Though obviously disapp-ointed, Great Yarmouth Town boss Paul Tong said he was pleased and proud of his players despite their League Cup exit to Wroxham on Tuesday night, writes Gerry Brown.

Though obviously disapp-ointed, Great Yarmouth Town boss Paul Tong said he was pleased and proud of his players despite their League Cup exit to Wroxham on Tuesday night, writes Gerry Brown.

“They performed and did everything I asked of them,” he said; “I could not fault their commitment and desire, and Dominic Smith in midfield and Craig Roberts in defence were magnificent. Stewart Roach also made a difference when he went on.

“The lads gave everything they could and I thought we were the better side in the second half. But Wroxham showed their experience and quality in extra time. However, the three games against Wroxham will have given the team an insight into the standards that will be required of them if we go up.”

It looks like Liam Bartley will not be with the Bloaters should that happen as seven days' notice was received from Gorleston after the match and Tong seems certain he will go.

Bartley, who has scored 10 goals in 27 appearances for the Bloaters this season, came up with the Yarmouth U18 side and he was leading scorer in their whole League One season.

“We are sad to see him go as he was a valued member of the squad, but wish him well in his future,” said Tong. “I am still seeking to add to our squad and have a couple of players in mind -

one may well be with us on Saturday

at Halstead.”

Tomorrow, Yarmouth visit one of the pre-season promotion hopefuls, Halstead Town, who lost 6-0 in the league at Yarmouth before returning to win 3-0 in the Division One Knockout Cup last month.

On Tuesday, the Rosemary Lane outfit were held 0-0 by Thetford Town and are currently in seventh place with a lot to do to make up ground even on third place FC Clacton, being 15 points behind them with only two games in hand. They are 29 points behind table-toppers Yarmouth with six games in hand.

Yarmouth Reserves won their fourth game in a row with a superb 4-1 result at Stowmarket last Saturday, and return to the Wellesley tomorrow for a league game against Debenham LC Reserves (3pm). Yarmouth are currently fourth in the Reserves Northern Division, but could rise to second if results go right for them on Saturday.

The U18s have a home game with Bungay Town U18 on Wednesday (7.45pm).