ROSS Driver netted the only goal as Trimley Red Devils reached a second consecutive CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup final, writes Rob Binns.

Driver capitalised on a goalkeeper error to earn his side a 1-0 win against Henley Athletic at Notcutts Park, home of Woodbridge Town FC, on Friday night.

After a quiet first half, the game sparked into life after the interval with the Trimley number nine’s 70th minute goal the difference in a reverse of the scoreline from the sides’ Gateway SIL Senior Division meeting last weekend.

Anthony Fryatt, who is a member of the Trimley management team along with Craig Chidlow and Andy Pirie, said afterwards: “Ross always turns up in the big games, he was man of the match in the final last year, so it couldn’t have fell to anyone better in a pressure moment.”

Ross Driver (blue shirt, no.9) scores the only goal of the game for Trimley Red Devils against Henley Athletic. Main photograph: Driver celebrates with supporters as his team-mates rush to congratulate him. Photographs: Paul Voller

Trimley drew the first save of the evening after 10 minutes as Max Poole’s driven cross from the right found Ryan Chidlow whose low shot was tipped behind for a corner by Nick Punter at his near post.

That was as good as it got in the first half, but the second half started brighter, with Trimley striking the woodwork inside a minute.

Ellis Murell’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected into the feet of Chidlow who turned his man and fired an effort which struck the outside of the near post.

Henley almost took the lead in the 58th minute when Jamie Cowan pressed Danny Crump to win back possession in the box before crossing for Charlie Hooley, whose header deflected off the chest of Sam Osborne and behind for a corner.

Chidlow struck the Henley post again three minutes later with a superb strike from the edge of the box. His curled effort looked destined for the far top corner but came back off the inside of the post and back across the goal line.

The holders took the lead after 70 minutes when Punter came off his line to initially claim a cross but dropped the ball on his landing. Driver was first to react in the box to tap into the empty net to break the deadlock.

There was almost an instant response from Henley as Leigh Cooper saw a powerful effort from outside the box tipped behind before Mark Storey met the resulting corner to see his header go into the ground and back off the far post.

Henley Athletic goalkeeper Nick Punter is beaten by this shot from Max Poole but it hit the post and rebounded to him. Photograph: Paul Voller 

The Red Devils spurned a huge chance to seal the game in the 81st minute when a rapid counter attack from a Henley corner saw substitute Dan Stagg released through on goal. His initial effort was saved by the onrushing Punter, but he collected the rebound and fired wide of the gaping net.

Henley pushed for an equaliser, but Trimley stood firm to secure their place in a second successive CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Final at Portman Road.

The Teams

Henley Athletic: Nick Punter, Ben Prime, Alex Prime (sub David Shore, 68 mins), Leigh Cooper (sub James Graham, 79 mins), Mark Storey, Logan Bell, Jack Wharton-Richardson (sub Frederico Dende, 68 mins), Russell White, Byron Tejano, Jamie Cowan (sub Elliott Ballard, 79 mins), Charlie Hooley (sub Stephen Cole, 73 mins).

Trimley Red Devils: Danny Crump, Max Poole, Josh Hewitt, Sam Osborne, Matt West (sub Lewis Oakes, 68 mins), Aaron Durrant (sub Sam Garwood, 75 mins), Ryan Chidlow, Evan Bolt (sub Lewis Dyer, 88 mins), Ross Driver (sub Shane Murphy, 79 mins), Ellis Murell (sub Dan Stagg, 73 mins), Jordan Clarke.

Referee: Tom Ling.

Attendance: 343.