Beccles Town 2, Hempnall 1Beccles Town scuppered the Sterry Cup hopes of Hempnall at the weekend.The Wherrymen played their penultimate league game, their last of the season at College Meadow, against championship-chasing Hempnall who were still very much in the Anglian Combination title race.

Beccles Town 2, Hempnall 1

Beccles Town scuppered the Sterry Cup hopes of Hempnall at the weekend.

The Wherrymen played their penultimate league game, their last of the season at College Meadow, against championship-chasing Hempnall who were still very much in the Anglian Combination title race.

Beccles fielded a fairly strong side with Alex Holmes and Neil McMorran returning to the starting line-up. The first half very much belonged to the visitors with their midfield well in control although unable to find a finishing touch. The Beccles attack was reduced to a couple of harmless, long-range efforts in a fascinating half.

However, with little time remaining, Hempnall opened the scoring through Carl Harwin and home supporters were left to rue missed chances.

The second half started with The Wherryman in the ascendancy, both wide men Woods and Holmes tearing into the Hempnall defence. After concerted attacks the ball came to Jason Clarke on the left of the area where he turned and saw his sublime chipped cross headed into the bottom corner by Alan Remblance for 1-1.

Beccles continued on the up and the attack was reinforced by Ant Martin coming on to replace Woods. He soon made an impact and his physical size was looking too much for the right side of the visitors' defence. A cleverly flighted free-kick from Ricci Wilson was given the deftest of touches by Martin to put Beccles 2-1 up.

Beccles continued to attack with gusto. Holmes was in full flight, tormenting his opposing full back and sending in crosses which were just failing to find a target. Nick Day came on to replace the tiring Craig Peters while the Beccles defence were having a sterling game, totally snuffing out any threat from a quality Hempnall forward line. Meanwhile Holmes' trickery brought a nasty foul from Franklin, who was red carded, having been booked earlier.

Remblance had been subject to some rough treatment and finally succumbed with a chest injury, to be replaced by manager Mick Broxup for the last minutes.

The win moved The Wherrymen back above Hempnall into fourth place.

On Saturday, Beccles Reserves play their final game in the league against North Walsham Reserves (2.30pm ko) having taken a deserved three points on Tuesday evening with a win over East Harling by 3-2 (Ray Masters, Mark Howard and Danny Compton.)

On Sunday, Beccles hold the first semi-final of the 2010 Hospital Cup between Bungay Town and Beccles Town 3pm ko.

Wednesday evening sees the second semi-final between Beccles Caxton and Kirkley & Pakefield, 6.30pm ko.

The final to take place on Sunday, May 16 with a 3pm ko.