-placed Mattishall, who drew 0-0 with fifth-placed Wells.

Southwold are fourth after losing 1-0 (Graham Ruddock) at Scole.

Goals from Gary Belton, Karl Pask and Darren West earned Hindringham a 3-1 win over second from bottom Stalham, whose scorer was Peter Skivington.

Hindringham are now sixth on goal difference from Loddon, who won 2-1 (James Marjoribanks and David Matthews) against Aylsham Wanderers.

Wymondham Town are eighth after a 1-1 draw at Holt, whose scorer was James Medlar.

Hempnall won 1-0 (Tim Zielinski) against Dereham Town Reserves, while bottom team Mulbarton beat Horsford 2-0, with Damian Didwell and Scott McIntosh scoring.