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Full steam ahead as Great Yarmouth Town aim to pile more misery on local rivals Gorleston

Chris Lakey

Published: 4:11 PM April 16, 2017 Updated: 2:57 PM October 10, 2020

Thurlow Nunn Premier Division action between Kirkley & Pakefield (blue) and Saffron Walden. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

Local bragging rights will be up for grabs on the east coast on Monday as Great Yarmouth Town head to rivals Gorleston with more than a strong gust of wind in their sails.

Action from the clash between Kirkley & Pakefield (blue) and Saffron Walden. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

The Bloaters are ending their first season back in the top flight in some style – while the Greens' campaign is grinding to a halt well before the final ball is kicked.

Yarmouth's 1-0 home win over Stanway Rovers moved them to within nine points of Gorleston, with just three games left – adding even more spice to Monday's derby clash, which kicks off at 3pm.

Elvis Putnins was the hero for the Bloaters, with a superb penalty save from winger Jordan Blackwell before a goal by Chris Holmes sealed the win with 17 minutes remaining.

A Kirkley player in possession against Saffron Walden. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

Joint manager Martin Sinclair said: 'We have nicked the points today against a very good side, but this now cements our place in seventh and gives us an opportunity to finish even higher.

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'Our pre-season predictions didn't really have too much ambition other than staying in the division, so to finish in the top seven is great for everyone at the club.

'Elvi (Putnins) has kept us in it today, but we have come away with nothing from several games this season after playing well and that's the way it is sometimes – winning ugly is also important. We still have several players missing which makes this win even more pleasing.'

A battle for possession during the clash between Kirkley and Pakefield (blue) and Saffron Walden. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

Gorleston went down 2-1 at Hadleigh – an improved performance, but still the Greens' fifth league defeat in a row.

Hadleigh went ahead on 18 minutes and added another on 35, with Gorleston pulling one back in first-half stoppage time when the keeper failed to deal with a Gerson Soares free-kick.

Mildenhall need just a point at local rivals Thetford on Monday to secure the title – they beat FC Clacton 1-0 on Saturday while Danny White's Thetford drew 1-1 at Brantham Athletic. Robbie Priddle opened the scoring for Thetford, keeper Kinglsey Barnes saved a penalty early in the second half but the hosts levelled shortly afterwards. Thetford had Bruno Tavares sent off seven minutes from time. Kirkley & Pakefield were 2-0 home winners over Saffron Walden, while Fakenham beat visiting Long Melford 2-0, with goals from Sam Garner and Shane Akers.