Loddon United 2, Dersingham Rovers 0DESPITE their eighth position in the Anglian Combination Premier Division, United are well in the title race, only six points adrift of leaders North Walsham and within three of second-placed Cromer in another tight championship battle.

Loddon United 2, Dersingham Rovers 0

DESPITE their eighth position in the Anglian Combination Premier Division, United are well in the title race, only six points adrift of leaders North Walsham and within three of second-placed Cromer in another tight championship battle.

Tomorrow, Loddon visit a St Andrews side one place above them on the same number of points (20) from two more games played.

At the weekend, both teams found it difficult on a wet, slippery pitch. Rovers had the first chances, one from a corner which Young fisted clear and another, a header from a cross, held well.

At the other end Dan Andersen crossed for Marjoribanks to head back across the face of the goal, but no-one was at hand to finish.

A Rovers sliced cross was taken confidently just under the bar by Young. Wise latched onto a long ball from Robin Andersen, just beating the keeper but also the post. Wise again struck a volley wide from a Greenhalf cross, but the flag had been raised.

After good defending from Squire and Durrant, Ricky Summons' drive was tipped just wide. Gary Summons hit a lovely ball to the far post where Hancock's header hit the bar and went over.

Just before the break Loddon thought they had scored. Robin Andersen's quick free-kick found Greenhalf on the left. He crossed to the far post where Wise netted from a tight angle. But Rovers' protests were taken on board by the referee, who consulted his assistant and decided the free-kick should be retaken as he had not blown!

Marjoribanks turned and found Dan Andersen, who sliced his shot. Dan then picked out Robin who played a neat one-two with Greenhalf, slid past two opponents, fired the ball across the face of goal - but there was no final touch.

Rovers were thwarted with a superbly-timed tackle in the box by Durrant, emulated by Robin Andersen next time.

Loddon broke the deadlock just under the hour. Ricky Summons knocked the ball forward, Marjoribanks challenged and beat his marker and delightfully chipped the advancing keeper from the edge of the box: 1-0.

Wise went close twice as Loddon dominated. Another great move saw Robin Andersen and Gary Summons combine to put Wise through, only to be hauled down.

A free-kick taken by Hancock was flicked on by Marjoribanks to Wise, the keeper came but Wise cleverly beat him, kept the ball in and stroked it into the net: 2-0.

Wise, after another lively display, made way for Knights for his first run out. Hancock, Knights and Gary Summons got Dan Andersen away, and Marjoribanks was inches away from the cross.

Great skill from both Summons set up Knights for a one-on-one with the keeper, but he blazed wide. Marjoribanks found the keeper reading his intentions and claiming his chip.

The hard-working Dan Andersen then made way for Daniel Crisp to make his

first-team debut. Rovers' only threat came from a corner but Greenhalf headed off the line. Loddon's last chance fell to young Josh Knight who saw his strike saved at full stretch.

Again the Loddon back five shone, brightest of whom was Hancock who was Musker McIntyre Man of the Match.

Loddon: Young; Hancock, Squire, Durrant, Andersen R; Andersen D, Summons G, Summons R, Greenhalf; Marjoribanks, Wise. Subs: Knights, Crisp, Creegan.