Travel Woes Continue for Greens

Gorleston's end of season slump continued but it was an improved performance on recent weeks.

Ricci Butler made two changes from last weeks trip to Ipswich Wanderers with Isaac Burrage and Joel Watts both dropping to the bench.

Gerson Soares came in to make his third start of the season and there was also a surprise with young Sam Wooldridge brought in for his first ever Gorleston start after just two sub appearances.

On a fantastic looking pitch, the Greens started brightly, with the opening fifteen minutes possibly the best they've played since January, and they forced three corners inside the first three minutes.

Connor Ingram saw a shot blocked, Wooldridge sidefooted into the sidenetting and Wooldridge again almost got in behind but the goalkeeper raced out to nick the ball just outside the box.

The hosts didn't trouble the Greens goal until fifteen minutes when a midfield slip gave Lee Hammond a chance but his shot was well over.

However, three minutes later Hadleigh took the lead.

With the Greens defence stretched, Aaron Bull had space on the left to pick out Tom Driscoll unmarked in the middle of the box and he calmly passed the ball into the bottom corner.

Gorleston kept on the front foot. Connor Ingram left Damon Artiss on his backside as he turned inside and tried to find the top corner but the ball didn't bend before Hadleigh doubled their lead in the 35th minute.

Michael Barwick tried to control a bouncing ball and seemed to get a little lucky as his touch took him past a defender. He then picked out Aaron Bull who tucked the ball away past Taurean Molloy.

Connor Ingram tried to catch the keeper off his line from just inside the Hadleigh half but was never close before Harley Clements headed a Kyle Baker free kick narrowly wide.

Two minutes into first half stoppage time the Greens were handed a lifeline.

Kyle Ingram was fouled by the left touchline. Soares floated the free kick into the box. Baker and James Ross both went for it, the ball bouncing just in front of the them and rearing up in front of keeper Sam Mansfield. Mansfield seemed to clutch it to is chest but the ball slipped up, over his shoulder and dropped into the net.

Its usually a good time to score, just before half time, but it was Hadleigh who began the second half the brighter.

Bull found himself in acres of space on the left but, cutting in onto his right foot, he could only send his shot wide.

Gorleston sent on the lively Joel Watts and there was a welcome return for Peter Oldham as the Greens came more in to it.

The visitors found it difficult to break down their opponents barricades, who were being well martialled by the vocal Garry Burdett, but one time they did get through Kyle Ingram crossed and Mansfield saved bravely at Luke Goreham's feet.

With 70 minutes gone Bull broke down the left from a Gorleston corner. He burst into the box and got ahead of the defender with only Taurean Molloy to beat. Bull appeared to have his heels clipped and went down. However, the referee waved away penalty appeals.

Burrage came on and George Yusuff was pushed up front but it was Hadleigh who came closest to scoring again as Kyle Cassell found himself in the clear centrally but somehow sliced his shot upwards rather than goalwards.

With two minutes remaining Watts went through the middle to latch on to a Kyle Ingram pass. His shot was parried out by the goalkeeper, the ball bouncing high to Yusuff who hooked a volley back towards goal but straight into the keeper's arms.

Gorleston didn't deserve to lose the match but Hadleigh possibly wanted, and needed, it more and that extra determination gave them the edge.

Gorleston: Taurean Molloy, Harley Clements (c), Damon Wise, Gerson Soares (Peter Oldham 64), George Yusuff, Aaron Taylor, Kyle Ingram, Luke Goreham (Isaac Burrage 72), Kyle Baker, Connor Ingram, Sam Wooldridge (Joel Watts 54)

Booking: K Ingram 14

Goal: Own Goal 45+2

Hadleigh Utd: Sam Mansfield, Ben Elliott, James Ross, Michael Barwick, Garry Burdett (c), Damon Artiss, Lee Hammond (Ashley Veitch 65), Tom Driscoll, Kyle Cassell, Brett Crisp (James Gaffer 89), Aaron Bull (Toby Rose 90+3)

Goals: Driscoll 18; Bull 34

Attendance: 104

Ref: David Hutton

	Stat Attack
Gorleston		Hadleigh Utd
1	Goals	2
2	Other efforts on target	0
5	Other efforts off target	5
0	Other efforts against woodwork	0
1	Shots blocked	0
7	Corners for	3
4	Caught offside	2
17	Free kicks for	9
1	Yellow cards	0
0	Red cards	0