Gorleston 7, Norwich City III 2GORLESTON bounced back from a terrible start to secure their best win of the season so far against a young but pacey Norwich City side.

Gorleston 7, Norwich City III 2

GORLESTON bounced back from a terrible start to secure their best win of the season so far against a young but pacey Norwich City side.

With Jason Austin and skipper Kevin MacDonald back in the line-up and welcoming Stuart Brain in goal in the absence of Barney King, Stuart must have wondered what the afternoon had in store for him when the visitors shot into a two-goal lead following some uncharacteristic errors from the defence in front of him.

First, on the unpredictable surface, the ball bobbled over two Gorleston sticks and the City winger was away down the right wing to centre for Toby Leonard to convert at the far post on the stretch.

Then minutes later, on the other wing, a similar move saw the ball pulled back in the D to Adi Marr who made no mistake with his finish.

Rattled but not undaunted, Gorleston pushed forward and it was man-of-the-match Martyn Vaudin who got the side moving on 15 minutes by cleverly releasing Russ Crawford, who comfortably beat the City keeper

one-on-one.

Then nine minutes later it was Russ' turn to become provider when again following good work by Martyn he drew the keeper and squared for Malcolm Berry to equalise.

Suddenly it was the visitors whose heads dropped, and some of the younger members of their squad appeared rattled by the superior fair, if sometimes physical, approach of the home side.

Sensing this, Gorleston raised their game and shortly before half-time defender Andrew Lilly appeared unmarked in the City D to fire home for Gorleston to lead for the first time.

The second half was very much one-way traffic on the visitors' goal.

Six minutes in and from a short corner Jamie Higginbotham scored with his first drag-flick before extending lead to three by deflecting in a Russ Crawford strike 10 minutes later.

Gorleston brought on as their substitute another new player, Sam Raymond, but before he could settle in on the right wing it was Stuart Brain's turn to produce the save of the game to deprive Adi Marr of his second goal at the other end.

But there was no stopping Gorleston now. They returned to the attack and 15 minutes from time Russ Crawford was on hand to score his second and Gorleston's sixth.

A couple of bad challenges saw Nick Mobbs and Andrew Lilly warned for their conduct, and the game was then played out quietly to a final flourish.

A free-hit awarded to Gorleston just outside the D was taken by Mark Vaudin whose powerful strike was deflected by Monty Raymond over the defensive wall and into the far corner of the City net.

Next, Gorleston travel to take on the former NU side Norwich Dragons II with a push-back on the new

all-weather surface at Hobart High School, Loddon at 4.30pm. Transport leaves the Albion PH at 3.15 pm.

Gorleston remain fifth in the Division 3NE of the NE14 East Men's League table with 15 points, and their opponents are eighth on eight.

On Sunday in their third round HA Vase match, Gorleston are up against a southern division side Newbury and Thatcham 1st X1 at Cliff Park with push-back at 1 pm.

The match will be played to a conclusion with extra-time and penalties if necessary, and spectators are very welcome.