Downham Town 1, Gorleston 2GORLESTON returned from the Memorial Field with a hard-earned win to extend their unbeaten league run to seven games, writes David Hardy.

Downham Town 1, Gorleston 2

GORLESTON returned from the Memorial Field with a hard-earned win to extend their unbeaten league run to seven games, writes David Hardy.

Downham were on top in the early stages, but it was the Greens who drew first blood after 12 minutes. Peter Lambert's deep cross was headed back across goal by Kevin Howes for Luke Goreham to tuck away.

Lambert had a chance himself four minutes later after Gary Todd was fouled but put his effort wide.

The home side drew level after breaking down the left from a Gorleston attack. Elliot Pride could only palm John Connolly's cross/shot into the path of Dale Twaite-Smith who tapped into the empty net.

Luke Goreham shot wide and Danny Foulsham saw his shot blocked at the other end before the teams went in at the break all square.

Downham had the first effort of the second half when Ben Coe shot from long range, Pride gathering at the second attempt.

The end-to-end action continued with Howes' flick putting Mitch Forbes in, but keeper Jamie Gollands was out quickly to block. Connolly just failed to connect after Foulsham drilled the ball across the Gorleston box.

After 56 minutes the Greens were back in front when a route-one ball found Howes who coolly lobbed it over the out-rushing keeper and into the net.

Downham made a double substitution taking off Foulsham and Connolly, which was something of a surprise as they had looked their most dangerous attackers.

Gorleston had the better of the closing stages. Goreham fired across goal, a Howes shot was blocked and Scott Butler's free-kick was turned round the post by the goalkeeper.

Manager Richard Daniels said: “I couldn't believe how poor we were in the first half. Sometimes you have to come to places like this and battle for the points.”

Team: Elliot Pride, DJ Kareche, Tom Daniels, Callum Webb, Adam Ferguson, Eddie Thompson, Adam Thurtle, Kevin Howes, Gary Todd, Pete Lambert, Luke Goreham, used subs Mitch Forbes, Scott Butler

The first team take on Ipswich Wanderers at Emerald Park tomorrow (Saturday) 3pm, with the reserves travelling to Hellesdon in the Norfolk Junior Cup. The U18 side entertains Norwich United on Wednesday.