11:57am Wednesday 3rd March 2010
FC CLACTON booked their place in the First Division Knockout Cup final after winning 3-0 at Gorleston.
The Seasiders will now take on either Halstead Town or Whitton United in the final at Diss Town.
Clacton manager David Coyle admitted his side’s midweek cup semi-final win was a huge tonic.
And he said the main heroes were his side’s defenders, who worked tirelessly to protect a three-goal half-time lead.
He said: “It wasn’t as straightforward as the score suggests.
“It wasn’t a battering, but it was well-deserved and we had to work hard for our victory.
“It was beyond our wildest dreams to be three-up by half-time.
“But to restrict quality opponents to just one weak shot on target shows how outstanding the defenders were.
“It’s a fantastic achievement to be in the final and I honestly don’t mind who we play.
“We’ve earned our right to be there after beating three top-six sides in Brantham, Saffron Walden and now Gorleston.
“After years of hard work, it’s so nice to be genuinely challenging for honours.
“A few years ago we couldn’t win a raffle, so to be where we are now - in a cup final and battling for promotion - is a huge compliment to everyone involved.”
Gregg Heighway, Matt Waters and an own goal paved the way to victory for Clacton at Emerald Park.
HALSTEAD TOWN thrashed Team Bury 7-0 to move up to fifth in Ridgeons League division one.
They put on a scintillating display that left the visitors absolutely shattered at Rosemary Lane.
Ray Turner bagged a hat-trick to make it 17 goals for the season, while young full-back Shane Stamp scored twice.
Town took the lead after just seven minutes when Turner headed in from Hyun Jin Lee’s cross.
It was no surprise when Halstead increased their lead on 19 minutes through Tom Webb following Lee Townrow’s defence-splitting pass.
Goalkeeper Ed Wootten made a splendid save to deny Andy Wood’s first-time effort, early in the second half.
But Lee rattled the upright before a superb dribble and finish by defender Stamp midway through the second half made it 3-0.
Stamp’s astute running made it 4-0 to Halstead with 15 minutes to go and Turner added a fifth, five minutes later.
Turner then completed his hat-trick before Townrow completed the scoring from the penalty spot late on, after Adam Rushen had been fouled in the box.
In Ryman League division one north, MALDON TOWN beat Great Wakering Rovers 3-1.
The victory followed hot on the heels of Town’s 5-1 triumph over Thamesmead, last weekend.
WIVENHOE TOWN’S match against FA Vase semi-finallists Wroxham was postponed because of an unfit pitch at Broad Lane.
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