Beccles Town 2 St Andrews 0

BECCLES Town remain in contention for the Premier Division runners-up spot after victory over fellow contenders St Andrews on Saturday.

Beccles were forced into two changes, with the evergreen James Fenn replacing Shaun Wigley, who was on holiday, and Ray Masters coming in for the injured Damon Bensley.

The afternoon was a dull, damp affair and the football more then matched this as both sides struggled to gain the initiative. Then on 18 minutes, Kevin Waterman put Ant Martin away through the centre and he advanced into the penalty area before being unceremoniously dumped to the ground. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and up stepped Kevin Waterman to keep his 100 per cent record from the spot to give the hosts the lead.

Beccles doubled their lead at the end of the first half. Alan Remblance set Ray Masters up on the left of the penalty area, he chipped over the keeper but a defender got back on the goal line to concede a corner. This proved only a temporary respite, as following a well-worked routine, Remblance shot home into the far corner to make it 2-0 at half-time.

The second half opened with Beccles on the offensive and Martin shot just wide on 50 minutes. Then Beccles won a free-kick on the edge of the box, and up stepped Remblance to chip the ball just wide of the far post. With just over an hour gone, a slick move involving Waterman and Martin saw Remblance graze the bar.

The game finished 2-0, but a good proportion of the large crowd stayed on after the game to hear live commentary via telephone from the Reserves’ cup semi-final tie away at Aylsham.

The game went to penalties and was finally settled after 18 spot-kicks, with Aylsham Reserves going through on sudden death.

Tomorrow Beccles play at home against Wroxham Reserves, kick-off 2.30pm, and the Reserves go in search of league points away to Wymondham Reserves, kick-off 2.30pm.