Gorleston 6, Lowestoft Railway 2GORLESTON started the new season embracing the new rules which has meant a new formation and new tactics. With several key players unavailable, injured, or pulling out at the 11th hour, Gorleston had just 11 players.

Gorleston 6, Lowestoft Railway 2

GORLESTON started the new season embracing the new rules which has meant a new formation and new tactics. With several key players unavailable, injured, or pulling out at the 11th hour, Gorleston had just 11 players.

The game started at a high tempo, end to end. As the Gorleston defence settled, the team got hold of the midfield with new signing Richard Pallister's terrier-like performance winning the ball in key positions.

Jamie Clarkson and Simon Long combined for a slick passing move down the right for Russ Crawford to slot the ball under the keeper to give Gorleston the lead.

Good work from Olly Barfield and Malcolm Berry forced several short corners. Once Mark Vaudin had found a ball he liked, Gorleston converted one, with Jamie Higginbotham drag flicking into the bottom right corner to give Gorleston a two-goal lead.

They camped outside the Lowestoft D and a melee inside the Lowestoft area saw the ball fall for Martyn Vaudin to chip into the net. Gorleston strolled into half-time with a three-goal lead.

In the opening minutes of the second half Gorleston's defence were caught napping when a Railway forward rode several challenges before converting a difficult chance. Gorleston's midfield were showing signs of tiredness from the heat and so the short, sharp passing of the first half become longer and was easier to cut out, opening the game up.

It took a moment of brilliance from Jamie Clarkson to turn Railway's Ross Trindle inside- out before volleying the ball into the top left corner to extend Gorleston's lead.

Not fully clearing their lines let Railway slip in another goal. With both teams looking tired, Gorleston were happy to see Russ Crawford pop up again in the D and lift the ball into the side of the goal to make the score 5-2.

Gorleston's defence saw several hard tackles from Nick Mobbs, and an exceptional diving tackle from Mark Vaudin. With the clock running down, Gorleston saw another attack down the right being converted by Russ Crawford, who picked the rebound up and reverse flicked the ball into the net to make the score 6-2 at the final whistle.

Gorleston can take heart from this performance and can only get better for the start of the league season.

Training on Tuesdays, 6-8pm at Cliff Park High School. Juniors (eight to 12 years), 6-7pm Tuesdays at Cliff Park High School. Contact Robert Jones 07929009018.