McKay the Key as Ish Inspires
Gorleston made it two wins from two in the league with a fine win at near neighbours Kirkley.
The Greens made one change from their opening two matches with Isaac Burrage recovering from a knock and replaced by Elliott Hannant. George Yusuff was captain for the day in his final game before heading off on a scholarship in America for which we wish him all the best.
The Greens began well and within two minutes Mitch McKay had brought a flying save out of Kirkley keeper Hayden Rogers.
Taurean Molloy palmed away a free kick up the other end before Gorleston took the lead in the 16th minute.
Ismael Fatadjo robbed Kyle Baker on the right before feeding Mitch McKay. McKay helped the ball on to Joel Watts who shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box for his first of the season.
McKay tried his luck from range again in the 20th minute, this time the fingertips of Rogers turned the ball onto the bottom of the post.
Five minutes later Liam Harvey-Cooper drilled an effort goalwards for the hosts but it was straight at Molloy.
Connor Ingram got on the end of McKay's through ball and went through one on one with the keeper but, for once, Ingram couldn't get the better of him.
Harvey-Cooper seemed to have broken clear into the box only to be brought back by the referee giving a free kick to him for handball. Then Kyle Haylock skipped past several Gorleston challenges before being denied by Molloy.
The Greens had looked the most dangerous team throughout the half and the only real surprise was that they had only one goal to show but they put that right seven minutes before the break.
Once again Fatadjo was involved, picking out Connor Ingram on the right. He pulled the ball back to McKay who tucked the ball home from in front of the goal.
Molloy once again denied Baker five minutes into the second half before Joel Watts looked to be clean through on goal until he was denied by an excellent tackle by Tarren Grint.
In the 56th minute Gorleston were given a superb chance to seal the points when McKay was brought down in the box. Connor Ingram stepped up to take the penalty but was denied by an excellent save.
However, two minutes later the points were secured. Connor Deeks saw an effort blocked but the ball fell nicely to McKay who drilled the ball unerringly into the top corner from twenty yards.
In the 68th minute Connor Ingram turned provider, sliding the ball through for Fatadjo who held off his challengers and slotted the ball calmly past the advancing keeper to cap his excellent performance with his first goal for the club.
That proved his last kick of the match as he was the substituted off but the reception he received from all supporters as he left the field showed what a prospect he is.
With the game won Gorleston sat back and Kirkley had a couple of efforts but Molloy was equal to all they could throw at him.
Gorleston: Taurean Molloy, George Yusuff (c), Luke Goreham, Mitch McKay (Max Woolsey 85), Connor Deeks, Aarron Taylor, Kyle Ingram, Elliott Hannant (Jordan Stanton 73), Joel Watts, Connor Ingram, Ismael Fatadjo (Jay Turner 68)
Booked: Deeks 9
Goals: Watts 16; McKay 38, 56; Fatadjo 68
Kirkley & Pakefield: Hayden Rogers, Tarren Grint, Kyle Haylock, Miguel Lopez (Lewis Hammond 81), Jack Herbert (c), Lewis Flower, Cameron Brooks (Gary Williams 68), Jordan Haverson, Mikey Tacon (Dylan Blades 68), Liam Harvey-Cooper, Kyle Baker
Booked: Flower 15
| Stat Attack | ||
| Gorleston | Kirkley & Pakefield | |
| 4 | Goals | 0 |
| 2 | Other efforts on target | 5 |
| 3 | Other efforts off target | 8 |
| 0 | Other efforts against woodwork | 0 |
| 2 | Shots blocked | 2 |
| 7 | Corners for | 4 |
| 3 | Caught offside | 1 |
| 10 | Free kicks for | 13 |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red cards | 0 |
Key moments
Videos and photos
Highlights
As it happened
- Kirkley & Pakefield
- Gorleston
- 0
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Connor Deeks Yellow Card 9:00'
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Joel Watts Goal 16:00'
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Mitch McKay Goal 38:00'
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Connor Ingram Missed Penalty 56:00'
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Mitch McKay Goal 56:00'
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Ismael Fatadjo Sub Off 68:00'
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Jay Turner Sub On 68:00'
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Ismael Fatadjo Goal 68:00'
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Elliott Hannant Sub Off 73:00'
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Jordan Stanton Sub On 73:00'
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Mitch McKay Sub Off 85:00'
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Max Woolsey Sub On 85:00'
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Standings
| # | Team | Pl | Pts |
| 1. | Coggeshall Town | 46 | 115 |
| 2. | Felixstowe & Walton United | 46 | 109 |
| 3. | Stowmarket Town | 46 | 103 |
| 4. | Godmanchester Rovers | 45 | 95 |
| 5. | Brantham Athletic | 46 | 87 |
| 6. | Histon | 46 | 83 |
| 7. | Gorleston | 46 | 74 |
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