BARREN START CONTINUES

Now is not the time to hit the panic button after Blues suffered their second league defeat of this fledgling season. With Mark Stimson rebuilding after a number of close season departures and new arrivals, this loss should not be seen as a season defining moment. Patience is the key, it takes time for a new managerial set up to impart their ideas and the players to gel, only games and time will eventually address the situation.

It's the old football cliche, but today really was a game of two halves. The first period was an even affair with both teams creating limited chances, for Blues fans there were glimpses of the work done on the training field. But a Gorleston goal just six minutes after the restart altered proceedings. The visitors energised , looked sharper and hungrier, controlling midfield. In contrast Blues were careless in possession , the ball given away too easily losing their way despite a late rally in the closing minutes.

A bright Blues start to the game saw Charlie Stimson fire over when well placed, they looked sharper than of late with some slick passing early on. Gorleston were playing their part with Luke Johnson looking lively out wide, but coming up against a resilient Jordan Peart who tried to get forward at every opportunity.
It was Peart involved in Blues best move of the game, driving forward he fed David Knight who fired inches wide of the woodwork. Gorleston should have gone in front when Craig Parker unmarked in the area scuffed his effort, another foray then ended with a low drive from Ryan Curtis bringing a smart save from Danny Sambridge.

The half continued in the same vein, play confined to midfield with neither team able to assert a period of sustained control.

HT 0-0

Troy Osei - Bobie came close just after the break testing Jake Jessup from outside the box.

The deadlock was broken in the 51st minute when Stimson was dispossessed on half way, the ball was quickly swept out to the unmarked Johnson in acres of space , who made no mistake slotting past the exposed Sambridge.

An immediate riposte saw Osei - Bobie and Knight denied by Jessup, but it was Gorleston applying increasing pressure who took control, and only a block save from Sambridge prevented them from increasing their advantage.

Blues lack of a cutting edge was becoming increasingly evident, engineering openings they failed to pull the trigger. It needed the front men to hold the ball up to allow the midfield to push forward, but all too often the ball was lost allowing Gorleston to mount further dangerous attacks.
It was no surprise then when they doubled their advantage on 71 minutes, again profiting from carless play, Johnson the provider this time, sending in a low cross, the ball eventually prodded home by Curtis after a goalmouth scramble.

A late Blues rally saw Jessup making a number of smart saves , the best from an Aaron Gordon drive . Other opportunities came and were squandered. Gorleston held on, their goal intact, condemning Blues to another fruitless afternoon.

Sambridge, Adeniji, Peart, R.Clark(Millar 82), L.Clark, Leahy, Gordon, Osei - Bobie, Stimson, Knight, (Onirowi 68), Logan.
Subs not used. Thackway, Peel-Evans,Damrell