IT was a disappointing start to the Anglian Combination season for both Beccles Town and Bungay Town first teams.Beccles are second from bottom in the Premier Division after losing 5-0 at Acle while their reserves prop up Division Three with a 7-1 defeat at home to Wymondham Reserves.

IT was a disappointing start to the Anglian Combination season for both Beccles Town and Bungay Town first teams.

Beccles are second from bottom in the Premier Division after losing 5-0 at Acle while their reserves prop up Division Three with a 7-1 defeat at home to Wymondham Reserves.

Beccles will hope for better on Wednesday when they host Loddon and the reserves visit Newton Flotman on Tuesday.

Bungay's first home game in the Anglian Combination Division One is on Tuesday evening against Horsford United (7.30pm).

THE Black Dogs got the new season off to a disappointing start with a three-goal defeat at neighbours Poringland on Tuesday evening.

A second-half penalty was the turning point - before that there had been little to choose between the sides and Poringland's first-half lead did not reflect the game. But after the penalty the home side were able to relax and clinched it with a third goal.

Bungay fielded a squad showing seven new signings, including the returning Kevin Riches and with new captain Mark Shipley at the heart of the defence, and they took time to settle. But they worked hard, and when Poringland went ahead it was against the run of play. The defence was pulled out of position and Chris Ault tapped the ball into an empty net from Ash Ling's cross.

Bungay went close when Shaun Whiteman saw a fine header from Dale Gowing's corner well saved by the keeper. Later James Youngman had a chance but his shot lacked power, before Bungay had the ball in the net only for the goal to be disallowed for a push on the keeper.

New keeper Gary Foyster made a good save to prevent the home side going further ahead just before the interval and shortly after did well to turn away a volley from Ling, one of four former Bungay players in the Poringland side.

In the second half Bungay created a chance as Dan Andrews set up Gowing, but his effort was off target, while there was no one on hand to take advantage of a good Youngman cross soon after. At the other end Dale Smith, who had an impressive debut for the Black Dogs, did well to head a dangerous cross out for a corner.

But then Youngman was judged to have fouled a forward just inside the area and Matt Elvin beat Foyster with the penalty.

The goal put the home side on top, though Russell Tufts did test the home keeper with one shot, and Ainsley Baynes should have done better with his header from a good cross from Gowing. The home side made the game safe through Ling.

Bungay Town FC are holding a golf day at Bungay and Waveney Valley GC in aid of club funds on Thursday, September 2. Teams of three or four can enter and play 28 holes. Contact Jon Fuller on 07876 614617.

Bungay Reserves beat St Andrews 7-4 in an entertaining game.

Ainsley Baynes led the way with four goals, the last a scorching drive from 25 yards, Aaron Lowe got two goals cutting in from the left, with Steve Batt the other scorer.