Acle United 2, Loddon United 0a very poor day at the office for Loddon who lost their scoring touch in this mid-table Anglian Combination Premier Division clash in which Acle finished with nine men.

Acle United 2, Loddon United 0

a very poor day at the office for Loddon who lost their scoring touch in this mid-table Anglian Combination Premier Division clash in which Acle finished with nine men.

They will aim to be sharper at home to second-bottom Watton tomorrow.

In the first quarter at Acle, tidy play by Knights and Chris Andersen, ended with a Robin Andersen shot blocked and another cleared off the line. Baylis crossed, and Ricky Summons' drive was inches wide.

Chris Andersen and Knights again combined well but Marjoribanks could not get enough on the cross.

Acle had their first real chance in the 20th minute but sent the ball way over. Five minutes later the Loddon defence went missing as Acle found a free man again, Young came but was chipped as Acle went 1-0 up.

Loddon responded when all three Andersens got involved and Dan's drive just cleared the bar. At the other end, Young went to the corner to clear the ball but slipped. As he got to his feet and raced back to his goal, the home player threw the ball off Young's back to gain a corner, which was driven into the side netting.

Loddon were now second best, but a glimmer of hope emerged as a great turn and cross from Marjoribanks found Knights- but his glancing header was just wide of the far post.

The same two combined in reverse but this time Marjoribanks' header was not strong enough to trouble the keeper. But Acle found space again and hit the woodwork. Just before the break, Dan Andersen shot wide for Loddon, Acle had a free header close in, and a free-kick fired over.

The second half became a dull affair, from a Loddon point of view. There was little in the way of invention, anticipation or fluidity of passing. From a Sadler free-kick a decent header from Baylis was saved low down. Sadler then sliced a

left-foot shot wide.

On the hour, Gary Summons came on for Squire. Ricky Summons received an elbow in the face and the yellow card was seen again. Sadler sent in another sweet free-kick, again met by Baylis, and this time the ball came off the post and away.

Chris Andersen, after a beautifully timed tackle in the box, caught an elbow and this time a red was shown and Acle were down to 10.

Loddon managed more possession but still created little. A good win by Sadler was crossed in by Robin Andersen, Marjoribanks headed and Dan Andersen was bundled over and another home player saw red.

Marjoribanks' free-kick was deflected wide and with five minutes remaining Acle's sub found space on the edge of the area and fired home.

Ricky Summons, sliced wide, Robin Andersen volleyed well over, Durrant sent in some long throws, Knights beat three and had a shot blocked.

Musker McIntyre man of the match: Chris Andersen by a mile.

Team: Young; Baylis, Squires, Durrant, Andersen C, Andersen D, Sadler, Summons R, Andersen R, Marjoribanks, Knights. Subs: Summons G, Greenhalf.