Scole reach last four of Norfolk Junior Cup
Scole United 7 Belton 2 (after extra-time)
Scole reached the semi-finals of the Norfolk Junior Cup for the first time in 15 years after beating Belton at the third attempt.
In truth, the very strong wind made the game a poor spectacle.
Scole started slightly the quicker, but found themselves one down when Darren Philpot made a clumsy tackle from behind and Belton tucked away the penalty. The Belton keeper then made an excellent save from Philpot's flick-on. Scole got an equaliser after half an hour when a David Bloomfield corner caused panic in the Belton defence and after some head tennis, Ben Cussons' header found the corner of the net.
Before half-time it was 2-1 to Scole. A long throw came from Cussons and when Adam Solley looked to flick it on, his marker pushed him from behind, resulting in a penalty. James Edwards' first attempt was saved by the keeper, but when the referee ordered a retake for encroachment, the big front man powered the second effort away.
Scole were told to start quickly in the second half, but did exactly the opposite. Almost as soon as the second half had started, a long Belton free-kick was nodded home.
Belton had a couple of half chances after this, but once again it was Scole who created and then wasted chances. Luke Ashford and Edwards were guilty of not pulling the trigger early enough and Cussons volleyed over from five yards and then 10 minutes later the same player hit the bar from very close range.
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With not long left, Nyle Barker was taken off and young Ben Norton-Hugman brought on, and the young midfielder was brilliant.
The game entered extra-time and it was here Scole's superior fitness proved. Five minutes into the first half of extra-time, Norton-Hugman received the ball and his flat cross was headed into the top corner by Cussons. In the second half of extra time it was all Scole. Cussons turned provider when his ball across the six-yard box was drilled home by Norton-Hugman to make it 4-2. It was completely one-way traffic now and Bloomfield scored a great goal when he jinked past two defenders and side-footed into the bottom corner.
Cussons then got his hat-trick before Joe Hancock crossed to the far post where Ashford scored with a brilliant volley to make it 7-2.
Scole now play last season's runners-up Reffley Royals, of King's Lynn, in the semi-finals.
