Acle Utd 8, Loddon Utd 0

Loddon had to endure the embarrassment of an 8-0 defeat at Acle on Tuesday night.

With unavailabilities through work and injury, they had only 10 players 90 minutes before the kick-off. However, the players that came in did well and in no way let the side down. But Acle were too strong and on an evening where every decision seemed to go against Loddon, several of which directly produced goals, heads understandably dropped.

Together with a string of unnecessary bookings it was an evening to forget which ended dangerously in near darkness. The resulting goal difference moved Loddon down to third from bottom and could have a big impact at the end of the season.

Musker McIntyre man of the match: Marjoribanks.

Loddon: Stebbings, Hancock (capt), Ayre M, Squire, Jones, Parkin D, Summons, Parkin M, Greenhalf, Marjoribanks, Andersen D. Subs: Bussens, Fuller, Creegan.

Loddon Utd 0, Beccles Town 0

LODDON earned a valuable point in a dour local derby on Saturday.

Beccles had the better of the early exchanges but Parkin blocked well and a Beccles shot was scuffed wide after a blatant push on Durrant created space. Parkin then set up Marjoribanks who pulled his shot wide from 25 yards.

On 15 minutes Loddon’s defence was breached but fortunately for them Beccles knocked over from close in with just Stebbings to beat. Loddon countered, Grenhalf crossed but Dan Andersen’s volley was blocked.

Loddon gradually worked their way into the game, forcing a corner and a couple of throws near the corner flag, but Beccles went close when heading fractionally over from a corner with Stebbings beaten. They then hit a post when a free-kick beat everyone at the far post.

A great chance fell to Squire after good build up through Dan Andersen, Marjoribanks and Parkin, but, after a neat turn, when he had a shooting chance, he chose to square and the chance was lost.

Marjoribanks nodded on a throw, but nobody had attacked the far post and a defender cleared off the line.

Loddon started better in the second half. Squire did well to set up Summons who took an extra touch when he should have hit it first time.

Durrant then headed over from a corner before defending a corner well at his own end. A speculative chip hit Loddon’s cross bar and Stebbings palmed over and punched clear the next attack, from which Robin Andersen prompted a neat Loddon attack.

In the last minute, Loddon nervously defended a couple of corners, and in time added on, Beccles broke, Durrant, with the sun in his eyes, missed out, but Stebbings superbly finger tipped the Beccles shot over.

Musker McIntyre man of the match: Robin Andersen

Loddon: Stebbings; Hancock, Baylis, Durrant, Andersen R, Andersen D, Summons G, Parkin M, Greenhalf; Marjoribanks, Squire. Subs: Gunton, Creegan.

n Loddon United FC are inviting applications for the post of first team manager for the 2011/2012 season. Applications can be made to info@loddonunitedfc.co.uk and are required before April 30.

Further information is available from club secretary Carl Pitcher who can also be contacted at the email address above or on 01508 520856.