Lowestoft Town and New Salamis produced an action packed cup tie in blazing heat with The Trawlerboys coming out on top in an eight goal thriller, writes Terry Lynes.

Lowestoft started this Isuzu FA Trophy first qualifying round game at a blistering pace and moved ahead after just six minutes.

A Charlie Norman cross saw Panny Boxer’s poor defensive header fall nicely for Sam Johnson to stroke home from 12 yards.

Johnson almost added a second but his shot was deflected wide after good combination play by Adam Hipperson and Danny White down the left.

Lowestoft though didn’t wait long for a second goal with Jake Reed presented with a tap in after keeper Reuben Rabstein dropped Hipperson's cross.

It was looking to become a stroll in the park as Dave Hinton split the visitors’ defence on 16 minutes for Johnson to run through and slide the ball past the keeper.

New Salamis though bounced back and Wilson Chingokwa forced Luke Holt into a diving save.

On 19 minutes Salamis reduced the arrears with an astute flick from Derek Asamoah set Chingokwa clear who was brought down by a combination of Holt and Travis Cole with Asamoah converting the spot kick.

Incredibly Salamis then further reduced the arrears in the 38th minute when a right wing corner found Boxer completely unmarked beyond the far post to volley home.

The first half scoring spree was still not finished with Lowestoft adding a fourth goal with Hipperson celebrating his 50th appearance by shooting home from 12 yards after exchanging passes with Reed down the left flank.

There was still time for a seventh goal to come in ‘added time’ as a scramble in the Lowestoft area ended with Asamoah’s half hit shot squirming through Holt’s arms into the net.

Not surprisingly the second half did not reach the same level as the first but Lowestoft did add a fifth goal in the 58th minute with Harvey Sayer sending a 25 yard free kick flying past Rabstein after Reed had been brought down.

Both teams deserve the utmost credit for putting on an excellent afternoon’s entertainment in intense heat.

LOWESTOFT TOWN: Holt, Norman, White, McIntosh, Cole, Ruffles, Johnson (sub Eagle 87), Hinton (sub Howell 90), Reed, Sayer (sub B Atkinson 90), Hipperson. Subs (not used): Fitzgerald, Haylock, Burwood.

NEW SALAMIS: Rabstein, Mustali (sub Meoded 46), Oujdi, Chingokwa (sub Kabangive 86), Gulliver, Boxer, Josh Williams, Jackson, Asamoah, Adu (sub Ezekiel Williams 46), Hercules. Subs (not used): Mandla, Poyraz, Bugyei.

REFEREE: Mr O Sadd

ATTENDANCE: 332

Report by Terry Lynes