Beccles plough on in cup

BECCLES earned a hard fought victory over their Metallic SRL Premier League hosts Capel Plough to reach the semi-finals of the Suffolk Senior Cup for only the third time in the club's history.

Ricci Wilson was the hero for Town with his stunning 25-yard free-kick the only difference between the two teams in a 2-1 win.

Beccles booked their semi-final tie against Leiston St Margaret at Kirkley FC on February 28 (ko 2.15pm).

It's back to league action tomorrow as a mouth-watering local derby awaits when Loddon United are the visitors to College Meadow (ko 2pm).

Beccles went into the wekend tie missing their two top scorers, Remblance through suspension and Hurren after his recent health scare.

Manager Broxup had to shuffle his pack and draft players in from the reserves. Keeper Cable kept his place in goal and was protected by the ever-present back four of McMorran, Barham, Wigg and Greengrass. Ricci Wilson regained a starting place in the three-man midfield along with Peters and Day.

Young Anthony Martin was given his chance to shine up front after his prolific scoring in the reserves, with Waterman and Woods operating either side of him.

Beccles putting the home side under constant early pressure and had two good chances. Martin flashed in a header which the keeper saved well, and Day's effort trickled just past a post.

Capel Plough broke on the counter-attack and forced Cable into a brilliant save. A Beccles attack broke down in midfield and Capel sprang the attack. An astute pass from a midfielder saw Sadilsands race through one-on-one, He drew Cable but the big man stood tall and saved the striker's effort well with an outstretched leg.

The Beccles midfield trio started to pull the strings, feeding the front three well. Wilson, in particular, was having a fine game on his return to first team action.

Martin up front on his first start of the season was causing the two home side's centre backs constant problems.

On 15 minutes Martin's strength and endeavour helped in the build-up to Town breaking the deadlock. He chased down a lost cause deep in the Capel half and held play up well before being up-ended by a defender. Waterman sent a delightful ball into the box straight onto the head of Martin, who powered his header past the stranded keeper for 1-0.

The game continued to be fought out in the midfield area, with Peters putting in his usual hard work and strong tackles, along with Day covering every blade of grass.

Beccles were vunerable to the counter-attack but Wigg and captain Barham dealt with what came at them.

On 32 minutes Capel equaised after full back Dorward got round Greengrass to send in an inviting ball for the unmarked Donovon to header back across Cable into the back of the net.

Beccles soon re-gained the lead. Peters was clipped just outside the box. Wilson curled a beautiful free-kick from 25 yards, past the wall and into the bottom corner.

Both teams came out for the second half trying to grab the initiative, and the expected onslaught from the home side didn't take long to materialise. Greengrass saved off the line then Cable saved well from a Constable header.

The game was end-to-end with both teams missing chances, but Beccles continued to defend resiliently with all 11 committed players chasing down every ball.

Young Alex Holmes entered the fray for Waterman and provided a good outlet. Shrew and Lees replaced Woods and the tiring Martin. In the closing stages, Beccles were constantly defending with substitute Tynan twice going close. His shot was saved by Cable then the in-form keeper saved again from a six-yard header.