Gorleston 4, Norwich City 3 THREE goals in nine minutes turned the game around for Gorleston.Gorleston fielded on paper a weak side missing up to half the squad.

Gorleston 4, Norwich City 3

THREE goals in nine minutes turned the game around for Gorleston.

Gorleston fielded on paper a weak side missing up to half the squad. Martyn Vaudin took over the captaincy and called up Stuart Sahota and Peter Jones to steady the defence, with Lester Osborn making his debut and Barney King up front rather than in goal, where Stuart Bail deputised.

Gorleston conceded an early goal from James Hooper. But with flowing hockey Barney King and Lester Osborn made probing runs, causing havoc for the visitors' defence. But against the run of play City struck again as Charles Horn broke away before the interval.

Gorleston readjusted with Martyn Vaudin moving to a more forward role and Barney King midfield. This immediately resulted in a short corner and Peter Jones rifled the ball into the backboard.

Encouraged with Andrew Lilly and Simon Long marshalling the midfield and showing supreme fitness, Gorleston strived for the equaliser only for Charles Horn to break away again to give City a 3-1 lead.

Adam Stone stepped up for Gorleston with a magnificent solo run and at the top of the D found the roof of the net. Three minutes later Lester Osborn combined well for Peter Jones to score his second goal, rounding the keeper before slotting home from an acute angle.

Another short corner was won and Martyn Vaudin scored from a well-worked routine for 4-3.

A shell-shocked Norwich City pressed for an equaliser and fine tackling throughout the game particularly from man of the match Olly Barfield absorbed the pressure.

Gorleston showed some excellent battling qualities which will be put to the test as the league season gets under way this week with a derby against Lowestoft 1st X1.

The game is at Kirkley High School with a late pushback at 4pm. Transport leaves the Albion PH Gorleston at 2.30pm.