CURTIS Harvey netted a hat-trick as Trimley Red Devils reached the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup final for the first time in their history, writes Rob Binns.

They thrashed fellow Macron SIL Senior Division side East Bergholt United 6-0 in Monday’s rescheduled semi-final at Felixstowe & Walton United FC.

Harvey opened the scoring in the first half before quickfire goals from Shane Murphy and Josh Knights extended their lead to 3-0 within five minutes after the break.

Two goals in two minutes followed from Harvey to complete his treble then Ryan Chidlow wrapped the game up in stoppage time.

Andy Pirie, part of the management team at Trimley Red Devils, believes reaching the final is a sign of how far the club has come.

He said: “This competition for clubs at our level is the pinnacle. We’re on a growth trajectory as a club, we’re improving and we had a plan this season to try and win something.

“This Senior Cup for us is going to be a wonderful occasion. These boys are going to go into it with so much confidence and hopefully lift that cup for the whole club which would be a fantastic piece of history for a great football club.”

Trimley took the lead after 14 minutes when Harvey reacted fastest to a loose ball in the box and took a touch to set himself before slotting in from a tight angle.

The Red Devils doubled their lead two minutes into the second half when they broke quickly and the ball fell kindly for Murphy who calmly slotted past the onrushing keeper.

Three minutes later East Bergholt keeper Jamie Scrivener failed to make contact on a long ball forward allowing Knights to break through and slot into the empty net to make it three.

Trimley Red Devils' goalkeeper Ben Punter makes a flying save to keep out a long-range effort from East Bergholt United's Kyle Jay late on in the semi-final at Felixstowe & Walton United FC. Photograph: Paul Voller

Craig Chidlow’s side extended their lead in the 71st minute when Murphy drove into the box and squared the ball for Harvey who tapped home to help himself to his second goal of the evening.

Harvey completed his hat-trick two minutes later when he nipped in to win the ball high up the pitch, drove towards goal and rolled the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The Red Devils wrapped the game up in the first minute of stoppage time when two players collided for a tackle on the edge of the box causing a freak rebound that almost lobbed Scrivener but he managed to palm it out at full stretch. However, Chidlow was fastest to the follow-up and turned home with the keeper helpless to react.

Trimley will face Leiston U23s in the final after they beat Bungay Town 2-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw on Friday night. The date and venue will be announced in due course.

The Teams

East Bergholt United: Jamie Scrivener, Morgan Rushton, Jordan Peck, Graham Butcher, Ben Bibby, Nathan Clarke, Sean Lorrimer, Kyle Jay, Zach Elsiedy, Arron Greenwood, Ben Prime Used Subs: Alex Prime, Scott Fryer, Luke Clarke, Kyle Brown, Brandon King

Trimley Red Devils: Ben Punter, Ross Driver, Josh Hewitt, Aaron Durrant, Matt West, Sam Garwood, Ryan Chidlow, Shane Murphy, Josh Knights, Curtis Harvey, Jordan Clarke Used Subs: Dom Arnold, Sam Osborne, Dan Stagg, Nathan Baker, Max Poole.

Referee: Paul Quick.

Attendance: 335.