It was a perfect Easter weekend for Thetford Town - two games, eight goals, six points and any lingering worries of relegation finally put to bed.
A poor return from the Bank Holiday weekend games might have seen Town going into their final league game this Saturday against Long Melford needing points to secure their Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division status.
As it is they can now concentrate on preparing for next Tuesday’s Norfolk Senior Cup final at Carrow Road. Dereham Town, who play a division higher, await them as Town seek to win their first serious trophy since they lifted the Senior Cup in 1991.
Two goals each for Elliot Gibson and Valter Rocha, Gibson’s second the pick of the bunch, a beautifully struck 30 yard strike, gave Town a comfortable 4-1 Good Friday win at Hadleigh United.
On Easter Monday, Thetford again hit four goals, this time at home to Walsham Le-Willows, a 4-2 success.
With their divisional status secure, and in warm sunshine, there was a relaxed feel at Mundford Road and Town had the perfect start against their nearest rivals. Just two minutes had elapsed when Quentin Castro linked well with Valter Rocha, and fired a low half volley into the visitors’ net.
In a lively, open first half Walsham moved the ball well without ever seriously troubling Paul Snowden, standing in for regular Town number one Will Viner. who was missing with a toe injury. while Town’s best moments tended to come on the break via Rocha and Castro.
In symmetry with the first period Town scored early in the second half to double their lead. Sam Bond fizzed a ball into the feet of Gibson who cut inside before releasing Rocha in the penalty area, who poked his finish into the corner of the goal.
Rocha added his second goal of the afternoon and his 28th of the season in the 68th minute when he latched onto Robbie Priddle’s header and produced a cool, low finish.
Soon after Walsham pulled a goal back before scoring again in the 89th minute, but any home nerves were soon quelled when Priddle fired home Town’s fourth in the final minute.
Town: Snowden, Bond, Morton (Priddle), Carver, Coomber-Willis, R Bailey (Sandell), Smith, Hutt, Gibson (Piggott), Castro, Rocha
Entrance is on the gate at Carrow Road next Tuesday (7.30pm kick-off) the the prices are £7 for adults and £4 for concessions.
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