Gorleston right out of luck as visitors Stowmarket leave with points
Connor Deeks is denied on a frustrating evening at Emerald Park. Picture: David Hardy - Credit: Archant
Big-spending Stowmarket came to Emerald Park on Tuesday, had two shots on target and went away with all three points.
Ricci Butler made two changes to the side that had beaten Saffron Walden. Mitch McKay was injured and Elliott Hannant dropped to the bench, with Jason Thompson and Jay Turner coming in.
This was the best the Greens have played so far this season, with some sublime passing and movement, but a combination of poor finishing and an inspired goalkeeper in Craig Brand meant they suffered their first defeat of the season.
Gorleston were up against it after just 32 seconds. A sweeping crossfield pass found Ethan Clarke on the left. He cut inside and had plenty of time to unleash a shot that gave Taurean Molloy no chance.
The Greens soon began to find their feet with only defensive blocks denying Joel Watts, Connor Ingram and Ismael Fatadjo. Shortly before the break Watts and Fatadjo combined and this time the frame of the goal kept the ball out.
Gorleston had been the better team but two minutes into the second half hit the self-destruct button. Luke Goreham made a challenge he didn’t need to make and appeared to win the ball, but the attacker went down and the referee pointed to the spot. With a run up more akin to a fast bowler, Josh Mayhew made no mistake with the penalty.
Connor Ingram saw a free-kick turned around the post by Brand before the keeper reacted quickly to tip over an effort from the resultant corner.
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After 65 minutes Brand again was at the centre of the action, firstly keeping out Aarron Taylor’s header then reacting quickly to deny Deeks superbly low down from close range on the follow up.
It looked like Gorleston had pulled a goal back with nine minutes remaining when a superb whipped in cross from Reece Hunn found Fatadjo just inside the box and he finished superbly in mid air with the outside of his foot, past the keeper. Then the linesman’s flag went up.
Match sponsor David Hudson awarded the Batemans man-of-the-match to Kyle Ingram but the whole team deserve credit for their performance.
Gorleston: T Molloy, L Goreham, R Hunn, J Thompson, C Deeks, A Taylor, K Ingram, J Turner, J Watts, C Ingram, I Fatadjo.
Attendance: 127.
