The Norfolk Intermediate Cup Final 2023-24

For the third consecutive year, this season sees both competitors making their Norfolk Intermediate Cup Final debut. Dersingham Rovers Reserves will play Shrublands Reserves on Saturday, March 16 with a 7:30pm kick off. Tickets can be purchased through the link below.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Competing in Division One of the North West Norfolk Saturday League, Dersingham Rovers Reserves currently sit fifth in the table on 19 points, and have a handful of games in hand. Their cup campaign started with a bye, before knocking out last season’s Norfolk Intermediate Cup winners Attleborough Town Reserves with a comfortable 4-1 win at home in the second round. The Quarter-Final saw them in a 3-3 draw away to North Walsham Town Reserves, before winning 3-1 on penalties. History then repeated itself in the Semi-Final when they finished the 90 minutes on another 3-3 draw, this time at home against Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers A Team. However, another successful penalty shootout meant that they entered the final 6 goals to 5.

Dersingham Rovers Reserves Manager, Owen Bell, spoke of how much reaching the final means: “Obviously, it means a lot. Of everything on offer this is the one that everyone wants to win. With the club having a big presence within the Anglian Combination and North West Norfolk League, before unfortunately having to restart a few years ago, a County Cup will start to cement us again as one of the most successful clubs in the County. Having a Dersingham side as County Cup Champions will be massive for the Club and a memory that will stick with the players for a long time.”

Shrublands Reserves compete in the Lowestoft & District League, Division One. The Gorleston-On-Sea based side are currently sat seventh in their league on 26 points, also with games in hand. Having commenced their cup run with a first round bye, the second round saw them battle it out on penalties following a 3-3 draw at home against Briston Reserves. They secured a place in the next round by winning the shootout 4-2. The Quarter-Final then saw yet another draw after 90 minutes, this time 4-4 competing at home against Sprowston A Team. Once again, they came out victorious on penalties, beating the away team 5-4. Shrublands Reserves then secured their place in the final by maintaining a clean sheet and winning 1-0 at home in the Semi-Final against last season’s runners up, Earsham Reserves.

Shrublands Reserves Manager, Andrew Hannah, spoke of how much reaching the final means: “I think the run in we had making it to the final was one of the hardest and were probably underdogs for some games. The lads have worked so hard to reach the final and I know for some this will be a momentous occasion. All players and managers are so excited for the game, but I’m sure nerves will be creeping in. The whole club are so proud of the team for making it to the final and everyone is on board to support the lads from committee members, players, management, parents from youth teams to the mascots for them this experience will be something they never forget.“

Match Officials

• Referee: Samuel Gasson-Cox
• Assistant Referees: Chris Steele & James Durham
• Fourth Official: Andrew Crawford

Dersingham Rovers Reserves v Shrublands Reserves
Harrod Sport Arena, The FDC
16/03/24
Kick Off 7:30pm
Adults £6; Concessions £3; Under 12s £1