Acle United 0, Wroxham 5ACLE'S Norfolk Senior Cup dreams were dealt a cruel quarter-finals blow when the favourites and holders gave a clinical performance against the 10-man village side, whose best wasn't good enough.

Acle United 0, Wroxham 5

ACLE'S Norfolk Senior Cup dreams were dealt a cruel quarter-finals blow when the favourites and holders gave a clinical performance against the 10-man village side, whose best wasn't good enough.

The wide gap in class was plain to see for the large crowd and the media. But those who were hoping for the form book to be torn up were disappointed because after only 10 minutes the Anglian Combination side were reduced to 10 men when keeper Scott Foreman was dismissed.

He left the official no choice following his attempt to save at the feet of Andy Key, who got up to score the resulting spot kick past Ben Morgan who had taken over between the sticks.

This situation fired up the underdogs and for 30 minutes gave as good as they got as they took the game to their illustrious Ridgeons Premier visitors who revelled playing on the superb surface prepared by groundsman Gilbert.

After 36 minutes Acle went further behind as the Yachtsmen capitalised on a fortunate ricochet from a Cook shot that fell kindly to Wines, who steered the ball home.

Acle, minus both Thompson and Fruin who were cup-tied, found it difficult to create anything as the visitors made the most of their one man advantage and facing a substitute keeper. This situation virtually sealed the game although Acle at least continued to play their recognised football and keep the scoresheet respectable.

This was tested after 41 minutes when Andy Key cleverly created space in the area and from close range scored Wroxham's third. On half-time Key again scored No 4 with Acle's players unanimous it was offside. Key had proved to be the difference between the two sides at the break.

At half-time manager Ward used Crane up front in place of Didwell and brought on reserve central defender James Foreman in goal. The changes settled the side and allowed Acle to push men forward, but because of the early dismissal of young keeper Foreman the game was over as a contest and Acle were left to rue what might have been.

Wroxham's Seb Muddell was shown a straight red card for a two-footed lunge at Acle's Daniel Foreman.

Wroxham's fifth goal came from the penalty spot and Paul Cook, although James Foreman did get his hands to the ball but was unable to prevent it going over the line.

Acle are now out of all cup competitions but head the Anglian Combination Premier Division and can concentrate on the Sterry Cup.

Robin Tungate