Several Town players had to miss the game through illness and injury and after their win at Stotfold in midweek Town set up in a 4-4-2 formation and within a couple of minutes James Hatch had a half chance but a defender denied him with a well timed tackle.

Both teams looked eager to attack and the game was certainly being played at a high tempo in the early stages.

In the 7th minute Alex OBrien won a free kick just outside the box and he took the resulting free kick which was diverted by a defender for a corner kick.

Two minutes after this Dom Marsala displayed his skills to beat 2 opponents but his shot was then blocked by a defender. Marsala then shot well wide from another corner.

Town were looking the better of the two teams when in possession but the final ball was not always good enough to create a serious threat.

In the 28th minute a long throw by Alex Condon was headed on by James Hatch and Tom Silford's final header required Molloy in the home goal to make a save at the foot of the post.

Three minutes later Town broke quickly down their left flank and Tom Silford slid the ball across to Marsala who looked sure to score but the keeper was off his line quickly to make a save.

Gorleston then broke quickly but Watts from a good position blazed his effort well wide of the Town goal.

A minute later only a terrific tackle by Matt Hall prevented Town from going behind. Drew Mitten then ran onto a long ball but fired a right footed shot into the side netting.

Town eventuall took the lead in the 42nd minute when Tom Silford unleashed a left footed shot that ripped high into the net.

Two minutes later Silford laid the ball square to Lewis McBride who drove a low shot into the bottom corner of the net to double Town's lead.

Gorleston made some tactical changes at half time pushing their captain, Ingram into midfield from left back and he was a major influence for the hosts who started the half in determined fashion.

In the 59th minute the hosts pulled a goal back when Watts fired the ball in from the left and it carried over Tom Wyant and into the far side of the net, was it a cross or was it a shot ?, the scorer said it was a shot, who can argue !!.

Within 4 minutes Gorleston had levelled the tie when Lambert drove a low shot across the goal and into the far corner.

After looking comfortable at half time Town were now in a real dogfight and five minutes later Gorleston looked as if they would go in front following a corner but Matt Hall kicked the ball off the line to rescue Town. Gorleston were now looking the livelier of the two sides and Town needed to up their game again.

In the 71st minute they won a corner on the left which went right across the goal before striking a home defender and dropping nicely for Tom Silford who knocked it into the net to restore Town's lead.

After working so hard to get back in the game Gorleston must have been disappointed to find themselves behind again. Both sides continued to attack and in the 81st minute Town created 3 consecutive chances but 2 shots were blocked by defenders before a third was saved by the keeper.

In the 84th minute town increased their lead after the home keeper made a good block the ball went out as far as Lewis McBride who superbly curled the ball home from about 25yards to restore Town's 2 goal advantage.

Town introduced 3 subs toward the end of the game but the hosts who had battled throughout were unable to score again and Town progressed through to Round 4.

This was an exciting and well contested game which was well refereed and over the 90 minutes Town were good value for their win.

The twenty Town fans who travelled with the team will have enjoyed the trip home.

NEXT GAME TUESDAY 5th DECEMBER
LEIGHTON TOWN V BIGGLESWADE TOWN
BEDS SENIOR CUP KO 7;45

Report by

Roy Parker