Easton 5 Acle Utd Res 1

When arriving at the college for today's league cup quarter final it was clear the weather wasn't going to particularly pleasant with the grey clouds looming but we were hoping that wasn't going to be an omen of things to come.

With Reynolds cup tied and Brad away the two Wheelers returned to the match day squad and both took their place on the bench. The furthest we have got in any cup competition since joining the league in 2005 was a quarter final of this very cup in 2011 so we were hoping to go one better today.

With no indication of the monsoon like conditions to come we kicked off and had a quick start moving the ball around sharply in the first 10 minutes with Acle resorting to try and clear their lines early on with the Easton back line mopping up well when called upon. With 15 minutes on the clock the first effort on target brought the opening goal as Alex slid the ball through to George who made no mistake as he slotted home under the advancing away keeper.

Almost on queue the heavens opened and the game became noticeably more scrappy with the driving rain and wind making it difficult to play attractive football! Acle are into the game in this time with Taylor punching a dangerous cross clear before bravely blocking as an away player tried to get on the end of a long ball.

Raffa saw a stinging shot well held by Cannon in the Acle goal before Beanie and Lewi saw efforts first blocked before the follow up flew narrowly wide. Acle were still coming forward with purpose and forced a couple of corners that were well cleared before a few free kicks in dangerous areas threatened but didn't bring an equaliser.

George had the ball in the goal again as the half wore on but was denied by the linesman's flag but as the clock ticked down a perfect slide rule ball found George onside and he again made no mistake sliding the ball under the keeper to double our advantage with the referee almost immediately blowing for half time.

HT 2-0

Thankfully for all involved the wind and rain seemed to vanish before the start of the second half and with only 5 minutes gone in the second period the third goal arrived as Raffa chested the ball down and drove through the Acle back like before lifting the ball over the onrushing Cannon who got a hand to the ball but couldn't stop it finding the back of the net. Three then quickly became four as on the hour mark Raffa again slid the ball through to George who fired through the keepers legs for his hat trick and to effectively end the game as a contest. It could then have been 5 as Norm was released on the right of the area but his effort went high and wide.

All three subs were then introduced from the bench and with 15 minutes to play Rob got himself on the scoresheet as he brought down a loose ball before breaking forwards, nutmegging the away centre back and rolling the ball into the corner for a superb individual goal to make it 5. Wheeler then drew a superb left handed save from the visiting keeper before Jordy screwed an effort wide when well placed.

Credit to Acle who found another gear in the last ten minutes and a good opportunity was wasted by the forward when through on goal but with 5 minutes to play an away player was left with far too much time on the edge of the area and fired a superb effort past Taylor high into the goal from 18 yards to reduce the deficit but there was simply not enough time left to effect the result.

FT 5-1.