Anglian Combination round-up: Harleston drop to second while Scole United and Attleborough Town suffer defeats

Harleston Town surrendered their grip on the Hadley & Ottaway Anglian Combination Premier Division summit after they blew a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at 10-man Norwich CEYMS on Saturday.

Goals from Scott Roberts and Spencer Cawcutt – coupled with the dismissal of the hosts’ Grant Matsell – meant that Harleston headed into the break seemingly in total command of proceedings.

However, the depleted home team refused to accept their fate and it took them just two minutes after the restart to reduce the arrears through Ben Darby.

It remained 2-1 to Harleston until eight minutes from time when CEYMS substitute Steve Kidd equalised, and the same player went on to score the winning goal in stoppage time.

Harleston, who host second-from-bottom Blofield United on Saturday (2pm), are now three points adrift of table-topping Waveney having also played two games more.

* A brace from Ben Norton-Hugman could not prevent 12th-placed Scole United from losing by the odd goal in five at UEA.

Lee Sturgeon’s side, who are without a victory from their last five league outings, will aim to return to winning ways on Saturday when they host bottom-placed St Andrews (2pm).

Meanwhile, the club has announced the return of Ashley Baxter from Diss Town.

* Seventh-placed Long Stratton, who were without a fixture last weekend, will return to action on Saturday when Mundford will be their visitors (2pm).

Adam Burroughs’ Stratton have been in positive form of late with four wins from their last five league matches.

Fourth-placed Mundford, meanwhile, have lost none of their previous eight games.

* Attleborough Town dropped to down to sixth in Division One following a 3-1 defeat at Aylsham, who have replaced them in the top five.

Leading goalscorer Danny Camish gave visiting Attleborough the lead with his 12th goal of the campaign, but the home side hit back to claim all three points.

On Saturday, Martyn Fuller’s team will make the short trip to 13th-placed Watton United (2pm).

* A couple of places below Attleborough in eighth are East Harling after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by second-from-bottom Norwich United Under-21s.

In what was manager Stacey Lawrence’s 200th game in charge of the club, John Woods netted the home team’s goal.

Harling will travel to third-placed Gorleston Reserves on Saturday (2.30pm).