Greens slump to third defeat in a row

Gorleston’s slump continued with this defeat which made it one Premier Division point taken from the last 12.

The Greens were without the suspended Reece Hunn, Ally McKenna, Jack Marsden, Ricci Butler and Eddie Thompson, with George Jermy filling in at left back and Kyle Howell at the centre of defence.

Both teams created little by way of chances in the opening 10 minutes with the first Ely attack being thwarted by the returning Carl Poppy with a neat piece of defending.

However, on 11 minutes a free kick awarded to Ely 20 yards from goal was cleverly lobbed by Murray on to the head of Claydon, who looped the ball over Elliott Pride to score the opener, writes Alan Gordon.

Gorleston responded with some clever play and a shot by Harvey-Cooper was parried by Pacey in the Ely goal, the rebound blasted wide by Hough.

A run down the line by Ely’s Murray was halted by a Jermy tackle resulting in a corner on 25 minutes which was easily gathered by Pride in the Gorleston goal.

A good pass found Bradley Hough who’se effort whilst off balance was easily saved by the Ely keeper. A further Hough effort was again saved on 32 minutes.

The Greens were making some inroads when they played passing football with the industrious Hinton working hard in the middle and a good ball to Hough, who played a neat pass to Christy Finch, saw the latter’s shot cannon back off the corner of the goal on 42 minutes.

Two minutes later further Gorleston pressure earned a corner but it came to nothing and at half time Ely led 1-0.

Gorleston started the second half better and a Poppy run down the line produced a good pass that saw a Chris Sandford effort saved by Pacey on 47 minutes.

Gorleston were now playing better football with Harvey-Cooper showing great skill to get the ball out of his feet and his pass found Hinton who saw his shot well blocked.

From the resulting corner Pacey tipped a Gorleston effort over the bar.

Gorleston, although still below par, were playing the better football with Ely resorting to sitting back and playing the long ball.

A clever Williams free kick on the hour mark caused problems in the Ely defence.

The Greens continued to press and against the run of play Ely scored a second when the Gorleston players hesitated expecting a free kick and Murray played a long diagonal ball that was taken down by Nick Impey and driven past Pride.

Gorleston went in search of a goal but it was Ely who nearly scored next when Pride saved a Josh Bridgemby effort on 68 minutes.

Ely: Lee Pacey, Sam Parkinson, Adam Murray, Ben Lawrence, Nick Impey, Josh Curry, Josh Bridgemby, Andrew Claydon, Austen Diaper, Luke Parkinson. Subs Taz Chizango, Richard Chadwick, Darren Coe, Chris Sterecki, Richard Gammjn.

Goals: Claydon 11, Impey 65

Gorleston: Elliot Pride, Carl Poppy, George Jermy (Josh Armes 87), Gary Williams (Steve Taylor 80), Andy Howell, David Hinton, Chris Sandford, Christy Finch, Bradley Hough, Liam Harvey-Cooper (Jack Garrod 73).

Att:77