Bloaters fall at the final hurdle

In a first half dominated by Brightlingsea, Danny Cable had to make several crucial saves. (Image: Steve Wood Photography)

Plucky Yarmouth Town missed out on winning their first trophy in a decade as they lost the Thurlow Nunn Division One KO Cup final by the odd goal to newly-promoted promoted Brightlingsea Regent at Diss on Friday night.

Leighton Crux takes on two Brightlingsea players as he sets up another raid down the wing (Image: Steve Wood Photography)

Brightlingsea had the first chance, a free-kick taken by Whittaker was expertly tipped over by Danny Cable in the Yarmouth goal, writes COLIN JONES.

Cable again kept the Norfolk side in the game just before the quarter hour mark, from the resulting corner there was a scramble in the Yarmouth box but the ball was cleared away.

It was not just one-way traffic though as Joel Watts appeared to dally too long on the ball but instead he beat two players to slide the ball forward to Leghton Crux, his flick found Mitch Forbes through on goal but the forwards powerful effort hit the outside of the post.

The Yarmouth woodwork then had a scare as a shot from Rymer out of nothing, whacked the post. Again Cable was the hero as he pulled off two excellent saves in quick succession to keep the scores level. Yarmouth had the next good chance, Crux and Watts again involved as a shot came in from the left, the Brightlingsea goalkeeper did well to gather as Yarmouth were looking to score from any spillage.

On the stroke of half-time Forbes and Watts linked up well, but Forbes’ eventual shot was driven wide.

Yarmouth came out of the blocks for the second half much the quicker team. Watts and Forbes again combined. This time it was Forbes turning provider but Watts’ first time shot was weak.

Then Robin Andersen crossed in from the left. Forbes shot but Watts inadvertently deflected the shot away from goal.

But then, during Yarmouth’s brightest spell of dominance, Brightlingsea scored. Cable rushing out, was outmuscled by Griggs who calmly slotted into the empty net from a distance. Yarmouth made their changes and tried to get back in the game but Brightlingsea were still creating the better chances, most notably when Cable made another superb save as the match entered injury time. The announcement of five minutes injury time from the fourth official gave Yarmouth an extra impetus and the team started to become more direct and put balls into the mixer but despite this, no real efforts were recorded on goal as Brightlingsea celebrate a promotion and cup double.

Yarmouth team: Danny Cable, Shaun Bartley (Joe Bryanton 80), Robin Andersen, Callum Jones, Neil McMorran, Jordan Forbes, Joel Watts, George Barnden (Connor Deeks 60), Mitch Forbes, Charlie McAra (Josh Thomas 74), Leighton Crux.

Booked: C Jones.