Although there has been a period of inactivity on the pitch, with the snow bringing an unscheduled mid-season break, off the field Gorleston have been working hard.

The club are now very happy to announce that QMS International PLC have agreed to continue their sponsorship of the Greens for next season.

Gorleston are very grateful for the sponsorship in these difficult times financially, writes DAVE HARDY.

QMS began sponsoring in the summer of 2011, at the start of the Senior Cup winning season, and it will be hoped the club can continue in an upward direction with the QMS logo on their shirt.

Company managing director Peter Gamble and his son Alistair, although Trawlerboys at heart, have become Greens supporters at games when Lowestoft are not playing.

Chairman Alan Gordon said he was delighted to see such commitment from Peter Gamble. “We all know how difficult it is to keep a club afloat in this commercial climate.” He said: “To have such a wonderful sponsor as QMS is a great help in our success on and off the field.”

Also behind the scenes, the club has been successful in achieving The FA Charter Standard Award.

The FA state the Charter Standard programme is a kitemark, which recognises and rewards high quality levels of provision in clubs. The kitemark is awarded to clubs that are well run and sustainable and who place child protection, quality coaching and safety paramount.

Part of the criteria means the club has signed up to the Respect programme and have a Level One coach for each youth team.

It is hoped the award will help the Greens attract more sponsors and volunteers and it will help with any funding applications.

Gorleston have also been busy organising a golf day which will take place on Tuesday, May 14 at Caldecott Hall. Players will be competing for the Jimmy Jones Memorial Cup, and will consist of teams of four, at a cost of £150 per team. The price includes a 2 course meal.

Tomorrow Stewart Larter’s fourth-placed Greens, unbeaten in their last nine league games, entertain Wivenhoe Town at Emerald Park.

Wivenhoe are currently fourth from bottom in the league, however they are on a good run of form at the moment having gone three games without defeat.

The Reserves have a week off and the U18’s will be in action on Thursday night when they entertain North Walsham.

Felixstowe & Walt 2 Gorleston 1 (aet)

After more than two weeks inactivity the Greens returned to action at Felixstowe in the League Cup quarter-final.

Manager Stewart Larter made three changes to the side that had won last time out at Woodbridge.

James Bergin made his second start in goal, Reece Hunn returned at left back and Zak Clarke replaced Keegan Middleton. New signing Joe Marsden was on the bench.

On a dry, windy night the Goldstar Ground pitch had stood up to the snow well and was in good condition. However, the wind did it’s best to spoil the game and, with nothing between the sides and neither keeper troubled, the match reached half time goalless.

Jack Garrod gave Gorleston the lead in the 65th minute but Felixstowe equalised within a minute through Ben Cranfield. Neither team could find the net again, with Andy Howell coming closest when his free kick in the last minute hit the crossbar, and the game went into extra time.

Ten minutes into the first period Gorleston conceded a penalty when the referee spotted some pushing by Howell. Cranfield converted to give his side the lead.

The game became fractious and the Greens should have had a penalty when a blatant handball, which even the Felixstowe players admitted, was not given by referee Mr Potkins. Gorleston looked a threat in the closing stages but the Seasiders keeper Danny Crump kept his side in it with some top drawer saves.

Gorleston: James Bergin, Gary Williams (Joe Marsden 80), Reece Hunn, Zak Clarke, Andy Howell, Josh Armes, Jack Garrod (Bradley Hough 70), Chris Sandford, Ally McKenna, Christy Finch, David Hinton (Liam Harvey-Cooper 85)

Felixstowe & Walton Utd: Danny Crump, Kris Haighton, Jamie Cole, Matt Buckle, Andy Crump, Lewis Pemberton, Remi Garrett, Darius Laws, Jordan Matthews, Ben Cranfield, Nathan Szyszlyk, Subs: Steve Ray, Zehnn Young, Ryan Charles

Attendance: 64