Although the Bloaters drew first blood, Diss replied in devastating fashion with two bursts of two goals in quick time in each half. The pace and variety of the Diss attacks caught Yarmouth out though all their goals were short-range efforts and low crosses proved Yarmouth's undoing.

The ground was in fine shape and Norwich City's presentation of the match was first class. Yarmouth kicked off but the first danger came from Diss who won a second minute corner which Dale Vince put wide. Direct shots on goal were few but Lee Brown came close for Yarmouth with a shot after his throw-in came back to him off a Diss defender.

Danny Self started well in a right back position with some telling interceptions and neat footwork. His 12th minute free kick found the head of Mark Vincent in the Diss area but referee Russell Bird mysteriously halted the move with a Diss free kick.

The 40-year old Vincent then had a shot which just cleared the bar before Diss won a couple more corners, the second of which saw Nick Banham push the ball away.

In the 18th minute, Self produced a good crossfield ball for Kevin Howes but the striker was a bit too slow to reach it by the far post, then Neil Bilham won Yarmouth's first corner.

Midway through the half Diss exerted some ferocious pressure on the Yarmouth goal and Banham did well in diving amongst the flying boots but a goalkick ended the move.

Rob George had not yet been able to make a telling contribution to the game despite a couple of his familiar runs and now he stumbled and lost the ball in midfield when an opening looked on. Diss won a free kick just outside the Yarmouth box when Lee Gilman was foiled by Jodie Harrison: Matty Wright's kick curled two inches over the bar.

The Diss supporters were in fine voice and nearly had something definite to shout about but Danny White's three yard poke went wide before Yarmouth took the lead in the 32nd minute: George sent a cross in deep to the far post where Howes rose unchallenged to beat Nathan Pauling with a well-placed header.

The reverse stung Diss into life and Andy Key and Matthew Joynson figured in the next moves. Joynson was having good time on the Diss right against Lee Brown and his crosses were a major danger to Yarmouth. It was frtom one such that Diss equalised: Brown was beaten for pace by Joynson whose cross was turned in by Gilman. George fouled Ricky Cornish and the Diss defender needed treatment; this brought manager Robert Fleck, back on familiar ground, into action with some vigorous complaints to the Yarmouth player and the referee.

A few minutes later he was even more animated as Diss took the lead: Banham lost the ball as Coren Hardy and Joynson worked another cross and Gilman scored his second of the game to give Diss the interval lead.

Yarmouth made strenuous efforts to pull back the deficit with Self, Brown and captain Lee Humphreys all having efforts early in the half, though none of them really troubled Pauling. Hardy had Diss' first shot of the half but was well over from a neat build-up, then Gilman headed wide from a fee kick.

Yarmouth won a rare corner but Self's kick was headed onto the roof of the net by Howes. George then had a shot on the run after a return pass from Howes.

Two goals in a minute around the hour mark put an end to the Bloaters hopes of reversing the results of their past two finals. Both were scored by Hardy, the first looked like a cross which somehow went in the net via Banham's body, the second a minute later a header from the diminutive striker that had Banham tumbling into the back of the goal and then needing the attentions of physios Terry and Elaine before play could resume.

Diss were now well on top and Yarmouth's weak efforts caused no concern to Pauling who caught everything they threw at him.

Bilham was clattered into the advertising hoardings by Leighton Miller, giving more work for the physios before manager Paul Tong brought on all three substitutes in an effort to pep his side. However, it was Diss should have added to their score but Gilman took a fraction too long in shooting then the same player fired over from 20 yards before he was substituted by ex-Bloater Josh Barzey. Barzey's first touch was not a good one and Yarmouth raced away to win a corner through Neil Adcock. Michael Tierney won a couple of good tackles but then proceeded to lose the ball. Diss then won two late corners but there were no further goals and Diss captain Wright stepped up to receive the trophy with Yarmouth taking runners-up place once again.

Yarmouth - Banham, Self, Brown, Harrison, Vincent, Pierpoint, Drake, George, Howes, Bilham, Humphreys. Subs: Adcock, Tierney, Darby.

Diss - Pauling, Miller, Cornish, Joynson, Richards, Wright, Vince, White, Key, Hardy, Gilman. Subs: Taylor, Simpson, Barzey.

Attendance: 1537

Man of the Match: Coren Hardy

A Rob George shot across goal gave Bury early warning of Yarmouth's intentions before the Bloaters took a third minute lead: Kevin Howes netted from a Grant Pierpoint through ball, finishing with aplomb from 12yards. Ian Stringfellow was unlucky not to equalise when a cross by Tatham landed at his feet but Nick Banham saved with his legs and the rebound fell fortunately to Alan Darby who cleared.

Lee Humphreys went close for the Bloaters before Bury won a free kick on the edge of the Yarmouth area and only an Alan Darby header prevented Steve McGavin equalising. McGavin was making his debut for the Suffolk outfit and showed all the skills perfected while he was with Sudbury, Colchester and Wycombe.

Then some brilliant attacking from Yarmouth won a penalty as Humphreys was fouled in the box. The Yarmouth captain stepped up to take the kick but amazingly shot straight at keeper Francis who held the shot; it was Humphreys' first-ever penalty miss for Yarmouth. Both teams then had chances before the interval but good keeping and last-ditch defending prevented any further scores.

Bury really bossed the second half and Yarmouth attacks were few. The home team equalised after 55 minutes when McGavin created havoc on the left hand side and his cross found Stringfellow who smashed the ball past Banham.

George went close with a shot that went just past a post after a typical run at the defence. Bury looked dangerous on the break but Yarmouth defended well in numbers. Howes and Adcock had Yarmouth's only other worthwhile attempts of the half. Bury had a last chance to steal all the points when Andy Ince ran through the centre but he blasted the ball wide, to the relief of the Bloaters.

Yarmouth - Banham, Harrison, Darby, Shade, Vincent, Pierpoint, Self. R George, Tierney, Howes, Humphreys. Subs: L Brown, Drake (n/u), Adcock, Winkworth (n/u), Thornton (n/u). Attendance: 51.

Goalkeeper Nick Banham was the Yarmouth hero as the Bloaters reached their second cup final of the season. Stand-in captain in the absence of Lee Humphreys, Banham made save after save, particularly in the first half, to deny the eager Mildenhall side and deservedly won the RenaultMaster Man of the Match award.

A timetable of Banham's principal first-half saves: 6 mins. turned aside for a corner a shot by Mitchell-King after a free kick; 10 held a dipping cross from Reeder; 13 touched over an Alliss header for a corner; 18 save from Alliss' low shot (corner); 19 shot from Mitchell-King turned round a post (corner); 28 Saved curling shot from Walker; 35 picked up strong low shot from Bennett;

Totally against the run of play Yarmouth took a 2-0 lead in at half time, thanks to Banham's heroics and goals from Danny Self and Kevin Howes; Self's strike was a carbon-copy of his goal against Swaffham in the previous round, a free kick from just outside the penalty area. This came in the 36th minute and amazingly Yarmouth scored again on the stroke of half-time when Howes lashed home a well-worked goal after he had sent the ball out to Neil Bilham on the right and got on the end of the return ball into the box.

As well as Humphreys, Shade, Pierpoint and Vincent were all missing for one reason or another, but youngster Will Lewis from the Youth team performed superbly in the heart of the defence on his first senior start.

Nathan Drake conceded a penalty for a foul on Rob Alliss just after half time, the spot kick being converted by Warren Taylor, but Yarmouth had more possession in the second period and Banham had only one direct shot to deal with as the Bloaters comfortably held out to meet Harwich, 8-2 winners over Haverhill in the other semi-final, in the May 10th final.

"Considering the side we put out," commented manager Paul Tong, "it just showed how eleven players can work for each other. We saw some quality keeping and finishing tonight plus plenty of commitment and passion. Credit also to Will Lewis who came in for his first start and gave a very competent display."

Yarmouth - Banham, Harrison, Drake, Brown, Lewis, Self, Bilham, R George, Adcock, Howes, Winkworth. Subs: Tierney, M George (n/u), Etchells (n/u). Attendance: 68.

Two identical headers from Mark Jimson condemned the Bloaters to their first defeat in six games but maintained the Fenmen's fine run of form. Yarmouth dropped two places to tenth.

Both teams were at near full strength, Wisbech being without Paul Hill (suspended) and Yarmouth still missing Mark Vincent with the knee injury he sustained in the Senior Cup semi-final, though he was at the match assisting Paul Tong.

Wisbech kicked off into bright sunshine and with both teams enjoying good runs a keenly contested game was anticipated. This looked to be the case as both teams won a couple of corners in the first five minutes.

Jan Pledger made the first of many fine stops when he just beat Rob George to a Neil Adcock cross before Wisbech took a 15th minute lead. A free kick in front of the Yarmouth goal was taken by Mark Jimson but was deflected for a corner. Simon Flanz took the kick and Jimson at the far post rose above everybody to direct his header just inside the post.

Yarmouth won their first corner after 21 minutes, taken by George; his kick was punched away by Pledger and when George returned the loose ball high into the box the Wisbech keeper made a good catch. Grant Pierpoint was booked in the 26th minute for a foul on Scott Johnson near the centre circle and Yarmouth came close to an equaliser a minute later but Howes header from an Adcock cross was taken by Pledger.

At the other end, Lee Brown did well to head away a Jason Sedlan centre after a fine run down the left, but Pledger was soon in action again, denying George another shooting chance, this time from Lee Humphreys pass across the area.

After 34 minutes, George saw another shot saved by a diving Pledger, then Wisbech had their best chance to increase the lead but Nick Banham parried a close-range shot from Tom Chilton whose follow-up effort went over the bar from six yards out. The crowd behind the goal yelled for a penalty just before half time but referee Symonds was having none of it.

The second half opened relatively quietly, but sprung into life in the 57th minute when Michael Shade was booked for a foul and from the free kick Wisbech went 2-0 up as Jimson produced an almost identical header at the far post for his and Wisbech's second goal of the game.

Wisbech now looked comfortably in control of the midfield yet Yarmouth made Pledger the busier of the two keepers from breakaway attacks. Apart from the two goals, vital as they were, the Yarmouth defence had missed nothing and Banham was not unduly troubled otherwise.

Brown and Danny Self were replaced by Kevin Winkworth and Neil Bilham after an hours play and it was Howes and Adcock who immediately worked a chance for Winkworth but he scuffed his shot. Pledger then made a good save from a Humphreys shot.

The Wisbech keeper continued to deny Yarmouth with Howes missing two good chances, one of which saw Pledger push a shot onto the inside of a post. Seekling a change of fortune in front of goal, manager Tong brought on Michael Tierney for Pierpoint as a slightly more attacking option, but the youngster fared no better than the rest of his colleagues.

Banham saw some action when he plucked a corner out of the air but Pledger again saved Wisbech when he finger-tipped an angled Adcock shot away for a corner in the 86th minute. Wisbech then missed their best chance of a third goal when Chilton completely failed to make contact with a low cross to the far post after 88 minutes.

"We wouldn't have scored if we'd played all night," lamented Tong: "we had six good chances and I didn't think we deserved to lose. Their keeper made several good saves. I was hoping we'd get away with a draw but we gave them too much respect in the first twenty minutes when they scored the vital early goal. I was disappointed for the players - they'll play a lot worse and win!"

Yarmouth - Banham, Harrison, Drake, Brown, Shade, Pierpoint, Self, George, Adcock, Howes, Humphreys. Subs: Bilham, Winkworth, Tierney. Attendance 238

Millennium Trophy 2nd Round, Tuesday 11th March

Yarmouth won through to their second semi-final of the season, but made hard work of the game against First Division Swaffham. They came from behind in the first half and it was not until extra time that the Bloaters finally went ahead.

Without either Michael Shade and Grant Pierpoint, absent through work commitments, manager Paul Tong included Michael Tierney in defence while Neil Adcock returned to the bench where he was accompanied by youth players Mark George and Will Lewis.

Swaffham took a 15th minute lead through Andrew Ashby and might have gone two-up if Kevin Winkworth had not been well-placed to kick off the line as the defence was breached once again.

But Yarmouth drew level after 31 minutes when Danny Self placed a superb 20 yard free kick beyond the reach of John Higgs in the Swaffham goal.

The game was then short of much goalmouth excitement until the 54th minute when Rob George let fly with a 30 yard effort that flew just past a post. Substitute Adcock then came on and pepped the play. He was well-positioned to take a good through ball from George but Higgs just beat the substitute to it. Howes then set Adcock off on a chase to the byline but the ball won that one.

A fierce shot from Adam Seal then went wide in a rare Swaffham attack.

Nick Banham launched a huge clearance to Adcock who raced to the Swaffham byline again and this time got in a good cross but two Yarmouth players hampered each other at the far post. This was in the 77th minute and a few minutes later Adcock was again causing the visiting defence problems but Higgs just managed to smother the ball at his feet.

Swaffham's Tom Rainford then did well to rob Self but his centre was too long for his colleagues, and when a Swaffham corner was headed out by George, Stuart Scales' dipping return just cleared the bar.

With time running out, Howes launched a good pass to Neil Bilham, who was having a lively game, but he lost the ball under challenge from a defender. Mark George then came on for his third appearance of the season as Winkworth went off with an ankle knock.

Two extra time goals put Yarmouth in the semi-finals next week against Mildenhall. After seven of the extra thirty, Rob George lobbed a high ball into the goalmouth where Higgs made a mess of it and could only help the ball into his own net. After 25 minutes a cracking drive from Bilham was parried by Higgs and at the other end Jamie Miller hit the base of a post with Banham beaten. However in the next minute Yarmouth made the game safe with a third goal from Adcock and Yarmouth played out time with confidence. Will Lewis played the whole of the second period of extra time.

Yarmouth - Banham, Drake, L Brown, Tierney, Harrison, Winkworth, Self. R George, Bilham, Howes, Humphreys. Subs: Adcock, Lewis, M George. Attendance: 33

KINGS LYNN RES. 1-3 BLOATERS

Norfolk Senior Cup Semi-Final, Tuesday 25th February

A dismal first half showing from Yarmouth was followed by a second half of such contrast that it looked like a different team. The young Linnets took a 20th minute lead through Paul Watts and were in control for all the half. Yarmouth stood off and allowed them to play, though in truth Nick Banham was rarely seriously troubled.

He had one difficult shot to deal with after nine minutes when a diving save led to a Lynn corner.

Former Yarmouth favourite Mario Davids played well on the Lynn left and had a great chance of a second Lynn goal just before the interval but put his free header from ten yards over the bar. Yarmouth's attacking play was very wayward and their only real sniff of a goal came after 18 minutes when Neil Adcock's shot was cleared off the line by Lewis Blois. Mark Vincent had to be taken off after 24 minutes with a knee injury after a fall, Lee Brown substituting and going into midfield where he did a fine job.

After a bit of a talking to from manager Paul Tong at half time, Yarmouth came out for the second half all fired up and ran the rest of the game. Kevin Howes had come in for some special criticism from Tong but immediately rammed the manager's words back down his throat with two goals in as many minutes around the 52 minute mark. Both were close-range headers, the first from Rob George's corner, the second from another of Michael Tierney's long throws which proved a constant menace to the home side.

The Linnets had lost their way and Yarmouth did not give them any more chances to play their own game. After an hour's play George completely missed a great opportunity for a third Yarmouth goal when from only two yards out he completely failed to connect with another of Tierney's throws.

Lynn did force a couple of attacks after 63 minutes, the first of which saw Watts shoot over from 25 yards with Banham punching away from the second, a cross from Tom Doughty. Davids was then substituted, as was the ineffective Adcock in favour of Neil Bilham. Lynn continued to create some danger and Banham came well out of his goal on a couple of occasions to clear threatened chances.

Persistence from Howes presented Bilham with an opportunity which he volleyed over from the edge of the box. A horrendous mix-up in the Bloaters defence nearly gave the Linnets a chance but Banham once again advanced to the edge of his area to kick clear.

After 79 minutes a George free kick was well-placed but Nobes saved. Pierpoint shot over, then Howes had a shooting chance for his hat-trick which went narrowly wide. Then in the 84th minute came the goal of the game. George picked up the ball in his own half and went on one of his runs. He moved smoothly past several defenders into the Lynn area and shot firmly all on the ground past Nobes for 3-1. Winkworth came on for Howes for the last six minutes and Lynn sought a consolation second goal which however wouldn't come, and Yarmouth were in the final for the third consecutive year!

Yarmouth - Banham, Harrison, Drake, Shade, Vincent, Pierpoint, Adcock, R George, Tierney, Howes, Humphreys. Subs: L Brown, Winkworth, Bilham. Attendance: 325.

NewsFile 

Yarmouth kicked off into the bright springlike sunshine and were the first to threaten in the fifth minute when Neil Bilham was forced wide but nevertheless got in his cross which was however headed wide by Kevin Howes. Bilham was making a bright start, as he did last week, but when he beat Cattermole to a high ball his header was straight at Gould in the visitors' goal.

Clacton won a couple of corners after ten minutes, then Nick Banham held on well to a firmly struck effort from all of 35 yards from the Clacton right. After 15 minutes Bilham was again forced wide by Gould but this time his cross did not find a home player.

From Clacton's third corner, the clearance found Rob George who ran the length of the pitch to cross to the unmarked Bilham at the far post but instead of bursting the net he knocked the ball tamely wide.

Against the run of play, Clacton took a 24th minute lead; a cross-shot from Lenny Pack smacked off the crossbar and the unmarked Sean Hillier poked the ball home as a startled Banham tried to kick clear. Four minutes later, Grant Pierpoint, in an unfamiliar number nine shirt, made a shooting chance for himself in the Clacton area, but his attempted lob fell just over the bar.

A period of dull play followed, punctuated by free kicks and long balls forward; there was little excitement until Bilham took an elbow in the face but the referee saw nothing wrong and Bilham continued without treatment. Just before half time, a long ball in the inside left channel caught Banham in two minds but Lee Brown saved the day with a timely interception.

Michael Tierney replaced Kevin Winkworth at half time with George moving to the front line but it was again Bilham who threatened when he burst through the middle but saw his shot pass agonisingly wide of the keeper's right hand post. Immediately at the other end, Steve Williams also put a shot wide with the goal seemingly at his mercy.

In the 56th minute, Neil Adcock was sent on for Bilham with George moving back into midfield, but Yarmouth still lacked in the final ball and it was Clacton who scored again. In the 63rd minute Sean Hillier, who was proving quite a handful, shot across the Yarmouth goal and in attempting to clear Nathan Drake could only help the ball into the net.

A minute later, Humphreys looked to have created a chance when he chased a ball out to the corner flag pursued by the Clacton keeper. The Yarmouth skipper's ball to Tierney was wasted when the substitute's miscued shot went out by the far corner flag! Then two minutes further on, Howes' shot bounced off the underside of the bar and over the line but referee Tyne had already blown for offside.

Humphreys was working hard to get the side going but despite the introduction of the fresh young legs of Robert Southern (for Pierpoint), Yarmouth's efforts of the last twenty minutes were for nought as a stubborn Clacton held on for three invaluable points, though they still remained third from bottom of the Premier Division table. This was only Clacton's third game in the last 12 weeks because of problems with their pitch but you wouldn't have known it from their performance today.

Line-up: Banham, Harrison, L Brown, Drake, Vincent, Winkworth, Bilham, R George, Pierpoint, Howes, Humphreys. Subs: Adcock, Tierney, Southern. Attendance: 81.

Kevin Howes first goal since October 8th, and since he returned from injury, gained Yarmouth a hard-earned point against fifth placed Soham. It equalised a header from Soham's Stephen Bugg in the 12th minute.

With midfielders Lee Humphreys and Grant Pierpoint missing through suspensions, Robert George dropped back into midfield where he was joined by Mike Tierney while Kevin Howes was restored to the front line to partner Neil Bilham.

Yarmouth threatened first through Howes who appeared to be brought down near the Soham goalline but a corner was given. Soham were next to win a corner when a Hinde shot was deflected. A great ball from Bilham found Kevin Winkworth but he was tackled out of a shooting chance.

Soham moved ahead on 12 minutes. With Yarmouth committed to attack the dangerous Ozzie Foster crossed from the right and Stephen Bugg had all the time in the world to direct a firm header past Nick Banham in goal. Michael Shade had a great chance for an equaliser two minutes later but he scuffed his shot wide from two yards out after a corner found him at the back post. Winkworth was not having the best of games and wasted some good work by Bilham before seeing a low shot go straight to Ben Webster in the Soham goal.

Yarmouth survived appeals for a penalty as Bugg went over in the area then, in an end-to-end game, Howes won a free kick on the edge of the Soham box but Winkworth's shot went well over. Michael Simpson produced some fancy footwork in the 26th minute but Mark Vincent headed away the final header from the cross.

A fine spell of Yarmouth pressure finally produced an equaliser in the 31st minute: Tierney threaded his way through and when his ball out to Winkworth was returned to the penalty area there was Howes perfectly placed in the centre of goal for his 7th of the season.

After the goals it was a cut-and-thrust affair, with Banham the busier of the two keepers as Soham seemed to adapt to the heavy conditions better than the Bloaters. However, real goal chances were few though George did a real defender's job in clearing off the goal line with Banham beaten for once in the 36th minute, the last significant action of the half.

After the interval Bugg was again on target with a strong shot but Banham saved well before Tommy Crawford went on a mazy run that eventually produced a corner. Neil Adcock replaced the disappointing Winkworth but Banham was the next keeper called into action, touching over a corner then pushing away the kick when it came over.

Soham were beginning to get on top and little was seen of the Bloaters as an attacking force with Andrew Chatters, Peter Hinde and substitute Mark Kingston all having chances, the latter hitting the side netting from just five yards out immediately after coming on in the 75th minute.

The game was then held up for several minutes after Lee Brown and Hinde clashed heads on the edge of the Soham box. Bilham was proving tenacious with some skilled work which however went to waste but he was the next Yarmouth player to be subbed having sustained a groin injury: Simon Jackson came on for his first appearance since December 7th.

Yarmouth's best attempt at goal in the second half was again from Howes, but his 18 yard low shot six minutes from the end was well taken by the diving Ben Webster. Howes was then booked for the second consecutive match for a pointless foul. In time added on, Mark Vincent cleared a close-range shot off the Yarmouth line.

Yarmouth were the happier side at taking a point from the game: "They were a tough side to beat and I think it was a point gained rather than two lost," said manager Paul Tong. Soham's manager Kevin Pritchard was of the opposite opinion, but at least he was consoled by the fact that teams above them dropped points too though nobody outside the top three of Sudbury, Wroxham and Lowestoft have any chance of challenging for the title.

Yarmouth: Banham, Harrison, L Brown, Shade, Vincent, Drake, Bilham, R George, Tierney, Howes, Winkworth. Subs: Adcock, Jackson. Attendance: 69

Norfolk Senior Cup 4th Round Replay, Sat. 18th Jan.

Yarmouth smashed their way past Blofield in their Senior Cup replay and now meet Kings Lynn Reserves in the semi-finals on February 1st at The Walks.

Two-goal Robert George was the Bloaters' hero and man-of-the-match with a performance of skill and bravado. His second goal was sensational - a 35 yard lob that beat Shaun Bunn all ends up; his delight was evident as he raced over to receive the congratulations of manager Paul Tong.

This goal put Yarmouth three-up soon after the interval and there was to be no way back for a disappointing Blofield outfit who only once tested Yarmouth keeper Nick Banham with a shot he finger-tipped over the bar. Gone was the fight and teamwork of last week as the Anglian Combination side were completely dominated from the start by a rampant Yarmouth team.

Neither keeper was tested in the first quarter of an hour but then Yarmouth made the breakthrough after 126 minutes of the tie. Michael Tierney linked up well down the left and that man George nipped in at the near post just ahead of Bunn to give Yarmouth the lead they deserved.

Bunn produced a number of significant saves to deny George, in particular, though Yarmouth did play into his hands by overhitting the ball at times. Tierney's long throws gave the home defence some problems and it was to be a great performance by the youngster still searching for his first goal.

The second goal of the tie came via the penalty spot right on half-time. Yarmouth were awarded a corner but before it could be taken Blofield were reduced to ten men once again as former Norwich City star Greg Downs was double yellow-carded and thus sent off after persistent arguing with referee Clitheroe. When the corner came over Grant Pierpoint was fouled by Davidson and Lee Humphreys stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick.

George's second goal took away whatever fight there was left in Blofield. Immediately Mark Vincent was replaced by Kevin Howes with Michael Shade dropping back into the defence. The Blofield goal survived a barrage before the homesters won a rare corner which was headed clear by Howes. Howes was then bizarrely booked for putting the ball into the Blofield net after having been adjudged offside.

The Bloaters were now constantly on the attack as the village side tired and they went four up through a 66th minute own goal. Pierpoint found himself free on the right and, beating the offside trap, centred to the near post where Howes, Bunn and Davidson all scrapped for the ball, the latter getting the final touch, unfortunately for him. 

Kevin Winkworth then replaced Neil Bilham and George tried another audacious lob from distance but was out of luck this time. Neil Adcock came on for Tierney but there was to be no relief for a hard-pressed Blofield. Yarmouth added a fifth goal five minutes from time through substitute Winkworth who found himself with time and space in the centre to advance and beat Bunn with cool aplomb. As in the first match, Banham was almost completely unemployed and in the second half had only one save to make, an easy pick-up from a Stuart Parsons shot.

Yarmouth - Banham, Harrison, L Brown, Shade, Vincent, Pierpoint, Drake, R George, Tierney, Bilham, Humphreys. Subs: Howes, Adcock, Winkworth. Attendance: 200 (estimated).

Yarmouth and Blofield will have to try all over again next Saturday at Blofield (KO 1.15pm) for the right to entertain either Kings Lynn Reserves or Norwich United in the Senior Cup Semi-Final on February 1st.

Even the sensational sending off of Blofield's Fraser Williams, for kicking the ball at the referee in the interim between the end of normal time and the start of extra time, could not inspire Yarmouth to find a winner.

There was a healthy buzz of anticipation amongst the 138 spectators, the gate swollen by football fans looking for a game when most other local fixtures had been frozen out.

Yarmouth had the first chance of note when a Howes effort was scrambled off the line after five minutes, then Blofield's Williams was booked for kicking the ball away after a free kick was awarded against him. Lee Humphreys soon followed Williams into referee Clitheroe's book for a foul. Rob George had a run but when he was blocked Michael Shade, following up, saw his weak shot cleared by Bunn in the visitors goal. Generally though there were few chances to excite the cold crowd.

Rob George again forced an attack and demanded a double save from Bunn as Yarmouth dominated the exchanges without really threatening to score. An unfortunate incident in the 24th minute saw another Blofield player booked. Howes took a swing at the ball and completely missed but caught Blofield's Parsons who retaliated and suffered the consequences.

Neil Adcock headed wide from five yards but Yarmouth's strikers had done little to earn that name while keeper Nick Banham might have stayed at home for all the work he was called upon to do. George, having got free of the Blofield defence, might have had better luck after 33 minutes had he took the ball on instead of electing to shoot from 30 yards. Bunn was having difficulty in catching the ball from the many George corners but got away with it. Parsons then created a few moments of havoc but eventually shot well wide after a second Blofield corner. Lee Brown then replaced Grant Pierpoint who had sustained a slight knock.

Adcock shot through a ruck of players after 39 minutes but Bunn got down easily to save. Shade then evened up the bookings to 2-2 after a foul. Kevin Winkworth at last got the ball free on the left but Howes was felled as he went for the cross and a less than entertaining first half drew to a close.

Play continued scrappily in the second half though Bunn caused a scare when he raced 30 yards from his goal to clear a throughball; then former Yarmouth favourite Greg Downs cleared from in front of a post. However, the brilliant sunset outshone the players on the pitch, while another diversion from the dire match was spotting the ex-Yarmouth players amongst the crowd, Ratty Armes, Scott McIntosh and Neil Prior being noticed by this reporter.

Neil Bilham and Michael Tierney replaced Winkworth and Adcock and play livened up a bit for Yarmouth. After 63 minutes Bunn needed two attempts to keep out another George corner. Blofield always looked dangerous when on the break but Wright might have done better than repeat George's first half error of shooting from distance.

On 77 minutes George was again in the action as he zipped past Downs only for his cross to be out of reach of the strikers who had been slow to keep up. Blofield substitute Barker headed over at the far post as the visitors broke once more, aided by an unintended intervention by the referee who had taken a tumble to ironic cheers from the crowd!

Banham was then called upon to make his only save of note when he turned aside an 82nd minute close-range effort from Marshall. Four minutes from the end Lee Humphreys produced a great cross from a throw-in but Howes' reaction shot on the turn was just over.

Blofield played the whole of the extra period with ten men following Williams dismissal but you wouldn't have known it such was their determination and teamwork. Yarmouth dominated these late proceedings but had only two real chances, one being cleared off the line after 98 minutes, and Howes missing at the far post three minutes into the second part of extra time.

Bunn - a former Yarmouth player - had an inspired game as he kept the Bloaters at bay while former Yarmouth favourite - and ex-Norwich City star - Greg Downs although beaten for pace on occasions did a fine defensive job for the visitors who now fancy their chances next Saturday: "If Yarmouth think they're coming to Blofield and have an easy ride, I can assure them that they won't because our boys are on a high. As ever, I'm confident we can win," said Blofield manager Paddy Murphy.

Yarmouth boss Paul Tong commented: "I'm just pleased we live to fight another day. I was impressed with Blofield's workrate, and all credit to them, they were hard to break down and Bunn did well to dominate his area. We didn't create many opportunities and they had the best chance late on."

Jewson Premier Division, Thurs. 26th December

On a very wet pitch which needed a morning inspection and work on it before play could begin both sets of players did well despite a number of bookings. "I felt the referee did not allow for the conditions as well as he might," commented Bloaters boss Paul Tong; "I felt he could have used a bit more common sense."

A goal apiece within six minutes of each other ensured yet another derby draw. Lee Humphreys put Yarmouth ahead in the 68th minute while Gary Ingram equalised shortly after when a needless free kick was conceded.

"There was a lot of passion, but not a lot of football," said Tong after seeing his side bested by Gorleston in the first half. Neil Adcock had Yarmouth's best chance of the half but with the goal in his sights panicked and shot too early from distance. Nick Banham made some outstanding blocks and the defence did very well all told. Unfortunately the strikers were not at their best.

Neil Bilham and Michael Tierney replaced Kristian Jones and Adcock at half time and the Bloaters began to get into the game more in the second half: they took the lead when Lee Humphreys free kick was misjudged by Sean Cooper in the Gorleston goal and the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Six minutes later from a scrum on the edge of the Yarmouth box Ingram got a final touch for the equaliser.

"It was disappointing of course," said Paul Tong, "but I didn't think we deserved to hold on to the lead and it would have been an injustice to Gorleston if they hadn't got something from the game. For us I thought Nick Banham and Nathan Drake were outstanding, but Michael Shade and Grant Pierpoint also did well in midfield."

The match preamble had an interesting moment when Father Christmas led the teams out (for further information refer to chairman Arthur Fisk)!

Yarmouth - Banham, Harrison, Drake, Shade, Vincent, Pierpoint, Winkworth, R George, Jones, Adcock, Humphreys. Subs: Howes, Bilham, Tierney. Attendance: 548.

Goals from Rob George, Grant Pierpoint and an opponent ended Yarmouth's mini-slump of four games without a win on Saturday.

On a glue pot of a pitch, that needed a morning inspection, the Bloaters used the conditions better to record their fifth away Jewson win.

With Pierpoint playing particularly well - he was involved in all three goals - Yarmouth took a 25th minute lead: Pierpoint put George through and the ex-Norwich City Reserve player went down the line, beat a defender and cut inside to hit his shot over the keeper and into the net.

Nick Banham produced a good save from a free header, then ten minutes later a four-man move involving Michael Tierney, Pierpoint, Neil Bilham and Neil Adcock ended with Pierpoint doubling the lead when he got on the end of the cross from Adcock and scored from just inside the Histon box.

Histon attacked strongly from the restart and pulled one back six minutes into the second half when Sean Audley headed in a free kick at the far post but Yarmouth weathered the storm and an own goal by a home defender harrassed by Bilham after a Pierpoint through-ball put Yarmouth 3-1 ahead.

A Dave Toombs penalty ten minutes from time, awarded for a foul by Jody Harrison, gave Yarmouth boss Paul Tong an anxious last few minutes but despite some concerted Histon pressure Yarmouth held out, thanks in part to a tremendous Nick Banham save, and to some strout defending by Lee Brown, on as substitute for Nathan Drake.

"Histon were a good, young side and gave us a tough game," commented Tong; "really, the game could have gone either way and we were perhaps a bit fortunate to win, but you take your chances and this time we were just good enough.

"We had lost Howes with flu, and Thompson was unavailable, but Bilham and Adcock did very well up front for us, and Drake was a tower of strength at the back."

Yarmouth - Banham, Harrison, Drake, Tierney, Vincent, Pierpoint, Winkworth, R George, Adcock, Bilham, Humphreys. Subs: L Brown, Parfitt. Attendance: 75.

Without the injured Michael Shade and Grant Pierpoint, Yarmouth lost an at times ill-tempered affair at Plantation Park. They were further hampered by the loss of former United player Dean Parfitt with a broken nose only ten minutes into the game, the result of an elbow in the face that went unpunished.

United fielded a trio of ex-Yarmouth players in Cooper, Prior and McIntosh and it was the latter who scored the winning goal, a close range header after an hour's play.

Nick Banham made a point-blank save in the 16th minute before United took a first half lead with a Hunton penalty after Murphy had been fouled by Lee Brown in the 25th minute.

Yarmouth chances were few but Mike Tierney had one in the 28th minute, though from Neil Bilham's pass he shot wide. Ten minutes later the United keeper was forced to punch away a goalbound shot as the Bloaters had a spell of pressure.

Scott Mcintosh was given a lecture for a foul on Harrison, then Yarmouth equalised in curious circumstances in first half injury time. A corner was mysteriously awarded the Bloaters when a Rob George shot flashed across the goalmouth and a throw-in should have been awarded; Woodcock palmed it away for another corner which Neil Adcock headed in while almost in the goal himself!

The second half started brightly for Yarmouth and was only ten minutes old when Kevin Howes came off the bench for another 40 minutes on his way to full fitness; however he was well-marked by the United defence and never had a clear chance on goal.

Murphy and Hunton were a lively combination for United and George was booked for bringing down Hunton on the byeline.

Lee Humphreys had a shooting chance in time added on but fired just over the bar. All in all, it was a very disappointing defeat by a club that Paul Tong used to manage.

Line-up - Banham, Harrison, L Brown, Parfitt, Vincent, Drake, D Brown, R George, Tierney, Bilham, Humphreys. Subs: Howes, Adcock, Jackson. Attendance - 88

Yarmouth's dream of a third successive Norfolk Senior Cup final lives on after they defeated the current holders. The fact that it was Wroxham who had beaten the Bloaters in last season's final made this victory all the sweeter.

The vital goal was scored after 18 minutes when a long ball out of defence found Neil Bilham who took advantage of a disastrous piece of defending by Damian Hilton to rifle home his shot from just inside the penalty area.

After the goal, Yarmouth's other hero, Nick Banham, took over as Wroxham rained shots in at his goal. Banham defied Wroxham's normally lethal forwards time and time again, and when he was beaten the goalposts came to Yarmouth's rescue.

Bilham had been included by Yarmouth manager Paul Tong to add pace up front as he considered Wroxham were a bit slow at the back. Also retaining his place was Michael Tierney and it was the young reserve striker who had the game's first chance after five minutes when Michael Shade's pass found him in the Wroxham penalty area but Parsons was able to deflect the shot up and the Wroxham keeper caught the ball as it fell.

Wroxham, however, went on to dominate the half with Shaun Howes and former Bloater Craig Lewis creating much down the left. The Yachtsmen really should have had the game sewn up by half time: Stock, Lemmon, Horton and Fox all saw good opportunities saved or miss the target and Banham produced the save of the match when he turned aside with his fingertips what looked a certain goal by Stock in the 35th minute. Banham was well-supported by Mark Vincent and Shade in the centre of the defence.

Yarmouth, forced back onto defence for most of the game, did however create a chance from a 26th minute free kick when a Tierney header tested Parsons but the keeper caught a lucky rebound; then after 40 minutes Parsons took a Rob George cross under pressure from Tierney.

The Wroxham miss parade continued after the interval and Yarmouth again had few chances but the best came again from Bilham who looked to have scored after 58 minutes but the ball ended up in the netting. Yarmouth substitutes Danny Brown and Neil Adcock came on around the hour mark, for Grant Pierpoint and Neil Bilham, and Adcock put in a strong run which was, however, halted on the edge of the Wroxham area.

Tierney, who had run himself into the ground, was then replaced by Jody Harrison with seventeen minutes to go. Wroxham's attempts grew more frantic as the game drew to a close and by the end the Yachtsmen were reduced to hopeful long shots as their best endeavours were denied by a close-marking Bloaters defence. In added time Nick Banham confirmed his man-of-the-match status with a brave dive at a forward's feet.

"We had a game plan and we stuck to it," said Tong: "it wasnt pretty but it was pretty effective. We worked hard and in the end frustrated them." [For more, see Newsfile]

Yarmouth, who have now beaten Wroxham twice this season, will meet Blofield United in the quarter-final at the Wellesley on January 4th.

Line-up: Yarmouth - Banham, Darby, L Brown, Shade, Vincent, Drake, Pierpoint, R George, Tierney, Bilham, Humphreys. Subs: D Brown, Harrison, Adcock. Attendance: 127

Jewson Premier Division, Tuesday 19th November

Neil Bilham and Danny Brown returned to the starting line-up, and there was also a starting place for the first time for young reserve striker Michael Tierney. Grant Pierpoint and Dean Parfitt both received knocks in the Wisbech game and were on the bench, while Alan Darby was preferred on this occasion to Jody Harrison at right back.

From the start, Yarmouth took the game to their Suffolk visitors, and Bilham and Tierney were always in the thick of the action around the Woodbridge goal. In the game's very first minute, Bilham got a searching cross in from the right but the opportunity went begging. Mark Vincent and Michael Shade joined the attack at corners and free kicks, and Vincent forced Glyn Dixon into a good save with a header after a long throw from Tierney. Another cross from Bilham was aimed at Tierney but a defender just got a boot in.

Both managers were in good voice, and it often seemed more a battle between them than a football match! Rob George, back in his usual midfield spot, found good space from a Danny Brown throw but only won a corner. However, the opening goal came from George in the 25th minute: he broke clear of the Woodbridge defence and slotted home past the advancing Dixon for his sixth of the season, making him joint top scorer with Neil Adcock and the now-departed Nathan Thompson.

Tierney was enjoying acres of space but in the 29th minute from a tight situation he turned and sent in a good cross which was however cleared. Then Brown beat Matthew Hunt but was too slow in making it count and the defender recovered to block the effort.

Yarmouth were denied a penalty appeal in the 35th minute when Nathan Drake went down but there was no let up in the Yarmouth attacking and Bilham and Tierney continued to look dangerous. Neil Calver nearly caused a problem for the defence but Robbie Smythe's long shot did not, and when Nick Banham held Ben Miller's hot-shot Woodbridge must have sensed it was not going to be their night.

Yarmouth's domination continued after the restart and from the kick-off a corner was won which Vincent got his head to but the ball went up and over. Dixon dropped a sharp effort but recovered as Brown closed in. For Woodbridge, Jamie Scales fired wide from a free shot as the Bloaters were caught upfield. On the hour, Tierney made the miss of the match with only the keeper to beat when he latched on to a backpass, then Brown failed from another great Tierney cross.

Neil Adcock and Grant Pierpoint came on and the latter scored after 71 minutes from his first touch with a great breakaway shot from 18 yards. On 75 minutes, the long-awaited return of Kevin Howes took place, the striker replacing Tierney who had given his all. Adcock glanced a header wide, then Woodbridge had their best period with a couple of long shots, a free kick which Banham finger-tipped over, and an effort which the Yarmouth keeper punched clear.

Yarmouth put the result beyond all doubt when Adcock was upended in the 85th minute, Lee Humphreys despatching the spot-kick to make the score a respectable 3-0. There was a late chance for Woodbridge when Banham saved with his knees, then in time added on Pierpoint should have done better than volley over the bar with only Dixon to beat, admittedly from an acute angle.

"After Saturday's debacle, we changed things round a bit," said manager Paul Tong. "I brought Neil Bilham and Michael Tierney in and they played well: Tierney's perseverance will be a big asset.

"The attitude of the players left out was excellent and when they came on they did not let us down. Kevin Howes also had an excellent twenty minutes on his comeback from injury."

Line-up: Banham, Darby, L Brown, Shade, Vincent, Drake, Bilham, R George, D Brown, Tierney, Humphreys. Subs: Pierpoint, Harrison (n/u), Parfitt (n/u), Adcock, Howes. Attendance: 61.

BLOATERS 1-3 WISBECH TOWN

Jewson Premier Division, Sat. 16th November

This was another Wellesley Road horror show as the Bloaters suffered their third defeat in the last four home fixtures. Relegated Wisbech scored three times in the second half to overturn Yarmouth's first half lead given to them by Danny Brown who, preferred to Neil Adcock on this occasion, scored a wonderful goal five minutes before the break.

Wisbech kicked off in bright and dry overhead conditions, though the pitch was very wet. Nick Banham needed to be at his best to save fron Darren Jimson early on, and the Yarmouth 'keeper had a good first half. Rob George did well to beat Andy Coleman but shot over in the 12th minute. Dean Parfitt continues to show good form and had a header taken by Ian Pledger in the visitors' goal and from the clearance Jimson missed a sitter from three yards, hitting the post with virtually an open goal in front of him.

Yarmouth were continually frustrated by the Wisbech defence which had an easy time mopping up long high balls down the middle. Rob George got the ball in the net after 28 minutes but it did not count as the referee had spotted an infringement just before the shot. Grant Pierpoint then had to come off after 30 minutes with a knock, fit-again Neil Bilham taking his place.

Simon Flanz had a great effort well-taken by Banham in a 36th minute Wisbech breakaway, then just as the floodlights came on the goal that lit up the match finally arrived after 40 minutes: it was a superbly flighted lob from five yards inside the right hand touchline that beat the back-peddling Ian Pledger all ends up! It was a well-deserved goal for the striker who was sharper and more determined in his running and tackling than of late. Right on the half-time whistle, the alert George did well to get to a mishit back pass before Pledger but his first time effort flew inches wide.

However, Wisbech always looked capable of scoring, with their greater awareness and superior passing. The Fenmen duly equalised five minutes after the break with a low Scott Carter shot that deceived Nick Banham on the slippery surface. From then on, it looked ominous for the Bloaters as Wisbech dominated the possession. They took the lead on 61 minutes when Simon Flanz slotted home a ball from the right, and it was 3-1 after 84 minutes when, after parrying a shot, Banham was beaten to the rebound by former Peterborough United and England Youth striker Andy Furnell who netted unopposed.

Yarmouth had their chances, notably from Rob George (a free kick), Brown again (header, just over) and substitute Neil Bilham (from fellow substitute Michael Tierney's pass), but Wisbech were deserving winners in the end.

Line-up: Banham, Harrison, L Brown, Shade, Vincent, Pierpoint, Drake, R George, D Brown, Parfitt, Humphreys. Subs: Adcock, Bilham, Tierney. Attendance: 93