Gorleston 1, Harleston Magpies IV 0Gorleston returned to winning ways with a fully deserved if narrow victory against Harleston Magpies fourth XI.The visitors were a far cry from their club's third team who won at Gorleston in controversial circumstances the previous week, being primarily a development squad of some seven or eight talented teenagers aided and abetted intelligently by four senior players.

Gorleston 1, Harleston Magpies IV 0

Gorleston returned to winning ways with a fully deserved if narrow victory against Harleston Magpies fourth XI.

The visitors were a far cry from their club's third team who won at Gorleston in controversial circumstances the previous week, being primarily a development squad of some seven or eight talented teenagers aided and abetted intelligently by four senior players.

The result was a fine game full of attractive hockey as the youngsters tested their pace and skills against the greater experience and strength of Gorleston who it seemed always had the edge when it came to loose ball challenges.

Missing Jason Austin, injured in the previous week's battle, but welcoming the return of Nick Mobbs and Jamie Higginbotham, Gorleston started brightly and had the major share of possession throughout the game.

But despite several well-worked attacks and short corners, particularly before and after the interval, their final pass or shot did not have the accuracy of recent weeks. The longer the game remained goalless the more likely it seemed Harleston might just snatch an unexpected winner.

However, 15 minutes from time Russ Crawford was on hand to spare the home side's blushes, turning quickly in the circle to fire home a loose ball in off the post.

Despite more impeccable performances from Andrew Lilly Jamie Higginbotham and Nick Mobbs in defence and the probing runs of Mark and Martyn Vaudin up front, there was still time for the visitors to respond and goal-keeper Barney King had to be at his best in the final minutes to save first a short corner and then another almost certain equaliser.

But that would have been less than Gorleston deserved and the win keeps them fourth in Division Three North East of the NE14 East Men's League table.

Next, Gorleston travel to Bury to take on second-placed Bury II at Nowton Park. Push-back is at 1.30pm and transport leaves the Albion at 11am.

On Sunday, Gorleston were due to start their annual foray in the national HA Vase Trophy - in round two they were to have played at home against Waltham Forest First X1, but Waltham Forest have withdrawn.

Gorleston now have a walkover into the third round, to be played on November 23.