Great Yarmouth Town moved one step closer to ending their five-year wait to lift a trophy by progressing to the First Division Knockout Cup final.

The Bloaters last picked up some silverware when they won the First Division in the 2009-10 season but Ricci Butler's boys know a victory over AFC Sudbury Reserves or Haverhill Borough – who meet in their semi-final tomorrow – will bring some much-needed success to The Wellesley.

Promotion-chasing Yarmouth secured their place in the May 1 showpiece, at a yet to be decided venue, thanks to a 3-2 victory on their own turf over Halstead Town on Saturday. A Connor Deeks hat-trick put the hosts in control before a late rally made for a nervy finish. It was the seaside outfit's third successive semi-final appearance and comes two campaigns after they lost the final to Brightlingsea Regent.

Another side who also moved nearer towards glory of their own at the weekend was Norwich United. Damian Hilton's Planters continued their relentless charge to the Premier Division title with a 3-0 home success over Haverhill Rovers. It was the table-toppers' ninth successive league victory with all the goals coming in the second half, two from top scorer Matt Blake – taking his tally to 25 in top-flight Eastern Counties action this term – and the other via Paul Cook.

They can thank their Norfolk rivals Gorleston for now having a 13-point lead at the top after the Greens beat second-placed Godmanchester Rovers 2-1 at Emerald Park. Peter Lambert and Louis Mason did the business in front of goal for Richard Daniels' troops.

Stanway Rovers are just four points behind Goddy, with a game in hand, after crushing Fakenham Town 4-0 at the Ghosts' Clipbush Park home. Elsewhere, Ross Gilfedder's brace helped Kirkley & Pakefield beat FC Clacton 2-0.

In the First Division, Downham Town lost only their second home league game of the campaign by two goals to nil against the leaders Saffron Walden Town. The triumph made it 23 league games unbeaten for the Bloods – a club record.

Swaffham Town, third – who have played two matches less – ensured the eight-point gap they have to close did not widen by hammering Leiston Reserves 5-1. Alex Vincent (2), Joe Jackson, Joe Woods and Mikey Thompson got their names on the scoresheet for the Pedlars.

Jack Frohawk and Kyran Stannard netted in King's Lynn Town Reserves' 2-0 victory over Needham Market's second-string.