Thetford Town host Long Melford, who are second-from-bottom in the Ridgeons Division One, on Saturday buoyed by a good win over Great Cornard.Thetford travelled to Great Cornard on Friday night with new manager Mick Money looking for his first win since taking charge - and he got it with a 2-1 scoreline.

Thetford Town host Long Melford, who are second-from-bottom in the Ridgeons Division One, on Saturday buoyed by a good win over Great Cornard.

Thetford travelled to Great Cornard on Friday night with new manager Mick Money looking for his first win since taking charge - and he got it with a 2-1 scoreline.

Town had no fewer than seven players missing from the side that crashed to champions Tiptree the previous week so 17-year-old Johnny Large was handed a debut up front with striker Rocky Holt also starting. Thetford started brightly and indeed it was the movement of the front two, Holt and Large, that caused Cornard problems.

With the back four looking solid and being well marshalled by skipper Dave Richards, Thetford were well on top.

A good passing move down the left by Skipp, Catchpole and Holt ended with the impressive Patrick Armes slotting home from 12 yards.

This gave Thetford the boost they needed and Large nearly grabbed a second when Ross Bellingham challenged the Cornard keeper who spilled the ball to Large but his goal-bound shot was headered off the line.

Town remained on top for the rest of the first half with Lee Simm and Ross Bellingham prominent in midfield.

However, they had to wait until the stroke of half-time to extend their lead.

Pat Armes thought he had scored his second of the match but brave defending thwarted his attempt, but from the resulting corner he made no mistake with a blistering volley.

Cornard came back into the match in the second half with long-range balls getting behind the Thetford back four.

Despite Cornard's efforts keeper Lee Hulyer was not really troubled until one such ball played into the corner was well dealt with by Tom Smith and Kwame Jones - but one pass too many was intercepted by Cornard and youngster Jordan Hutchings reduced the arrears.

Tom Catchpole was played in by Rocky Holt but was brought down from behind as he shaped up to shoot, and from the resulting free-kick Craig Skipp shot narrowly wide.

Keeper Lee Hulyer pulled off a tremendous save to prevent Cornard equalising as the back four were

caught square.

Large nearly made it three when he broke through but again the Cornard keeper denied the youngster, as play swung from end to end.

Thetford held on for three points and can now build on this victory with remaining matches against Long Melford and FC Clacton.