Greens have chance of promotion

Having completed four very difficult away fixtures at Diss, Ely, Saffron Walden and Halstead which produced one win, a draw and two defeats ahead of Tuesday's home derby draw, Gorleston finish their Ridgeons Division One campaign with two home fixtures still in the chase for the third promotion spot.

They entertain FC Clacton tomorrow (3pm) and finally March on May 3 (3pm).

They are eighth with 57 points from 34 games with Hadleigh (60 points from 34 games) occupying the third spot in the 36-match campaign.

Tomorrow, voting slips for first team and reserves players of the season will be available.

If any fans wish to travel to Diss on Monday, May 5 for the Ridgeons Cup final between Gorleston and Needham Market, they should contact Mick Heard or any committee member to book a seat on the coach which will leave Emerald Park at 12.30pm.

Gorleston 3, Yarmouth 3

This Emerald Park derby saw many twists and turns but all in all saw a fair result. Both teams will be disappointed in that Gorleston took the lead twice and Yarmouth then took a late lead, only for Gorleston to equalise on 90 minutes.

Gorleston will be very disappointed at dropping two points as other promotion rivals also failed to capitalise.

For neutrals this was obviously a good match to watch, played in a good spirit and with six goals.

Gorleston could not have made a better start, taking the lead after one minute when Matty Bowles broke quickly down the right and lifted the ball over Yarmouth

keeper Elliott Pride for a very

well-taken goal.

Mark Thompson was very impressive for the Bloaters raiding down the left wing. Matty Bowles was a constant danger for the Greens with his bursts at full speed on the right.

Gorleston had an excellent chance to go two ahead when Peter Lambert broke clear of his marker but shot inches wide of the far post.

This miss proved costly as on 14 minutes Adam Sewell reacted quickly following a scramble in the Gorleston area to slot home the equaliser.

Gorleston reacted well and had the better chances, a succession of shots blocked in the Yarmouth goalmouth.

Gorleston re-took the lead after 31 minutes when Gary Todd was on the spot to push the ball home.

For the rest of the half play was even with Yarmouth centre-half Gareth Palmer a commanding figure, especially in aerial battles.

In the second period Yarmouth gradually gained more of the possession with their captain and former Gorleston player Johnathan Watt seeing plenty of the ball at right-back and starting many attacks.

Gorleston had a “goal” disallowed and a number of free-kicks were awarded to each side. Most Gorleston corner kicks were claimed by Pride.

Luke Goreham at left-back was busy breaking up attacks and setting Gorleston moves up. Stewart Roach, Yarmouth's prolific centre-forward, was being well marshalled by Gorleston skipper Eddie Thompson, but he equalised on 71 minutes when the ball came across from the left and he found himself space to fire in the equaliser.

Gorleston's forwards were being caught offside and Yarmouth appeared to have gained all three points when they scored with an excellent free-kick from midfielder Steve Taylor.

Gorleston came back immediately and Richie Fruin hit a spectacular shot which Pride pushed onto the bar.

Gorleston have conceded a number of late goals this season but this time they scored one themselves on 90 minutes. They attacked down their left and sheer persistence by Luke Goreham saw him seize his chance and place the ball across Pride into the net.

Gorleston (4-3-3): T Marsden, K Howell, E Thompson, A Thurtle, L Goreham, P Lambert, J Marsden, R Fruin, M Bowles, G Todd, G Ingram. Subs: J Bell, R Butler, P Todd, L Turner, S Jones.

Yarmouth (4-4-2): E Pride, J Watt, G Palmer, T Gorbould, S Watts, D Smith, S Taylor, R Oldham, M Thompson, S Roach, A Sewell. Subs; P Dyer, L Perry, T Gardiner.