After a disappointing result for a depleted Beccles at North Walsham Town, they must now hope to take a stronger team out tomorrow when they travel to Long Melford for the first round of the Suffolk Senior Cup.

After a disappointing result for a depleted Beccles at North Walsham Town, they must now hope to take a stronger team out tomorrow when they travel to Long Melford for the first round of the Suffolk Senior Cup.

Beccles travelled to North Walsham with a comparatively lightweight side that did not include regulars Barham, Payne, Fiske and Hurren, who were absent for a variety of reasons.

Also with Pike and Sean Payne still serving suspensions, it was always going to be difficult for the visitors to Greens Road. Manager Mick Broxup had to include himself as a sub, along with young Alex Jeffreys, and he must surely have asked the question, why was this necessary so far into the season?

North Walsham opened brightly and the new central defensive pairing of Lees and Wigg were soon under pressure from the lively home attack.

Beccles replied with a good inter-passing move involving Martin, McMorran and Woods, which ended with a McMorran shot that cleared the bar.

Play was switching quite rapidly from one end to the other, with both sides trying desperately for an opening.

Cable, in the Beccles goal, was forced into a good save, which was followed almost immediately by a Beccles header just wide at the other end from a Waterman cross.

In the 40th minute, Walsham opened the scoring with a stroke of luck when the unfortunate Lees turned a low cross into his own net.

The home side had a chance to increase the score before the break, but Landamore shot well wide from a good position. Half-time 1-0.

Early in the second half, Beccles had a great chance to equalise, but having jinked past two home defenders, the usually reliable striker shot straight into the home keeper's arms.

Walsham then put the game out of reach when Ramsbottom scored with a firm header from a free-kick after 67 minutes. Walsham were now in control of the game and almost made it 3-0 with a good effort from Miller that was just wide.

Beccles did have a minor revival and went close to pulling one back when Woods hit a post from close in, and Martin had another shot well saved by Kellet in the home goal, but all to no avail. So the game ended with a 2-0 win for Walsham.