Watton United, who zoomed up the Anglian Combination Premier Division table after their first win of the season, next take on North Walsham on Friday at 7.

Watton United, who zoomed up the Anglian Combination Premier Division table after their first win of the season, next take on North Walsham on Friday at 7.30pm at Dereham Road.

Despite missing a host of regular first-teamers, Watton got the better of previously unbeaten Sprowston with an excellent performance to win 3-0.

Afterwards a delighted joint manager Mike Derbyshire said: “I told the players before we kicked off that this wasn't about who was missing, it was about the people on the pitch. I asked them to simply to give 100 per cent and they gave everything and played some lovely football. I was extremely impressed.”

The players called upon to step up from the reserves all had great games and worked exceptionally hard.

Mervyn Brown rolled back the years in central midfield alongside the less experienced Carl Allibone, who ran the other full debutant, Ben Smart, very close for the MoM award.

But Smart did perhaps just edge it with a commanding showing in the middle of the defence alongside Leggett.

Bloomfield just failed to net after connecting with a ball in from the left by Kingsbury.

Walker crossed into the six-yard area and Bloomfield reacted well when the home keeper spilled the ball and pounced to net from close range.

United could have been further in front, with Nichols, Bloomfield and Walker all going close.

At the start of the second 45, Sprowston really came at Watton, going close twice, one hitting the bar.

But then, against the run of play, the visitors went 2-0 up. Nichols picked the ball up halfway inside the Sprowston half and unleashed an unstoppable 30-yard drive which flew into the top corner.

That seemed to deflate Sprowston and although their number nine was again denied by the woodwork, Watton began to look the more threatening going forward.

A chip by Watton's Walker was denied only by an excellent save. Joe Kerry, making a welcome return to Watton, came off the bench to replace the excellent Kingsbury.

Kerry's quality and experience added another dimension to the game.

With 13 minutes left, just after the equally excellent Carl Allibone had been replaced by brother Mark, the irrepressible Walker got away on the right, cut across the edge of the area and drove a fine low shot inside the keeper's near post for 3-0.

Watton's other recent signing, young Josh Webster, was immediately brought on for Bloomfield, who had worked tirelessly.

And Webster used his few minutes on the pitch to demonstrate that he will be an undoubted asset to the squad.