Neighbours Beccles and Bungay produced a six goal thriller in the first round of the Suffolk Senior Cup, with the Wherrymen eventually making progress on penalties.

A large crowd gathered at College Meadow on a brilliant autumn day anticipating a competitive game, with Beccles looking for revenge from last year’s match, and they weren’t disappointed.

When the teams took to the pitch there was an immediate indication of how the game would go, with Bungay fielding a team well equipped with physically larger players, and they immediately exploited this factor with a long ball down the left and deep cross for Dom Mirner to head home.

Beccles soon settled down and fought back however and Bailey broke free and set up Joe Clark for an easy finish to level.

On 12 minutes a Beccles corner from Brown was met on the rise by Hurren for a crisp header into the far corner to make it 2-1 before, on 25 minutes Bungay, were awarded a penalty for a trip in the area and although Danny Cable got a hand to it he was unable to keep out Shaun Whiteman’s shot. Beccles rallied and created some good chances, Hurren won the ball in midfield and set Bailey off down the right and his dangerous cross was well met by Grimmer but straight into Wickham’s hands. Two minutes later Hurren, again fighting for everything robbed, Wickham and a chipped cross was cleanly headed in by Bailey to put the Wherrymen ahead again, with barely 30 minutes on the clock. Clark then took a high pass on his chest, beat the full back for speed and got a great shot away it but just wide.

The final goal of a breathless first half came on 38 minutes when John Riches made a clever turn in the area while well marked and slotted past Cable to make it 3-3.

By contrast the second half started off without any clear chances. On 56 minutes Rob Bishop replaced Stephen Bee to provide new new energy but defences were now well on top. On 65 minutes Tom Harmer came on to replace Hunt who had sustained a knock on the ankle and Jordan Boyd replaced Billy Shaw who was also injured.

Two minutes later Boyd made an impact when he set Bailey away and his long shot from 30 yards out came back off the bar. On 79 minutes Hurren made another brilliant turn to set up Clark who shot into the side netting and the Bailey launched a deep cross to Bishop whose header was just over. Four minutes later Bishop set off on a good right wing run and his cross to Clark was volleyed over the bar so the game was to be decided on penalties.

With Cable making a brilliant save from Bungay’s first effort and a miss on attempt number three the visitors only score once and Beccles, with conversions by Hurren, Bailey and Staines, took the game when Clark thrashed in number four for a 4-1 shoot-out success.

Beccles Town Reserves visited Mulbarton Reserves with a weakened side, including the manager in goal, but came away with m a 2-0 win via goals from James Bemment and Kyle Godbold.

Tomorrow Beccles Town entertain Blofield United in the league (2.30pm) while the Reserves travel to Costessey Sports who currently prop up Division Four (2pm).

Bungay Town are in action this evening (Friday) when they entertain Hindringham in the league (7.45pm). A win would see them join Mundford at the top of the table.