Reepham Town 2, Bungay Town 1THREE new signings failed to halt Bungay's losing run at Reepham on Saturday as they suffered their fourth Anglian Combination Division One defeat of the season - and their third in succession.

Reepham Town 2, Bungay Town 1

THREE new signings failed to halt Bungay's losing run at Reepham on Saturday as they suffered their fourth Anglian Combination Division One defeat of the season - and their third in succession.

All the goals came in the first half but the Black Dogs seldom looked like retrieving a point against the Robins after the interval, and again had keeper Robert Long and captain Craig Hunting to thank for keeping the deficit to one goal.

Reepham were the more lively side from the start and almost broke through a couple of times without success. For Bungay, Joe McFarlane saw a header from Myles Clarke's cross go just too high.

Long made his first fine save of the afternoon's at a forward's feet when Reepham beat the offside trap, but Bungay looked good going forward on occasions and McFarlane was bundled out as he went to shoot from Bret Kingsholme's good ball forward.

Then new signing Jamie Stokeld got in a header from another Clarke cross, which the keeper took comfortably.

But the home side took the lead in the 20th minute as Colin Emberley was left completely unmarked on the left. And when a cross reached him he gave Long no chance from 12 yards.

But Bungay were level within five minutes as Hunting played a good long ball forward. Although Shane Ward, another of the new signings, saw his first effort blocked by the keeper on the edge of the area, the keeper made a hash of an attempted clearance and Ward found the empty net from 20 yards.

Paul Bullen had a cross from a good position charged down and Justin Doughty had a chance at the far post, only for his first touch to let him down.

But Reepham were well organised and dangerous and regained the lead in the 32nd minute as Bungay left a player unmarked, this time on the right. Mark Gaskin took full advantage again with a clinical finish.

As Bungay tried to get level again Ward caused the home defence problems.

From a free-kick he landed the ball on the roof of the net and then, from a fine ball from Mark Shipley, he went to round the keeper only to be robbed as he did so.

After the interval the home side was largely in control and almost went further ahead in the 63rd minute when a far-post header from a corner was put wide by a forward when he should have scored.

As Bungay tried to clear a desperate situation an attempted clearance was hacked on to a post and Long did well to kick clear the rebound and as a forward homed in.

Bungay had a half-chance when Stokeld and Ward combined well and the keeper just managed to turn away McFarlane's effort.

Then Bullen put a header wide from Dan Lowe's cross, and Ward just failed to get to another cross from Lowe.

At the other end Hunting made a superb saving tackle three yards out when it seemed Emberley must score following a break by Gaskin.

Near the end Bungay carved out a promising opportunity as Stokeld crossed low to the unmarked Ward, but the ball eluded him and was cleared, and Reepham saw the game out for a deserved win.

Tomorrow Bungay entertain Long Stratton, with the kick-off 2.30pm.

In the FA Sunday Cup, Bungay Sunday have been drawn away to Royal Falcons from the Essex Corinthian Sunday League in round two.

They play at Plaistow, but for FA Sunday Cup matches they are hiring Tilbury FC's ground, so the match will be there on Sunday, November 15.

A coach will be running from Bungay, with spectators welcome at �5 each. Departure time to be confirmed.