Match Report

Great Yarmouth Town v East Harling   Norfolk Senior Cup Round 2.

 

Wednesday 16th November 2022.   Report by Martin Baxter.

 

On a very wet and windy night Yarmouth played hosts to East Harling FC in a tricky looking cup tie and such were the conditions that this game was seriously in doubt until around 4 pm when the referee gave the all clear after a pitch inspection. 

 

East Harling sat in third place in the Anglian Combination Premier league and came into this match unbeaten all season and they were sure to raise their game in front of a large crowd at the famous Wellesley ground.

 

Yarmouth made 4 changes from Saturdays defeat to league leaders Heacham, with Lopez, Perry, Rix and Fenn all getting into the starting line up and 16 year old Rix played up front as the loan striker.  

 

The match started and with the strong wind behind them and with excellent vocal backing from their travelling fans the visitors came out of the blocks flying and in the 10th minute Webb tested Yarmouth keeper Lane with a volley which the keeper did well to stop and turn away for a corner and shortly after Bray hit a sweet strike from fully 30 yards out that went just past the right hand post.

 

Yarmouth were struggling to get their passing game together as the conditions were gradually getting worse, and they were clearly looking to get into the dressing room at half time without conceding, knowing they would then have the advantage of the wind at their backs for the 2nd half, however before half time Lane was called into action again to make a superb double save from McGeegrie at point blank range.   

 

In the 43rd minute and against the run of play Yarmouth had  an opportunity to take the lead when a cross from the left from Duffield was met by Rix, however he put his shot sailing over the cross bar and the two sides went in at the break goal less.      

 

Half time:  Great Yarmouth Town 0  East Harling 0. 

 

The 2nd period started and the with the wind now gusting at over 45 mph and with the rain lashing down heavily it became really difficult for both sides to adapt to the awful conditions and understandably this match became a little scrappy. 

 

East Harling had the first chance of the 2nd period when a Bray strike from 20 yards went straight to keeper Lane but chances were now at a premium and on 70 minutes Yarmouth introduced Adams to go up front to add a bit of height to the attack and Soares was also introduced to add a little more bite to the central midfield area and it almost paid off 10 minutes later when Adams found himself through one on one with the keeper who did very well to block his effort out and a minute later up he other end of the pitch man of the match Lane made another decent save from a McGreegrie strike and this game finished all square and went straight to penalties.

 

The first 4 penalties were converted by both sides, and then the 5th penalty for the visitors struck the left hand post and Harrison then stepped up to blast home to send the Bloaters into the 3rd round of the Norfolk Senior Cup.