Mattishall and Foulsham football clubs tread the Carrow Road stage on successive nights next week in two of the county's major cup finals, the biggest occasion in each club's history.

Mattishall and Foulsham football clubs tread the Carrow Road stage on successive nights next week in two of the county's major cup finals, the biggest occasion in each club's history.

In the Norfolk Senior Cup, Mattishall tackle Norwich United on Monday, kick-off 7.30pm, followed on Tuesday by Foulsham playing West Lynn SSC in the Junior Cup final.

Mattishall skipper Jimmy Lovell, who dislocated a shoulder in their famous derby semi-final win at Dereham, is back in the reckoning, having made his senior return in the weekend's Anglian Combination Premier Division home 3-1 win over Sprowston Athletic. On Monday Mattishall drew 1-1 with St Andrews, and kept injury-free. Match reports and final travel details on page 46.

The village side have no fears about facing a Norwich United outfit which plays two divisions above them in the football pyramid, in the Ridgeons League Premier Division.

Mattishall beat Ridgeons Premier neighbours Dereham in the semi-finals on their own ground and claimed the scalp of Ridgeons First Division Diss away in an earlier round.

“We have every chance, although we will pay them the respect they deserve,” said Mattishall club secretary Mel Harbour. With Norwich United's unpredictable form this season, he felt Mattishall had every chance of landing the Norfolk Senior Cup. “We have two bus loads coming from the village.” he said.

The Mattishall squad: (in alphabetical order) Jake Anema, Luke Catchpole, Jason Cole, Joe Edwards, Martin Failes, Andrew Fulcher, Chris Hall, Christian Harbour, Gary Harbour, Duncan Hewitt, Tim Hill, Ben Lewis, Jimmy Lovell, Daniel Palmer, George Pledger, Gary Starling, Michael Sommerfield, and Simon Wooden.

Foulsham are pushing for promotion from Division Three of the Anglian Combination, in second place after Saturday's 7-0 win at lowly Caister Reserves and a 2-0 home win over Marlingford on Monday. Their Carrow Road opponents are second in Division Two.

Chairman Jackie Price said the team were going by minibus to a Norwich hotel for a swim and relaxation before the final and will sport new ties with the club crest as they make their way to Carrow Road.

“We got the home changing room after winning the toss,” she said. “We are really excited. The players may never get the chance again and some have been at the club for many years.” A bus of supporters is going from the village pub.