FOLLOWING their Norfolk Senior Cup quarter-final elimination at Anglian Combination Sheringham, Gorleston's attention switches back to the Ridgeons League and a promotion push in Division One (3pm).

FOLLOWING their Norfolk Senior Cup quarter-final elimination at Anglian Combination Sheringham, Gorleston's attention switches back to the Ridgeons League and a promotion push in Division One (3pm).

Tomorrow sees them at Emerald Park for a key fixture against a Saffron Walden side two points and two places better off than the Greens, having played two more matches. Gorleston's unbeaten league run is now into its third month.

Sheringham 2, Gorleston 0

FAR from booking that semi-final place against lower league opposition, the Greens produced probably their poorest performance of the season albeit in difficult windswept conditions, writes Simon T Ball.

Manager Glenn Haylett made two enforced chances to the side - Anis Nialli came in for the injured Tom Marsden in goal and Nathan Thompson led the attack in place of the cup-tied Gary Ingram.

Sheringham were enjoying a sustained period of pressure as Gorleston struggled to cope with the elements. Tom Parker glanced a good chance wide for the Shannocks but with 10 minutes to go before half-time they went in front.

The umpteenth long ball forward found Parker who, with the ball hardly under control, was challenged by Greens' keeper Anis Nialli. To the surprise of all concerned referee Pearce pointed to the spot and Ollie King gave Sheringham the lead with a low shot into the bottom right corner.

Two minutes into the second half and the warning lights were flashing brightly for Gorleston again as King's effort was kept out by a goal-line clearance by Kyle Howell.

At last the Greens were beginning to gain a foothold, but despite enjoying territorial and possession advantage, they still couldn't create a decent scoring opportunity.

Sheringham hit a post against the run of play through Andy Gleave.

Midway through the half and Gorleston were undone by a sucker punch. Olly King got clear of Adam Thurtle on the Gorleston left and turned the ball inside the area for Paul Timm to beat Nialli.

Gorleston poured forward but still failed to find a way through as Sheringham's two giant centre halves headed the ball away or just thumped it aimlessly upfield.

The game erupted in the final minutes when the referee gave more decisions which enraged the travelling contingent including no action when Matthew Bowles appeared to felled, Dale Cockrill receiving a straight red card for a challenge and assistant manager Jon White removed from the dugout.

So an unsatisfactory afternoon all round with Sheringham added to the names of Loddon (1989), Hempnall (1988) and Lakeford Rangers (1986) on the list of the Greens' Norfolk Senior Cup disasters.

No one could argue Sheringham were deserved winners on the day. But against limited opposition Gorleston could and should have found the necessary answers.

Gorleston: A Nialli, K Howell, J Marsden, D Cockrill, A Thurtle, E Thompson, R Butler, P Lambert, G Todd, N Thompson, J Bell. Subs: M Bowles (Gary Todd 76 minutes), L Goreham, R Fruin, H Madison (Thurtle 69 minutes).