Beccles Caxton 0, Norwich CEYMS 2BECCLES Caxton entertained Anglian Combination Division Two leaders Norwich CEYMS who left with all three points despite a spirited Caxton performance.

Beccles Caxton 0, Norwich CEYMS 2

BECCLES Caxton entertained Anglian Combination Division Two leaders Norwich CEYMS who left with all three points despite a spirited Caxton performance.

Caxton again had to reshuffle the line-up due to suspensions and players being unavailable. Before the game, Caxton's impressive new changing rooms were unveiled by long-serving club member and groundsman Dusty in front of a large audience.

Changes saw D, Kearney, L Clarke and G White replace A Dyer, J Pepperell and G Doherty with D Wilby still suspended. Caxton handed 16-year-old G Wright a place on the bench alongside M Roberts.

CEYMS were passing the ball fluently. However, Caxton started to get into the game and create chances. L Buck ghosted in from the right and volleyed M Pasque's cross just wide.

L Clarke nearly opened the scoring with an audacious lob that just went over the bar after being set up by the hard-working A Bishop. The CEYMS striker shot over from close range and J Downing pulled off a great save from a long-distance effort.

Caxton had two chances towards the end of the half from A Bishop and L Clarke but it ended 0-0.

CEYMS had been unable to penetrate the Caxton defence of T Riches, W Skoulding, K Riches and D Kearney, with M Nobbs and G White battling hard in midfield, giving good protection to the back four.

The second half started evenly with CEYMS having the majority of possession but Caxton looking the more threatening as they had a series of corners but just couldn't find that important first goal. Injured L Buck was replaced by M Roberts.

After 65 minutes, the deadlock was broken as Caxton failed to close down a shot from the edge of the area which beat J Downing.

Caxton continued to push forward and substitute M Roberts started causing problems with his pace and nearly grabbed the equaliser, thwarted by a last-gasp tackle. A Bishop then headed just over from a corner in one of those games where Caxton just couldn't find the net.

With Caxton tiring, CEYMS sealed the victory late on with the final goal.

A Ball over the top found the CEYMS striker through on goal and he lobbed the advancing J Downing.

Despite the loss, there were positives to come out from the game as Caxton matched the league leaders for most of the game, also there were good performances from A Bishop, W Skoulding and D Kearney.

Man of the Match: W Skoulding

This week Caxton travel to Acle United Res, 2pm kick-off.