Stowmarket go top after four-goal fest at Great Yarmouth

Stowmarket players celebrate a goal at Yarmouth Photo: STEVE WOOD (Image: Steve Wood Photography)

Stowmarket Town climbed to the top of the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division after a convincing 4-0 win away at Great Yarmouth Town.

Two goals in each half, including a brace from Ollie Canfer and goals from defenders Ollie Brown and Phill Weavers, saw the Old Gold and Blacks move above Histon and into top spot in the table.

A large travelling contingent of Stow fans, many wearing waistcoats, were sent home happy from the Wellesley, as Rick Andrews’ men provided the perfect response to last week’s setbacks at home.

Stow boss Andrews made two changes to the side which started in the 1-1 draw with Norwich United at Greens Meadow, as Scott Chaplin and Canfer were brought back into the starting line-up, with Remi Garrett and Ace Howell both unavailable.

The two meetings between the two sides last season were both close contests, with a Josh Mayhew goal in each game earning Stow a pair of 1-0 wins over the Bloaters.

Their first clash in 2018-19 would prove to be a much more comfortable test for Andrews’ men, but it was not until the 30th minute that the Old Gold and Blacks edged in front for the first time.

A Tom Matthews cross into the home box was spilt by the Yarmouth goalkeeper Barrie Franklin and Stow captain Brown pounced on the mistake to open his account for the season.

The visitors doubled their advantage eight minutes later when Canfer converted from a scramble in the penalty area, the Stow midfielder, who returned to the club this summer, netting his first goal for Stowmarket since October 2010.

With just under 20 minutes left on the clock, Stow put the outcome beyond doubt as a dazzling run from Weavers, which started from his own half, ended with the centre back through on goal and he made no mistake in finishing past Franklin to make it 3-0.

The visitors still had time to score a fourth goal when Chaplin’s cross was finished off by Canfer on 86 minutes, as Stow recorded their biggest win of the season.