Pelicans II 7, Gorleston 2GORLESTON travelled with a depleted squad but at the start looked the better team, with several early breaks and probing runs.

Pelicans II 7, Gorleston 2

GORLESTON travelled with a depleted squad but at the start looked the better team, with several early breaks and probing runs. But with their first chance Pelicans took the lead.

This was followed by two more unanswered goals. Gorleston saw a glimmer of hope when they were awarded a penalty flick but Jamie Higginbotham's effort was stopped by a good save.

Gorleston were allowed to go on after the keeper had fouled outside his area but Martyn Vaudin saw his shot creep wide of the open goal. Good work from Russ Crawford ended with him making it 3-1. But Pelicans were allowed time and space to convert two more chances before the break.

Gorleston reshuffled the pack and changed formation for the second half. But again sloppy marking allowed Pelicans to score.

Gorleston then had Andrew Lilley sent to the sin bin for persistent back chat and fouling. A Pelicans player was also sin binned for a bad tackle.

With both teams down to 10 men Gorleston were the better team and with quick thinking following a foul, Jamie Higginbotham freed Simon Long and Russ Crawford up front and Simon slotted the ball home to give Gorleston some respectability.

With the clock running down Pelicans scored again. Gorleston at times played some very good hockey but were undone by too much arguing between themselves and not working as a team.

Next visitors to Cliff Park are Bury 2nd X1 with pushback at 2.30pm. Bury are currently lying in fourth position and Gorleston will need to start getting some points in the Division Three NE table if they are not to stay in potential relegation trouble.

Norfolk Nomads 5, Bury St Edmunds 4

SOME horror defending led to an exciting encounter in this Eastern League match on Halloween afternoon.

Nomads got off to a great start as Alan Spinks gave them the lead in the first couple of minutes. However, high-flying Bury soon equalised before Oli Mason scored twice to put Nomads in control.

Bury, playing some attractive hockey, pulled a goal back and were threatening again when a flowing move was rounded off by Alan Riches in fine style to put Nomads seemingly in control at 4-2.

Bury's unfailing enthusiasm was rewarded with two quick goals. Bury looked to be on the way to a dramatic victory as they pressed hard for a winner, but some fine defending kept them at bay and a superbly taken late goal from Oli Mason to complete his hat-trick allowed the home crowd to stream away happy.

Yarmouth Development Team 1, North Walsham Development Team 4

MISSING four regular players, Yarmouth went into the game against North Walsham with an inexperienced young team.

A large crowd saw Emily and Megan make their debuts and Catherine and Jess played a full game for the first time.

A strong Walsham team pressed from the off and Yarmouth were soon behind. Laura made some crucial saves and cool defending by Rebecca and Chris kept the score to 3-0.

The second half saw Yarmouth settle and play some good passing moves. Abbie is improving with every game and is looking very solid at right midfield. Jill and Chris moved the ball well enabling Catherine, Jess and Hannah to run at the defence.

The loudest cheer of the afternoon was for the youngest player on the pitch, Catherine, who received a long pass from Chris on the left to slot the ball past the keeper for her first goal for the club.

A good all-round performance as the foundations are laid for a new chapter in Yarmouth Hockey Club through the coaching and development of this young team.

PoM: Laura and Rebecca.

Pelicans Development 0, Yarmouth Development 1

Both sides were evenly matched in an end-to-end game. A hard-working Yarmouth defence prevented Pelicans from taking the advantage, Laura making some important saves.

Rolling subs Jess and Catherine are beginning to relish their contribution to the game, never giving up and chasing back.

Hannah led the front line, with Georgie and Lilyella on the wings surging forward.

Lilyella got her reward with her first goal of the season, giving Yarmouth a well-deserved win.