Sole Bay (Southwold) 1, Bungay Town 2THE Black Dogs made it a winning start to 2009 with a battling performance in this odd goal of three win at Southwold Common on Saturday.

Sole Bay (Southwold) 1, Bungay Town 2

THE Black Dogs made it a winning start to 2009 with a battling performance in this odd goal of three win at Southwold Common on Saturday.

It was all the more creditable as they ended the game with only nine men as a result of two harsh sendings off for Thomas Daniels - in the first half - and Paul Bullen near the end.

Craig Hunting was once again outstanding in defence, as were Shaun Payne and Dan Lowe, but it was a good all-round team performance by everyone to win the game against the odds.

It all started so well for Bungay as they took the lead inside the first minute.

A fine ball by Stuart Campbell, making his first start of the season, put Tom Amis clear down the right and he cut in and unselfishly set up Eddie Collings for an open goal. The striker's effort came back off a post to Danny Wilby, who was fouled as he went to shoot, and Amis crashed home the resultant penalty.

It was a perfect start, but after that they got bogged down on the bumpy pitch and found flowing football difficult.

Lowe made a great tackle to prevent Southwold breaking through. Daniels had a chance in one Bungay attack but could not direct his lob towards goal with the keeper out of position.

As Southwold came more into the game a forward blazed well wide when well placed, and soon after another chance flew wide.

But the home side equalised in the 42nd minute as Matty Barbrook directed a header wide of Jimmy Bligh from a free-kick.

Worse befell the Black Dogs right on half-time as Daniels was dismissed for his second bookable offence within three minutes, though he seemed to play the ball in the first incident.

Bungay re-grouped in the second half, and after Bullen had sent a great 25-yard shot dipping narrowly over the bar they regained the lead in the 52nd minute.

Wilby sent in a dangerous free-kick from the right which the keeper seemed to push against a defender and the ball ended up in the net, with Wilby putting in a claim for the goal.

Amis hooked a effort narrowly wide following a corner as Bungay took the game to Southwold despite their numerical handicap.

Rory French made his return to action following a car accident as he replaced Campbell and almost connected with Wilby's free-kick with a diving header. Soon after he set up Collings to drive into the net from a narrow angle, only to see the 'goal' disallowed for offside.

With seven minutes left Bungay went close to a third as Shaun Payne headed Wilby's free-kick into the danger area and the keeper grabbed Amis's shot at the second attempt.

Soon after Southwold should have equalised as a player was left clear following a corner but he fired wide.

In injury time Bullen was sent off for a second booking, and Bligh was called upon to secure the Black Dogs' deserved win with two fine tackles outside his area.

The result leaves Bungay fourth with 28 points from 15 games, chasing Horsford (29 from 14),Mattishall (29 from 14) and St Andrews (30 from 16). Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves (27 from 14) are snapping at their heels.

Team: J Bligh, T Daniels, C Hunting, S Payne, D Lowe (L Henwood), P Bullen, N Renaut, D Wilby, S Campbell (R French), T Amis, E Collings.

Tomorrow, Bungay make the long trip to Gayton for an Anglian Combination Division One game.

The Reserves entertain Sprowston Wanderers Reserves (2pm) and the A team are at Barsham in the Lowestoft League Cup 2nd Round.