Hockey win for Gorleston

UEA II 0, Gorleston 2

GORLESTON'S return to league hockey after the mid-season break was achieved with a satisfactory if unspectacular win over bottom club UEA II at the university's Sportspark on Saturday.

With Russ Crawford and Mark Vaudin on the injury list and Jason Austin still nursing his way back to full fitness, Gorleston welcomed former Harleston and Lowestoft Railway player Simon Long to the team and his mobility up front was to be a constant threat to the students. He was rewarded with the opening goal after 12 minutes when he latched onto a short-corner rebound and clipped the ball over the advancing keeper with a reverse sweep.

Despite not having won a match

this season, UEA seem to have strengthened their squad and ought to do better this second half. They certainly played some attractive hockey at times to bring the best out of the reshuffled Gorleston defence.

But Barney King in goal was at his best and his command of the D, particularly when one on one with the UEA forwards, made sure no-one got past him and there was little likelihood of an equaliser.

Gorleston, going forward, were always the more threatening and when their lead was doubled after half an hour there was no way back for the hosts - Jamie Higginbotham slipping several tough tackles on the halfway line before speeding down the right and into the circle to fire home.

The game was played out fairly quietly. With several more missed chances and misplaced passes both sides seemed to be on their best behaviour, possibly as a result of some of them being disciplined in the last game between the two clubs and experienced umpires Norman Hart and Hugh Wiltshire in charge.

Next is the return local derby game with Lowestoft at Cliff Park Community pitch with push-back 2.30pm. Lowestoft currently lie eigth on 11 points in Division 3NE of the NE14 East Men's League three places behind Gorleston on 24 points.