Great Yarmouth are the Ridgeons League Division One champions after a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Whitton United.Manager Paul Tong said: “I am very proud for everyone concerned with the club.
Great Yarmouth are the Ridgeons Division One champions after a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Whitton United.
Manager Paul Tong said: “I am very proud for everyone concerned with the club. It's a fantastic achievement. We will savour the moment for a few weeks before the work starts again.
“It has been a great battle with Clacton. It shows the sportsmanship that their keeper was one of the first to congratulate me.”
Jake Reed scored an early goal, a great shot over the advancing keeper from outside the box, to settle the Bloaters' nerves but Whitton then had the better of the play, equalising through Robbie Knott who had a free header at a corner.
Yarmouth withstood some second-half home pressure to regain the lead through Craig Roberts who rose to head home a Scott Woodcock corner.
Reed had several chances to extend the lead before he scored a late clinching third goal on 88 minutes, a superb individual effort after receving a pass from Fernando Vide.
But there were a few anxious moments still for the Bloaters as Whitton's Kevin Inglis made it 3-2 after a short free-kick in added time before Yarmouth could claim the Division One crown, the Bloaters' first championship trophy in this league since 1969.
For Yarmouth defender Marcus Saunders it completed an unusual hat-trick as he has now won league championships with Gorleston, Lowestoft and Yarmouth.
There was a good finale for lowly Swaffham who beat mid-table Team Bury 4-1 on Friday night.
It was an exciting and entertaining game, with all the goals coming in the second half.
Kyle Plumb opened the account, Richard Cornwall, Nathan Clark contributing and a late free-kick screamer into the top right-hand corner by Andrew Hunter.
Diss Town lost their unbeaten run of ten matches when they lost 5-2 at FC Clacton.
The game was much closer than the score suggests with home keeper Darren Gould in fine form. Jordan Rocastle scored for Diss when he floated the ball over the keeper, but Clacton replied. Diss took the lead again when a superb cross from Garner ended with Andy Moody stooping low to head home.
But the hosts made it level again direct from a free-kick before adding another to make it 3-2. Gould made some brilliant saves and his team-mates completed a nap hand.
Gorleston hosted March in a 0-0 draw while Downham lost 9-0 at Halstead. Bottom team Fakenham just lost out to visitors Cornard 2-1, J Hutchings netting for the Ghosts.
Other results were Brantham 7, Godmanchester 2 and Ipswich Wanderers 0, Saffron Walden 3.
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