Gorleston 0, Dereham Town 2

Gorleston bowed out of the Norfolk Senior Cup in this much-postponed game, but were not disgraced against the Ridgeons League championship favourites.

Elliot Pride was unavailable so Jack Whatmough stood in. Steve Taylor was also unavailable.

Peter Lambert returned to the side following a successful cricketing trip to Barbados, where his team won. Lambert hit a century and was awarded the trophy for leading run scorer, with 221 runs, the first time the award has been won by an Englishman in the history of the competition.

In the warm-up Thomas Daniels was taken ill so the Greens had to make a late change to the line-up.

Gorleston went on the attack straight away with Lambert having a shot in the fourth minute. It was end-to-end stuff with some superb saves from Whatmough.

In the 35th minute Mitch Forbes was unlucky not to score when his shot was cleared off the line. Half-time: 0-0.

In the second half Dereham went on the attack but Gorleston defended well.

Midway through the half the Magpies took the lead through a left-foot shot from outside the box by Nicky Howell.

The Greens felt they should have had a penalty when Lambert was pushed in the area, but claims were turned down.

Almost immediately Dereham made the game safe when sub Kenny Reeves netted after rounding Whatmough.

Dereham manager Matt Henman said: “The first half was a little bit scrappy but fairly even. I was quite impressed with the way Gorleston passed the ball and they were difficult to break down.

“In the second half Gorleston had two good chances before we scored, but once we scored we took control.”

The majority of Greens supporters felt they had seen a great game and it proved to everyone Gorleston are more than capable of holding their own against Premier Division opposition.

Gorleston: Whatmough, Kareche, Blowers, Williams, Thurtle, Thompson, Sandford, Hough, Forbes, Mitchell, Lambert, Daniels, Herbert, Oldham, Cockrill, Hunn.

Weather permitting, Gorleston will be playing at Stowmarket tomorrow. Stow are top of the league and set a new league record with a 13-0 away victory at Cornard last week.

The Reserves will be at home to Leiston, after which the Christmas raffle will be drawn.