Gorleston have to wait for breathing space

Gorleston 3, Godmanchester Rovers 0

GORLESTON put Godmanchester under pressure from the kick-off on Saturday, writes David Hardy.

Aaron Bowers had two early shots go wide before the Greens took the lead in the fifth minute. A Steve Taylor corner was whipped in to the near post where it was met with a superb Peter Lambert header.

Gorleston continued to press and create chances, the best seven minutes after the goal, Lambert side-footed wide from eight yards. The Greens should have had the game sown up before Godmanchester came back into it.

Elliot Pride had to be at his best midway through the half to keep out a Rob Ruddy header and seven minutes later he had to get down sharply to keep out a Paul Bass flick at the near post. Four minutes into the second half it was Jake Bortan's turn to be denied by Pride.

Jamie Stockeld had a shot parried by Rovers keeper Ryan Rayner, Lambert followed up but saw his shot rebound back off the foot of the post. Lambert was thwarted again when he headed a free-kick straight at the keeper.

Gorleston's final ball was either missing or not good enough until the 73rd minute when they finally gave themselves some breathing space. An excellent Chris Sandford ball set Reece Hunn away on the left wing. His cross fell to Taylor who calmly took a touch before curling the ball into the corner from 20 yards.

Liam Bartley came on for Hunn and with a minute to go burst through, was fouled on the edge of the box by a last-man defender but picked himself up to slide the ball back for Gary Williams to thump in to make it three.

Credit to Mr Quick for playing a good advantage, allowing Gorleston to score and saving a defender from receiving a red card.

Luke Goreham came on for Steve Taylor on the left for the closing stages, receiving a good reception, and it was good to see him back on the field.