The Ashtons Legal Senior Cup Final 2022-23

Dereham Town will meet Gorleston in this season’s Senior Cup Final after both winning their respective Semi-Final matches at Harrod Sport Arena, The FDC earlier this month. The Magpies last won the County’s most prestigious trophy in the 2018-19 season, whereas the Greens lifted the trophy in the 2020-21 season.

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This season Dereham Town suffered relegation to Step 5 of the Football League pyramid after being defeated 2-0 by Stotfold in an end-of-season play off match. However, they have experienced joy so far in the Ashtons Legal Senior Cup, as they entered the competition in the third round with a 3-0 away win against Great Yarmouth Town. In the Quarter-Finals, the Magpies hosted Thetford Town and run out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Danno White and a brace from Luke Johnson. In their Semi-Final they came up against rivals, Wroxham at Harrod Sport Arena. They managed to win the game 2-1 and enter their fourth final in five years.

When asked about the final, Dereham Town Manager, Tom Parke said: “To reach a cup final at any point in a club’s history is an amazing achievement but this one is extra special. After a season of chaos, the club, the team and the fans have produced a real underdog spirit to get to the final. I have been fortunate to be involved in 3 senior cup finals with Dereham Town and I am really excited leading the club into another. I am looking forward to watching the lads perform as they deserve it, I’m super excited about hearing the magpie fans in full song and I can’t wait to see my daughter run out on the pitch as a mini magpie.”

Gorleston, like their opponents, were also playing in step 4 football in the 2022/23 season after winning the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division in the 2021/22 season. They are now playing in the Isthmian League North Division where they have ended the season in 13th place after a slow start, meaning that they have confirmed their place in the League for a second consecutive season. They managed it after thirteen wins, five draws and twenty losses. They will be looking to round of their season with a second Ashtons Legal Senior Cup trophy in three years. They reached this year’s final having knocked out Mulbarton Wanderers in the Semi-Final thanks to a 3-1 scoreline.

When speaking about the final, Gorleston Manager, Darren Cockrill said: “It’s huge for Gorleston FC, this has been a tough season with no home ground and our first at step 4, it gives our fans and more importantly our chairman and committee a night they can hopefully enjoy. I am not sure you ever enjoy finals unless you win in all honesty, confidence doesn't come into it, it’s who performs and deals with the pressure the final produces, my job is to make sure my group are ready for it.”

Match Officials

• Referee: Ben Green
• Assistant Referees: Harvey Newstead & Ahmed Mohammed
• Fourth Official: Ady George

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Dereham Town v Gorleston

Carrow Road, Norwich City FC
18/05/23
Kick Off 7:45pm
Adults £10; Concessions £7; Under 12s £1