Robins into next round

Horsford United 1, Reepham Town 3THE Robins visited Horsford in the Norfolk Senior Cup and were challenged with the prospect of playing on a hard, dry and bumpy pitch.

Horsford United 1, Reepham Town 3

THE Robins visited Horsford in the Norfolk Senior Cup and were challenged with the prospect of playing on a hard, dry and bumpy pitch.

There was little chance that good football was going to be played under such conditions, especially with a stiff breeze too.

First real chance came to Darren Nichols of the home team as from a corner he watched as debutant Robins keeper Stuart Parsons made a terrific save.

On 30 minutes Colin Emberley broke the deadlock and lashed in a terrific goal past the stationary Steve Moseley in the home goal.

The host team responded with some considerable pressure from Nichols and Scott McKinney excelling up front and it was the evergreen Nichols who headed an equaliser. Again the chance came from a corner.

In the 46th minute Martin Bramble volleyed in from close-range following a corner.

Having taken the lead, Reepham settled and there was some passing, possession football by the visitors.

Jason Hynd finished off Horsford's hopes of progressing into the next round when the powerful striker took the ball with his back to goal turned his man, muscled past another.

Instead of his trademark 'head down and hit it' he sent Moseley the wrong way and side-footed the ball gently into the net.

Reepham's chairman Marcus Wilkinson said afterwards: 'We had to grind out that result, but with four key players - Martin Failes, Kevin Winkworth, Shaun Belton and Beau Howard - all missing we did very well.'

Meloncollie Rose of Reepham man of the match was Martin Bramble who was outstanding in defence and scored a goal to top it off.

Reepham first team are in Mummery Cup on Saturday when they welcome Sterry Cup winners Sheringham to Stimpson's Piece with a 2pm kick-off.