Bloaters look for better results

THE Bloaters make the long trek to Godmanchester Rovers tomorrow (kick-off 3pm) looking to end a poor run that has seen them win only one game in their last seven, and that at Gorleston.

Four defeats, two draws and that lone win have not damaged their Ridgeons League Division One position thanks to points gained from a storming first half of the season - but other clubs are rapidly catching up, writes Gerry Brown.

It has been a difficult month with all their games being against the top sides. But the slide needs halting now before February's games against Brantham (away on February 7) and Hadleigh (home on February 21) present more challenges.

There is a coach going to Godmanchester, leaving the Wellesley at 11am prompt. Supporters' fares are adults �5, U18 �2, and all are welcome.

The Reserves went down 3-0 at Norwich St Johns but remained in fourth place, five points ahead of the chasing pack in Anglian Combination Division Two.

Tomorrow they take a break from league affairs with a home Junior KO Cup tie against Reepham Town. Kick-off is 2pm (not as previously advertised).

The Youth team suffered another postponement last week as the Walmer Road pitch of Kirkley and Pakefield was waterlogged.

Should last night's scheduled fixture at Wroxham have been called off, that would mean two months without a league game!

Next week's match is set for Plantation Park where Harford Tornadoes provide the opposition (7.45pm).

Great Yarmouth Town 0, Newmarket Town 3

NEWMARKET Town were worthy winners of this game which they controlled from start to finish.

Yarmouth joint manager Paul Tong, while full of praise for the contributions of the young players in his side, said: “We weren't at the races, and Newmarket fully deserved their win! I think we played the probable champions today.”

Yarmouth were again missing Adrian Ager, still recovering from injury, but the continuing absences of Adam Sullivan and Olly Savage remain a puzzle: both have been key members of the side this season but have not been in touch with the club for a fortnight.

Scott Woodcock also missed this game through injury, so the Bloaters were up against it even before kick-off.

On the plus side, Gavin Norman, an experienced Ridgeons League striker, has signed on, and though he has been in junior football lately played for 83 minutes, but his opportunities were severely limited by an experienced Newmarket team.

After an even opening period, the Jockeys took a 17th minute lead through Abdul Sannoh who won possession in the Yarmouth penalty area and poked home through a crowd of players.

Six minutes later the visitors made it 2-0. Yarmouth were up in attack but lost the ball in the Newmarket area. The clearance found Richard Gammon, who raced through a sparsely-defended Yarmouth half to beat Michael Hilton.

Newmarket's confidence was evident and Lee Hulyer in the visitors' goal did not have a shot to save in the first half though Stewart Roach twice supplied Norman with crosses which the new man was unable to control.

A Roach free-kick from the edge of the area also brought no reward, the ball sailing over the bar.

Yarmouth improved after the interval. Norman produced a cleverly-angled lob that rebounded off the face of the Newmarket bar, and when Gareth Palmer burst through appeals for a handball offence were turned down. Palmer also did good work in halting livewire visitor Marcus Samuels who several times threatened singlehandedly to tear Yarmouth apart.

Mark Thompson was sent on and delivered a searching free-kick that demanded an excellent low save from Hulyer, who turned the ball round the post for a corner. But though Hilton made some smart saves, he was helpless to stop Gammon grabbing his second of the match from an unmarked position 15 yards from goal after 86 minutes to ensure the “double” for Newmarket.

“Gavin was full of flu Saturday morning, so I was a bit surprised that he turned up, but that's the sort of spirit we need in these difficult times,” said Tong: “He told me he enjoyed the game anyway. And he endeared himself to the crowd straightaway with his likeness to Wayne Rooney!

“But our main weakness was again a lack of balls in the box, plus giving the ball away which is where their first two goals came from. But there are plenty of games to go, lots to play for yet, and we'll keep battling on to the end.

“I still believe we are capable of a top-six finish but people who were expecting us to get promotion this first season will have to readjust their focus, we just do not have the strength in depth.”

Yarmouth: Michael Hilton, Johnathan Watt (Mark Thompson 70), Adam Sewell, Gareth Palmer, Toby Gorbould, Alan Darby, Dominic Smith, Chris Squire, Stewart Roach (c), Gavin Norman (Simeon Lee 86), David Hinton (Jake Reed 57). Unused Sub: Elliot Pride.

Attendance: 70.