Beccles Town welcomed Norwich United U21, who they beat 4-0 away a few weeks back, and completed a quick double when they won 3-1.

Beccles opened up with a well-constructed series of attacks, using both wings well and Hurren and Clark moving the opponents defence all over the place and both Clark and Bailey going close.

United worked hard and moved the ball well but did not have enough quality to get the better of Shaw and Boyd. On 32 minutes Clark opened the scoring after a superb run down the centre from the halfway line and an excellent finish and minutes later he picked up a rebound from a defender and easily beat the keeper from close to make it 2-0.

The second half was dominated by the Beccles midfield, with Heaney and Brown covering the whole pitch and prompting some brilliant attacking football. Bailey and Bee made great runs down their wings but their crosses always seemed to find a visiting defender, leaving Clark and Hurren frustrated.

On 65 minutes Godbold came on to replace Bee and immediately set Brown off down the right and his deep cross was flicked in by Bailey, extending Beccles’ lead to 3-0.

With the amount of hard running taking a toll Brown and Hurren went off to be replaced by Holland and young Alex Husband, making his first team debut.

Clark made another sizzling run but shot over and nearly got another when he latched on to deflected clearance and hit a powerful shot into the side netting.

On 88 minutes United clawed a goal back when a Beccles defensive mix-up allowed Grove to score with ease.

With only seconds on the clock Beccles were awarded a penalty and Clark stepped up, looking for his hat-trick, but he shot weakly straight at the keeper so the match ended 3-1 to Beccles Town, a result which lifted them up to third in the Premier Division.

Team: Cable, Hunt, Boyd, Shaw, Staines, Brown, Heaney, Bee, Clark, Hurren, Bailey. Subs: Godbold, Holland, Husband.

The Reserves played under lights on Wednesday evening against St Andrews Reserves and won 2-1 to go three points clear at the top of Division Four.

On Saturday Beccles visit Sheringham for a league game and the Reserves entertain Gayton Reserves (both 2.30pm).