Gorleston 4, Dereham III 0GORLESTON continued their push towards promotion with another fine win, completing the double at the expense of mid-table Dereham III.

Gorleston 4, Dereham III 0

GORLESTON continued their push towards promotion with another fine win, completing the double at the expense of mid-table Dereham III.

Gorleston have by far the best defensive record in Division Four North East of the NE14 Hockey East Men's League this season with only 17 goals conceded, and they coped easily with the visitors' attack, leaving keeper Barney King a spectator for much of the game.

Missing captain Kevin MacDonald and Tim Mobbs, Gorleston's midfield performance by their high recent standard was at times below par. But they got off to a bright enough start when Peter Jones scored after 10 minutes, coolly converting the cross which followed a swift move down the right flank.

Then the game drifted away from them as players tried to over-elaborate and Dereham defended stoically but without posing much threat.

With the sun at their backs Gorleston's second-half play was an improvement and Peter Jones struck the right chord when, from a quickly-taken hit-in by the corner flag after seven minutes, he powered the ball past Dereham's helpless keeper.

A few minutes later the ball was in the visitors' circle again, and when the defence failed to clear Russ Crawford was given time to control the ball and place it just inside the right post.

With the points secure Gorleston again eased up and Dereham came back into the game.

Twice it needed the cool head of MoM Ben Goodman to make telling interceptions.

Five minutes from time Gorleston struck again. As the ball bobbled about the Dereham circle Jamie Higginbotham popped up to seal a victory which was perhaps slightly flattering to them.

Next comes the most important game for the rest of Gorleston's season as they take on league leaders Ipswich IV X1 at their Henley Road ground.

Three points behind but with a game in hand Gorleston need to win this if they are to be real championship contenders as the home side have a massive goal advantage in their favour.

Pushback is at the earlier time of 10.30am and transport leaves the Albion at 8am.

Norfolk Nomads 3, Felixstowe 2

TWO goals from the fleet-footed Hedley Brown secured three points and third place in the league for the Nomads, who had spent much of the second half contriving to lose the game.

Nomads began the game well and their high tempo soon had Felixstowe under pressure. Hedley Brown made it 1-0 and shortly afterwards James Halls, roaming around the pitch with the freedom of a man exploring a country for the first time, slotted home a sharp cross to make it 2-0.

The experienced Nomads then seemed to lose their concentration, playing with a lack of intelligence and pushing too hard in search of the third goal.

The exposed Nomads' defence were then caught out, the ball making contact with the feet of Gerry Barnes to concede a penalty and make the score 2-1 at half-time.

The second half saw the Nomads drift aimlessly in the afternoon sun, and Felixstowe equalised with a well-worked free hit.

This seemed to galvanise the home side and it was the reliable Brown who struck the superb winner with just five minutes remaining.