Watton are on the up

SO, it's official! Watton United are back in top-flight football in the Anglian Combination! After an absence of two seasons, they secured their return to the Premier Division with a hard-fought 3-2 win over nearest rivals, Loddon.

SO, it's official! Watton United are back in top-flight football in the Anglian Combination!

After an absence of two seasons, they secured their return to the Premier Division with a hard-fought 3-2 win over nearest rivals, Loddon.

And in addition to clinching promotion, Watton have piled the pressure on the team in second place, who must now win all their three remaining fixtures to deny United the Division One title.

That is, of course, providing that Watton win their final fixture this week, at Scole. But that ought to be no problem if they can conjure up a repeat of this excellent display.

Watton went in front on 35 minutes when Lomas picked the ball up on the right after it had been only half-cleared.

He whipped in a superb cross on the turn and Nichols got between two Loddon defenders to power in a header.

Ironically, only moments before, Webster in the Watton goal had pulled off an outstanding save to deny the visitors from a similar position.

On 43 minutes Watton went further ahead. Bloomfield wrestled his way free down the centre before escaping three Loddon defenders to round the goalkeeper and score.

Right on the stroke of half-time United conceded a soft goal from a free-kick and Loddon scored.

In the second half Loddon came at United hard, right from the whistle. However, the home side steadied the ship and Loddon were unable to create any clear-cut opportunities.

And Watton extended their lead when the tireless Astbury won the ball in the middle of the park and sent Nichols clear.

Nichols cut inside his marker, looked up and from 18 yards, placed a fine left-foot drive low beyond the keeper.

To their credit, Loddon once again came back to net.

Within a minute of coming on Rudling had an opportunity to settle the game but he blasted over from 15 yards.

Nevertheless, he did a solid, professional job in midfield after a long time out, holding the ball up and making a nuisance of himself.

Broomfield played a superb lofted-pass in behind the visitors back line for Nichols, whose chest control on the run was excellent. However, he went for power with his volley instead of placement and the ball sailed over.

Then Broomfield went close, as did man-of-the-match Lomas, who just pipped Nichols for that accolade.