Beccles Town entertain Acle this week, who are looking to profit from the several games in hand they have over the clubs vying for second place.Beccles, too, are in search of points as most teams around them picked up points last weekend, and they will be anxious to avoid an end-of-season scrap against relegation.

Beccles Town entertain Acle this week, who are looking to profit from the several games in hand they have over the clubs vying for second place.

Beccles, too, are in search of points as most teams around them picked up points last weekend, and they will be anxious to avoid an end-of-season scrap against relegation.

Beccles travelled to Sterry Cup hot favourites Wroxham Reserves in a fair bit of trepidation.

The Yachtsmen were 14 points clear at the top of the league. Beccles were also missing key personnel in the unavailable Chris Mayhew at centre back and Nick Day in centre midfield. As it turned out, Beccles were never at the races against a Wroxham side missing three key players and also having to play 85 minutes with only 10 men.

One encouraging thing to come from a thoroughly depressing day was the debut of Sean Payne at centre back, a recent signing from Bungay. He had played for Beccles Reserves and made the step up with ease when all around him were struggling.

Beccles soon found their opponents reduced to 10 men when a player was dismissed for dissent.

This certainty didn't handicap Wroxham who attacked Beccles and soon took the lead through an own goal.

It was all Wroxham for the rest of the first half and only by some luck did Beccles go in at half-time only one down, despite having a numerical advantage.

Beccles put together very few moves of note and it was the home side who squandered several good chances, and on a difficult surface - albeit the same for both sides- Beccles seemed relieved to see half time arrive only one down.

The second half started a little brighter for Beccles and an effort from Cai King on the right deflected off a defender and seemed to be heading for the top corner before the Wroxham keeper brilliantly pushed the ball over.

Sad to say, this was as good as it got and the sight of captain Sam Barham leaving the field with an injury, knowing his defensive partner Chris Mayhew is also unavailable this week, was a worrying development.

Wroxham finally breached the rearguard again through Paul Cook and saw out time to record a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win. Beccles offered little going forward and will need to find some guile and a cutting edge.