Loddon lose out

Loddon 2, North Walsham 3

Loddon only turned up for the second half of this game.

League leaders Walsham capitalised on their dominance with an opener in the 12th minute. A cross nodded on at the near post was finished at the far as a striker slipped between two home defenders.

Young was forced to make further saves as Walsham took control, but Loddon strung together a delightful six-pass move, the final cross going behind. On 27 minutes Walsham converted a penalty for 2-0.

Marjoribanks' shot curled just wide for Loddon whose back five stood up well. Just before the break a Hancock shot fizzed inches wide.

When the Walsham keeper fumbled the chance went begging before Marjoribanks headed on a throw to Knights. He fed Greenhalf on the left who crossed to the far post and saw the ball loop over the keeper and into the net for 2-1.

Loddon dominated the next 10 minutes, but against the run of play Walsham fired a corner to the far post where the ball was bundled in for 3-1.

Undeterred, Loddon continued to press. Finally a free-kick was given for a foul on Knights, the offender booked, Robin Andersen floated in the free-kick, the keeper punched and Marjoribanks fired home from the edge of the box for 3-2.

Walsham's No. 9 was shown a yellow for a late challenge. Durrant made a superb tackle to concede a corner from which Walsham squeezed the ball in but the ref blew for an infringement. Durrant was caught late by the No 9 again and the Walsham man was substituted. Loddon dominated the final 15 minutes, barring a couple of breaks. Knights saw a sweet drive well saved and skewed a volley wide. Walsham looked to take the ball to the corners in injury time and hung on.

Musker McIntyre MoM: Josh Knights.

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