AFTER friendlies against Lowestoft, North Walsham and Acle, Great Yarmouth Town are sending a team to the annual Sailor Brown Memorial Trophy on Sunday at Emerald Park, Gorleston, starting 10am.

The Bloaters continue their pre-season campaign with a trip to Sheringham on Thursday for the Michael Wright Memorial Trophy, ko 7:45pm.

Manager Paul Tong said: “These friendlies are giving give us the chance to look at the full senior squad. We have lost a few players from last season but hope to replace them with a few new faces. What is important is the continued development of our youth players, who have progressed through the ranks of the youth team and reserves to gain first team experience last year.”

North Walsham 1, Great Yarmouth XI 0

The Bloaters sent a mixed squad of first and reserve players to Anglian Combination North Walsham on Saturday. Both sides took time to settle down in windy and wet conditions with most of the action taking place in midfield before Joe Bell’s 14th minute cross found Stathie Steer, who shot wide.

Striker Olly McCarthy had a shot saved at the second attempt and a free-kick by Lee Roscoe was easily saved. Jake Jessup in goal was rarely tested.

The Bloaters made five changes at half-time and Peter Souza in goal tipped a header over. After 58 minutest a triple save from Souza kept the Angels at bay.

Roscoe had a shot well saved after 70 minutes and three minutes later a cross-come-shot by Bell hit thebar and bounce to safety.

Yarmouth fell behind when a defensive mix-up allowed an unmarked Walsham attacker to shoot past Souza for the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute.

Yarmouth squad: J Jessup, J Page, J Bell, T Clark, D Baldock, O McCarthy, A Hanks, S Steer, L Roscoe, J Hart, B Hills, A Houghton, N Kemp, M White, P Souza, J Lutchmaya.

Great Yarmouth Town 1, Lowestoft Town 0

The Bloaters started their pre-season with a home friendly against Rymans Premier League side Lowestoft. Playing in their all pink strip supporting cancer charities again this season, Yarmouth edged out their neighbours with a hard fought victory.

Despite having the majority of the play in the early stages, the Trawlerboys rarely tested Jake Jessup in the Bloaters goal, with Yarmouth restricted to long-range shots which were mainly off target.

On 25minutes the Bloaters took the lead. James Page ran unchallenged from defence through midfield and passed to Olly McCarthy, whose throughball found Lee Roscoe who converted a fine shot.

An excellent fingertip save by Jessup from Andrew Cave-Brown prevented Lowestoft from equalising.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first, with Lowestoft dominant but unable to pierce a resolute Bloaters defence and Jessup in the Yarmouth goal.

Yarmouth still created chances, with the best falling to George Barnden whose effort was well saved.

Credit must be given to the Bloaters for their defensive display especially Chris Duffy, Adey Ager and Dan Baldcock and young Jake Jessup who looked solid throughout the match with his handling skills.

Great Yarmouth: Jake Jessup, James Page, Eddie Short, Dan Baldock, Adey Ager, Gareth Palmer, Johnny Miller, Stathie Steer, Olly McCarthy, Lee Roscoe, Joe Bell, Chris Duffy, George Barnden, Tommy Gardiner, Thomas Clark, Jakub Marczenko.