Scott’s delight as Thetford get over first hurdle in Vase

Thetford Town manager Mark Scott feels he has a strong enough squad to compete in four competitions this season, even though the league will always be his top priority.

Having been knocked out early in the FA Cup, Town made progress in the Vase, beating Ridgeons League Division One colleagues Long Melford 2-0 at Mundford Road to set up a trip to Ipswich Wanderers in the first preliminary round.

With the Norfolk Senior Cup and the Ridgeons League Cup also coming up later in the season there will be no shortage of targets for Scott's in-form side to aim for this term, and it's a prospect that excites the boss.

'Our priority this season is obviously the league but that doesn't mean the other competitions aren't important to us,' he said. 'We were disappointed to go out of the FA Cup so early, when we were basically done by three set pieces, so it was nice to make progress in the Vase.

'It's a national compeition and it brings money into the club, so we will try and go as far as we possibly can in it.

'We have also got something to live up to in the other competitions, having reached the semi-finals of the Senior Cup and the final of League Cup last season, so we will be giving it a real go there as well.

'We have got a reserve team now, which helps with all these games. Overall I think we have got a big enough squad to cope, although as I keep saying getting promotion is our main target.'

Town, who have won all four of their league games so far this season, took the lead on Saturday when Matthew Howard converted from a corner and doubled their advantage late on when substitute Nathan Szysyzlk scored with virtually his first touch.

Elsewhere, Swaffham gave a good account of themselves against Premier Division Felixstowe and Walton, taking the lead on three occasions before losing 6-3 after extra-time.

The Pedlars were 2-1 up at the break, with Joe Jackson scoring both goals, the second a real screamer. Felixstowe equalised seven minutes after the break and the tie went into extra time after Blake Stangroome's late effort was cleared off the line.

Richard Cornwall made it three for the Pedlars but the visitors soon equalised and they then took control to give the final scoreline a rather lopsided look.

Paul Tong's first match in charge at Kirkley and Pakefield ended in defeat when his new side were beaten 3-0 at home by Woodbridge. Former Yarmouth boss Tong took charge at Walmer Road on Thursday after the exit of Jon Reynolds, and so had litle time to prepare.

Fakenham Town also bowed out of the Vase at the first hurdle, conceding three extra time goals to lose 4-1 at Walsham-le-Willows.