Gorleston 2, Stowmarket 1GORLESTON progressed to the semi-finals of the Ridgeons First Division Knockout Cup with two goals in the last eight minutes on Tuesday, following on their league win over promotion rivals Diss at the weekend, writes David Hardy.

Gorleston 2, Stowmarket 1

GORLESTON progressed to the semi-finals of the Ridgeons First Division Knockout Cup with two goals in the last eight minutes on Tuesday, following on their league win over promotion rivals Diss at the weekend, writes David Hardy.

Tomorrow, the Greens visit a March team just below them in the league.

With Kevin Howes out after suffering a broken shoulder against Diss, Michael Tacon started alonside Mitch Forbes up front in Tuesday's cup game. Aaron Bowers was also out injured and Sean Blowers unavailable.

Tacon had the first chance in the opening minute, but fired straight at the keeper. Gorleston dominated possession and were playing keep ball at times, but Stowmarket seemed happy to let the Greens have the ball in their own half and then counter-attack with pace.

For all Gorleston's possession there was little penetration or movement up front with Eddie Thompson at times almost a right winger.

After 23 minutes a through ball from Dan Tredray found Ollie Canfor. The Greens' defence parted like the Red Sea and Canfor skipped through to fire the ball past Elliot Pride.

Gorleston were more purposeful in the second half, playing at a higher tempo. Callum Webb had an early shot go well wide before a Luke Goreham volley from just inside the area rattled back off the bar.

A Jamie Stockeld thunderbolt from the edge of the box was well saved by the keeper and Darren Cockrill lifted a 25-yard effort onto the roof of the net.

Goreham had another shot palmed out by keeper Ross Charters into a crowded penalty area, but it fell nicely for a defender to clear. As the Greens pressed for an equaliser the danger was they would be caught at the back, but Adam Thurtle, at times a lone defender, always seemed in the right place.

After 78 minutes Harry Maddison, who had replaced Mitch Forbes, broke clear and headed towards the box only to be stopped in his tracks by the referee awarding Gorleston a free-kick back on the halfway line.

With eight minutes to go the Greens got the goal they deserved when a Tacon cross was headed back across goal by Cockrill and Maddison nodded in from close range.

Goreham had another effort drift over and with two minutes to go Tacon had a header saved, the ball rebounding to Cockrill who headed it against the top of the bar.

With the game moving into time added on, Goreham was fouled 20 yards out. The free-kick was whipped in towards the far post where captain Eddie Thompson arrived to head the winner.

Team: Elliot Pride, Tom Daniels, Luke Goreham, Adam Thurtle, Darren Cockrill, Eddie Thompson, Jamie Stockeld, John Bell, Michael Tacon, Mitch Forbes, Callum Webb used subs Harry Maddison, Adam Mills.