Gorleston 1, King's Lynn Reserves 6THE Greens were disappointed at Emerald Park on Saturday when they were beaten by an impressive King's Lynn Reserves side in the semi-finals of the Norfolk Senior Cup.

Gorleston 1, King's Lynn Reserves 6

THE Greens were disappointed at Emerald Park on Saturday when they were beaten by an impressive King's Lynn Reserves side in the semi-finals of the Norfolk Senior Cup.

Gorleston were without the services of Ricky Butler and Luke Goreham on the right midfield and left midfield respectively, both serving one-match suspensions, writes Mick Heard.

Consequently, the team had to reshuffle with Adam Thurtle moving from central midfield to the right

flank and John Bell switching to the left flank.

Gorleston matched the Linnets for the majority of the first half and created several chances, notably when Lee Hunter broke through and saw his shot well saved by Linnets' keeper Tom Rix and then Pete Lambert sent a header over the top when he got on the end of a free-kick.

The Gorleston defence of Kyle Howell, Eddie Thompson, Leon Harewood and Ben Manning had dealt well with the threat of the highly-rated Lynn striker Dominic Dwyer and his fellow forwards until a two-minute spell towards the the end of the first half.

On 37 minutes Gorleston conceded a free-kick on the right towards the corner flag and when this was not cleared centre-back Elliott Fiddy headed home from close range.

The home fans were stunned when two minutes later another cross set up Stephen Harvey to make the score 2-0.

In the second half Gorleston were again well in the tie. But the Lynn defence held firm.

On 68 minutes Dwyer broke free of the Gorleston defence to get his first real opportunity and he finished clinically to make the score 3-0 and virtually

seal a Carrow Road cup final place on April 15.

Gorleston threw all caution to the wind and Gary Ingram and Matt Bowles came off the bench to join Harry Maddison and Lee Hunter in a four-pronged attack.

Hunter fired over the bar, and when Gary Ingram set up Harry Maddison he lost his footing in front of goal and the chance was lost.

Gorleston switched to three at the back which unfortunately allowed a lively Lynn forward line to exploit the spaces on the flanks. In the final 10 minutes the Linnetsn took full advantage and scored through substitutes Ross Kelly, Luke Fell and Martin Rudd.

Lee Hunter scored a consolation goal for Gorleston with a superb lob from way out.

Lynn Reserves proved to be a very well-organised team who kept possession and quickly turned defence into attack. The Gorleston club will wish them all the best in the final.

King's Lynn Reserves manager Steve Lilley praised Gorleston later and said it wasn't as easy as the scoreline suggests.

Gorleston: Tom Marsden, Kyle Howell, Ben Manning, Steve Taylor, Leon Harewood, Eddie Thompson, John Bell, Pete Lambert, Lee Hunter, Harry Maddison, Adam Thurtle. Subs: Gary Ingram, Matty Bowles, Steve Bishop, Harley Clements, Anis Nialli.

Tomorrow Gorleston play a very important game when they entertain Debenham LC in the league at Emerald Park, ko 3pm. Support is required.

Gorleston Reserves will attempt to play their Norfolk Junior Cup semi-final game away to King's Lynn A, ko 2pm.