'Freak-kick' knocks wind out of Goddy

Ridgeons First Division --- Godmanchester Rovers 0-1 Gorleston --- GODMANCHESTER Rovers up-and-down season took another dip with an unfortunate defeat at the hands of Gorleston. Karly Hurst s men have struggled to put together a convincing run of resul

Ridgeons First Division ---

Godmanchester Rovers 0-1 Gorleston ---

GODMANCHESTER Rovers' up-and-down season took another dip with an unfortunate defeat at the hands of Gorleston.

Karly Hurst's men have struggled to put together a convincing run of results in the league, but last week's point away to Clacton hinted at the fighting spirit in the squad. The visit of mid-table Gorleston to Bearscroft Lane offered the chance to capitalise, but terrible conditions conspired to hand Rovers their third home defeat in a row.

In driving wind and rain, ground staff toiled before kick-off to make the pitch playable. Hurst must have wondered if their hard work had been worth it when the wind caught a harmless second-half free kick and carried it over keeper Connor Jordan's head for the game's only goal.

"The crew did a good job to get the game played at all, and the surface stood up well, but as we found out for the goal, it was the wind and driving rain which was the killer.

Jon Brierley and Steve Thompson made returns for Rovers, but they were without Rob Farrington through injury and Chris Hyem through illness.

Rovers co-manager Hurst conceded that doubt hangs over Hyem's future after his recent appearances for St Neots Town, where his brother Michael plays. Hurst hopes to resolve the situation when he meets with Hyem this week.

"We want Chris to stay with us, but until we have sat down and discussed the situation with him, we don't know what the score is. We hope he will stay, but we will have to see," he added.

Rovers began Saturday's game with the wind at their backs, and set about making use of the conditions. James Hall had a chance to put Rovers ahead on 20 minutes, but the striker fired wide under pressure. Josh Kamau should have given his team the lead just a few minutes later when he shot high and wide with the keeper stranded.

Gorleston scored the decider midwat through the second half with a big helping hand from the wind, when Rovers keeper Jordan misjudged a floating free kick from 45 yards and could only push the ball over his head and into the net.

With the wind knocked out of their sails, Rovers struggled to make any meaningful forays out of their half, and Gorleston's margin of victory could have been greater.