UEA 5, Gorleston 2This was a disappointing result for Gorleston, who never really got going against a very useful UEA side until it was far too late.

UEA 5, Gorleston 2

This was a disappointing result for Gorleston, who never really got going against a very useful UEA side until it was far too late.

Welcoming back Nick and Johnny Mobbs, along with Russ Crawford, but missing skipper Kevin MacDonald, the defence coped well enough with the skilful students' attack in the first half and were unlucky to concede an early goal when a shot from Alex Barton was deflected by Andrew Lilly into his own net.

Gorleston had chances to equalise, but for once the forward line was finding it difficult to control the final pass, and when Barton nipped in after 22 minutes to score UEA's second, the visitors were clearly going to struggle to take any points.

In the second half Gorleston continued to press forward, but by now there was a hint of desperation in their play.

Damien Bunting, who had been cautioned for an earlier challenge, received his first yellow card for a similar offence, and in his absence UEA capitalised with three quickly taken goals - all of them profiting from having an unmarked player hovering in the Gorleston D, as the rest of the defence pushed forward to try and salvage something from the game.

But on getting back to full strength, and at 5-0 down, the match turned Gorleston's way. Ten minutes from time Jamie Higginbotham converted a short-corner and when he repeated this two minutes later. Suddenly it was the students whose backs were to the wall. But then came an incident which may have far-reaching repercussions.

In a tackle, Damien was hit over the head by a UEA stick and he committed the cardinal sin of retaliating. Both players were sin-binned for the rest of the game, but there appears to be the possibility that Damien's offence may have been upgraded to a red, which could then attract disqualification and penalties for a significant period.

Next, Gorleston entertain Norwich City III at Cliff Park, push-back 2.30pm.

Lying fifth in Division Three NE of the NE14 East Men's League table with 12 points, and with City third from bottom on five, Gorleston will be anxious to regain their winning form before a difficult match the following weekend. Then they visit Norwich Dragons II on Saturday, and play their third round HA Vase match against Newbury and Thatcham I at home on Sunday.