FC Clacton advanced to their first ever cup final with a 3-0 victory over Gorleston in the First Division Knockout Cup. Three goals in six minutes at the end of the first half swung what had been a tight contest decisively in Clacton’s favour on a cold and frosty evening at Emerald Park.

Chances were at a premium in the first half an hour with neither goalkeeper being seriously tested and defences restricting both attacks to long-range efforts that either sailed high and wide or were comfortably saved.

The contest was shaping up to be an intriguing tussle when Clacton broke the deadlock in the thirty seventh minute. A corner was not fully cleared and was played back into Chris Ribchester in the right channel. He slid the ball across the six yard box where Gregg Heighway was on hand to prod home to open the scoring.

Three minutes later Clacton doubled their advantage with a goal of the highest quality. A neat passing exchange made a yard of space for Matt Waters just over twenty-five yards out. He rifled a fine shot that Elliot Pride in Gorleston’s goal did well to even get a hand on as it flew into his right-hand corner.

On forty-three minutes, a calamitous defensive mix up made it 3-0 to the visitors. A left wing cross by James Dunkley looked like it would be easily cleared.  However, as Thomas Daniels and Adam Thurtle converged on the dropping ball with no Clacton attacker near them, Daniels could only slam the ball against Thurstle with the ball ricocheting into the net for the most unfortunate of own goals.

It could have been even worse for Gorleston directly before half-time as Pride allowed a loose ball to squirm away from him but Dunkley could only slide the ball across the empty goal from an acute angle.

The second-half saw Gorleston exert pressure on Clacton who, having been without a game for so long, were content to protect their lead and hit on the counter. However, for all of their possession and territory, the home side were unable to create a clear-cut chance as the home side were well marshalled by a committed defensive display by the whole Clacton side.

So Clacton advance to the final where they will meet either Whitton United or fierce rivals Halstead Town.  Gorleston will be looking to exact their revenge when the two sides meet again in league action at the Bowl on Saturday.