Nap hands decide cup ties

THE Yachtsmen of Wroxham are on course to retain the Norfolk Senior Cup after sinking Acle with a nap hand of strikes in the quarter-finals. But Holt's hopes of progress towards a Carrow Road final were scuppered when Ridgeons League again proved too strong for Anglian Combination as Gorleston fired five on the Owls' own ground.

With Wroxham and Gorleston in tomorrow (Friday) night's semi-finals live draw on Radio Norfolk (6.30pm) are Dereham Town and King's Lynn Reserves.

On Saturday, Wroxham entertain Stanway Rovers (3pm).

Acle United 0, Wroxham 5

Against the mighty Wroxham outfit plying their trade in the top half of their league, the villagers' target couldn't have been more difficult, expecially as Acle were minus Thompson and Fruin, both cup-tied, then had keeper Scott Foreman sent off writes Robin Tungate.

Cook had the first chance after eight minutes, but put his effort over the bar. After 10 minutes Key was brought down in the area, and got up to put the penalty wide of Ben Morgan, who had taken over from Acle's keeper Foreman, dismissed for the original foul.

Nicholls had a snap shot for Acle that went narrowly over the bar, before Didwell did a similar action with a half-chance.

After 36 minutes, the 10 men went further behind when Cook got in the way of a clearance and the Yachtsmen to luckily go two ahead.

After 41 minutes Key cleverly created space for himself on the edge of the penalty area before putting Wroxham 3-0 ahead. It was Key again who scored No 4 from what looked an offside position.

Second half Wroxham went 5-0 ahead through another penalty from Colin wines.

Nicholls and Crosby in midfield for Acle were creating space in the Wroxham area, but Nicholls saw his shot saved.

Seb Muddell received a straight red card for a tackle on Acle's Daniel Foreman.

Then Morgan at the Wroxham end saw his shot saved by McAnally at the second attempt.

Wroxham: McAnally, Self, Howes, Challen, Carus, Key, Halliday, Lemon, Cook, White, Wines. Subs: Fulcher, Muddell, Southgate.

Holt 0, Gorleston 5

The game was spoiled as a spectacle for the spectators, when, after only 23 minutes, a highly debatable sending off saw Holt - who were already a goal down- reduced to 10 men.

Both teams started brightly, and a good match looked to be on the cards.

The Greens took the lead after 12 minutes when Justyn Goff and his defence did not deal with a left-wing corner, leaving Hunter the easy task of putting the visitors one up.

Holt very nearly drew level when a great cross from Matthew Sanders found Kevin Moore, who saw his header fly just wide. Then a through ball to Toby Blowers was beaten clear by Marsden in the Gorleston goal.

From a long clearance Hunter and James Medlar raced after the ball. Most spectators felt that Medlar got his foot to the ball first before contact was made with Hunter. The referee saw it differently, sent off Medlar and awarded a penalty that Gorleston converted to virtually seal the win.

Gorleston had the ball in the net again before the break but the effort was disallowed.

The second half was always going to be a struggle for Holt and it was made even harder on 51 minutes when Gorleston scored a third.

Great credit to Holt's 10 men, they continued to take the game to Gorleston and twice Blowers was unlucky not to get on the score sheet.

But with tiring legs and minds they conceded two more goals before the 90 minutes were up.

Well done to Gorleston and good luck in the next round. But Holt were left wondering what would have been if they had had 11 players on the field for the whole match.

In the league, the next few games vital. Holt must pick up points if they are going to start to climb the Combination Premier table where they are third bottom.On Saturday they have a trip to title contenders Loddon whom the Owls defeated 4-1 early in the season.