March Town United 1, Gorleston 0The road to Wembley closed early for the Greens after the long journey to March ended in disappointment.With Adam Thurtle, Matty Taunton, Luke Catchpole, Steve Taylor, Danny Mitchell and John Bell absent from the squad for various reasons, Gorleston went into the game somewhat depleted.

March Town United 1, Gorleston 0

The road to Wembley closed early for the Greens after the long journey to March ended in disappointment.

With Adam Thurtle, Matty Taunton, Luke Catchpole, Steve Taylor, Danny Mitchell and John Bell absent from the squad for various reasons, Gorleston went into the game somewhat depleted.

Harley Clements replaced Thurtle at the back whilst Shane Risby made his debut on the right in place of Scott Woodcock, who dropped to the bench.

Gary Williams began in central midfield with Craig Lewis coming in on the left. Liam Bartley, who scored 10 goals in 14 starts after joining the Greens at the end of last season, returned to the squad on the bench.

March created the early chances with Luke Pepper blazing over after 10 minutes and two minutes later heading wide from a corner.

Gorleston's best chance came after 16 minutes when a long Eddie Thompson ball picked out Shane Risby, who pulled it back to Mitch Forbes storming in at the far post-but his side-footed effort was a foot wide.

Midway through the half March took the lead when a long ball glanced off a defender's head to give Ashley Brand a free volley, which he took well.

Six minutes before half time March should have extended their lead when a Brand cross found Marc Welcher, but he sent his header straight to Pride.

Gorleston started the second half on the front foot with Gary Williams creating himself an opening in the first three minutes, but his effort was saved.

Two minutes later Tom Daniels appeared to be pulled back as he chased a ball into the box, but the ref gave nothing except a yellow card against Daniels for his protestations.

Denny Escorcio worked an opening for March but shot wide before Liam Bartley replaced Lewis to give Forbes some support up front. Forbes had the ball in the net just after the hour mark but had run a fraction early and was offside.

Bartley managed to create an opening midway through the half but couldn't direct the ball goalwards and then Brand dragged a shot wide as March pressed.

March keeper Lee Brookes tipped over a far-post Eddie Thompson effort but it was March who looked most likely to add to the scoreline. Thompson became an additional striker towards the end but even six minutes of injury time was not enough to create an equaliser.

Gorleston: Elliott Pride, Sean Blowers, Tom Daniels, Robbie Oldham (Michael King 73), Harley Clements, Eddie Thompson, Chris Sandford, Shane Risby (Scott Woodcock 63), Mitch Forbes, Gary Williams, Craig Lewis (Liam Bartley 57).

The Greens were due to travel to Thetford on Tuesday night but, with Thetford earning a replay in the FA Cup, the game has now been rearranged for September 21.

Tomorrow, Gorleston return to league action at home to Ipswich Wanderers, who beat Swaffham 4-2 in their only game so far this season.

Gorleston Reserves kick off their season tomorrow with a trip to play Debenham LC Reserves.