Norfolk Nomads I Xl 1, Gorleston 8GORLESTON opened the new hockey season with a convincing win in a friendly warm-up game over a side two divisions below them in the East Men's League.

Norfolk Nomads 1, Gorleston 8

GORLESTON opened the new hockey season with a convincing win in a friendly warm-up game over a side two divisions below them in the East Men's League.

With five of last season's regular missing through injury or on holiday absence, Gorleston's replacements slotted in easily to show the club's strength in depth, a factor which will no doubt face a stiff examination this season in the league following promotion.

Welcome new faces were Monty Raymond and Ross Trindle, both formerly with Lowestoft Railway, but also 15 year-old Johnny Mobbs, younger brother of last year's player of the year Nick Mobbs - all of them showing touches of real class in this match which should make the team selectors task a difficult but pleasant one.

The game itself was very one-sided - four Gorleston goals in each half with a late consolation for Nomads giving Mason Jerome in goal for the first time little opportunity to shine.

Scorers were Monty Raymond (2), Malcolm Berry (2), Nick Mobbs, Russ Crawford, Mark Vaudin and Ross Trindle.

Next, Gorleston welcome Norwich Dragons II (formerly Norwich Union) to Cliff Park Community Pitch at 2.30pm. Although another friendly match the Norwich side are also in Division Three North East so the result will be an early pointer as to how Gorleston fare over the weeks and months to come.