Gorleston, still in with a chance of a Ridgeons Division One top-three finish, travel to play Halstead tomorrow (3pm) and on Tuesday entertain their neighbours Great Yarmouth Town (7.

Gorleston, still in with a chance of a Ridgeons Division One top-three finish, travel to play Halstead tomorrow (3pm) and on Tuesday entertain their neighbours Great Yarmouth Town (7.45pm).

Tomorrow Gorleston Reserves entertain Hellesdon Reserves, kick-off 2.30pm.

Saffron Walden 3, Gorleston 0

THE Greens travelled to Essex on Saturday to play Saffron Walden who are another club with an eye on promotion to the Ridgeons Premier League, writes Mick Heard.

Gorleston's defeat was all the more disappointing when it was learned that Diss and Whitton, two of their rivals for the coveted third promotion spot, had suffered surprising defeats, both against lower placed opponents. Diss recovered Tuesday night to win at Fakenham.

Ely have secured promotion behind Tiptree United, who are already crowned champions.

Seven other sides including Gorleston are separated by five points, but some of these teams have played more matches than others and some still have to play each other.

Gorleston were without Adam Thurtle on Saturday through injury and Kyle Howell was again in central defence to cover for him. Louis Turner was at right-back. Ricci Butler and Nathan Thompson were missing through injury, while Regan Harman was on holiday. Nathan Drake, Mitch Forbes and Sam Jones were the substitutes.

It was a very even first half with few chances created, with Gorleston having slightly more of the attacking play.

Richard Chadwick, the Saffron Walden left-winger, who scored twice for the Bloods in the 2-2 draw at Gorleston, sent a good effort wide.

Gary Ingram and Gary Todd were both caught offside following a through ball from Jack Marsden. The play switched to the other end and a Saffron Walden corner was cleared by the Gorleston defence.

The hosts lost their midfielder Tommy Butchart through injury and he was replaced by Spike Bell.

A free-kick by Jack Marsden was cleared at the expense of a corner but Gorleston could not profit. Chadwick shot wide for Saffron Walden and as Gorleston then broke down their right a close offside decision was given. Walden's tall No. 5 Matt Danbury was given a yellow card for a foul on Peter Lambert.

Gorleston produced a good move on their left started by Luke Goreham and continued by Gary Ingram and Pete Lambert, which was cleared after a scramble in the goalmouth.

The start to the second half was disastrous for Gorleston as they went 2-0 down after four minutes.

Ben Riches, Saffron Walden's leading scorer, had been well controlled by Greens' captain Eddie Thompson in the first half, but following a quick break in the 47th minute he fired home a low drive.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 when Riches cut in from the right and drove the ball past keeper Tom Marsden.

Gorleston were visibly shocked and on 57 minutes the match was virtually beyond them. After an attack broke down on the right, Saffron Walden reacted quickly and substitute Bell scored from close-range.

To make matters worse for the Greens they were reduced to 10 men when Louis Turner was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card, although this decision seemed harsh.

Gorleston used all three substitutes but there were no further goals and very few chances.

Team (4-3-3): T Marsden; L Turner, K Howell, E Thompson, L Goreham, P Lambert, R Fruin, J Marsden, G Todd, G Ingram, J Bell. Subs M Forbes, N Drake, S Jones.

Gorleston Football Club will organise a coach for supporters on May 5 for the Ridgeons Cup final at Diss (kick-off 3pm) if sufficient interest is shown.

All inquiries to Mick Heard or any committee member. The coach will leave Emerald Park at 12.30pm if this goes ahead.

Easter draw - The following have not as yet collected their prizes from the club's Easter draw: Paul Gallard (ticket 754) prize 1, D Hudson (651) prize 20, C Smith (502) prize 22, Jock (565) prize 24. Prizes can be collected from the clubhouse on match days.