Another blow for Bungay

Norwich St Johns 3, Bungay Town 0

THE Black Dogs conceded three goals for the third game in a row on Saturday and suffered their third Anglian Combination Division One defeat this season.

They looked good going forward against a useful home outfit but again lacked penetration, and St Johns showed them how to do it with some good running off the ball and good finishing. They could easily have won by a bigger margin with better finishing.

Justin Doughty got in an early low strike for Bungay which the keeper almost let through his legs, and then Joe McFarlane got in a long-range effort that was not far wide.

But St Johns showed their potential in the 12th minute as a precision through ball sent a forward clear and there was relief for the Black Dogs as he fired over with only Robert Long to beat. Shortly after Shaun Whiteman did well to block a dangerous cross, and then Long made a fine blocking save from a close-range effort.

It was no surprise when the home side took the lead in the 19th minute.

A free-kick was headed clear, but only to Liam Bloomfield, who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Almost immediately Bungay carved out a chance as Myles Clarke and Matt Holmes combined down the left and Holmes' low cross was stabbed straight at the keeper by Doughty.

Then Bullen's searching cross was turned out for a corner as the visitors fought to get back on terms.

St Johns went close twice more before the interval, with Long again saving his side - and when Bungay broke quickly a cross form McFarlane was nicked off Dan Lowe's head as he closed in at the far post.

But St Johns finished the half strongly and Long made a superb save from a goal-bound free-kick, and from the flag kick Whiteman was in the right place to block an effort on the line.

A dangerous low cross from Clarke was cleared at the expense of a corner at the start of the second half, but St Johns soon took up the running and Long made another good one-handed save.

But they did go 2-0 up in the 58th minute as Aaron Kay curled in a superb 25-yard free-kick. Then Bloomfield rolled an effort wide of the far post as Long advanced.

Bungay were still fighting and Bullen and McFarlane both tested the keeper as they enjoyed a good spell.

But Long was again exposed by the quick-raiding home forwards, who should have converted an easy chance soon after - only for the ball to be scooped over an open goal from eight yards.

And after Paul Hunter and Bullen had both tried their luck without success, St Johns sealed the win with a third goal in the 81st minute, thanks to an awful misunderstanding which gave Kay a tap-in.

Before the end Bullen hit a post for Bungay with an effort that deserved better luck.

Team: R Long, M Shipley, C Hunting, S Payne, S Whiteman, P Bullen, M Clarke, J Doughty, D Lowe, J McFarlane, M Holmes (P Hunter).

Tomorrow, Bungay visit Reepham.

Bungay Town 2, Wortwell 1

BUNGAY produced an improved performance to beat a spirited Wortwell side on Tuesday in the Wightman-King Cup.

The result saw Bungay top their group, but the single-goal defeat was also enough for Wortwell to make the semi-finals as group runners-up.

Bungay started well, and almost took the lead after five minutes when Paul Hunter's powerful shot beat the keeper but came back off the underside of the bar.

With new signing Shane Ward looking lively up front the home side were on top, and they broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, Ward beating the visitors' offside trap to finish coolly.

However, Wortwell came back into the game, and they equalised after 25 minutes, Tom Ramsey scoring from close range after Bungay had failed to clear a corner.

The remainder of the half saw Ward again go close for Bungay, and Wortwell hit a post, but there were no further goals.

Bungay were on top for most of the second period, and got the winner after 52 minutes, Joe McFarlane heading home Ward's chipped pass.

Bungay now meet Wenhaston in the semi-finals, with Loddon meeting Wortwell in the other.

Both will be played in the spring on dates to be confirmed.