Fakenham Town lose to Norwich City in Norfolk Senior Cup quarter-final

greg.plummer@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 22:39, 17 December 2024

Fakenham Town suffered late heartache in the Norfolk Senior Cup as Norwich City U21s progressed to the semi-finals with a slender win at the Daly Group Stadium.

Jaiden Owen struck a minute from time for the young Canaries, who were indebted to goalkeeper Jack Ruddy for keeping them in the tie.

Watched by a fantastic crowd of 485, the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division leaders created the better chances throughout the 90 minutes.

Jake Watts on the attack for Fakenham. Picture: Ian Burt

Ruddy pulled off early saves to deny both Jake Watts and a glancing header from Josh Youngs while Joe Keeley struck the post as the home side dominated the opening 20 minutes.

Louis Henman Mason also saw an effort tipped over by the visiting goalkeeper as the score remained goalless going into the break.

The busy Watts was twice thwarted by Ruddy in the second half while the home side had two penalty shouts waved away by the referee before Owen's late winner broke home hearts.

Jack Ruddy claims the ball. Picture: Ian Burt

A large crowd watched the Norfolk Hire Senior Cup Qtr Final at Fakenham. Picture: Ian Burt

Jak Reynolds under pressure inside the Norwich U21's penalty area. Puicture: Ian Burt

Jak Reynolds gets his shot away. Picture: Ian Burt

Jack Robinson on the ball for Fakenham. Picture: Ian Burt

Jake Watts gets to the ball first. Picture: Ian Burt

Josh Youngs header went close. Picture: Ian Burt

Fakenham Town: Andrews, Reynolds (Poore), Coslett, Sturman (Rasberry), Mayhew, Youngs (Densley), Bonner (Page), Henman-Mason, Watts, Robinson (Middleton), Keeley.

Football Greg Plummer