21st November 2004 - Away 12.30pm KO vs. Bungay A

Result - Lost 2-1

Mutford lost this game 2-1 but were the better side for long periods in the game. With 3 late call-offs Mutford were forced to field only 10 boys. It did look like this was going to be an up-hill battle when Bungay shocked the inform Mutford with an early goal. The Mutford midfield failed to clear a Bungay attack, the ball was whipped across the face of the goal line and coolly slotted home by a Bungay striker.

This goal seemed to bring Mutford to life and from then on the half was all one way. With Harrison in goal and the defence of Smiffy, Phil, Jervey and Jack were solid, and the midfield of Johnny, Jason and Sam started to get a hold on the game and supply Josh and Mikey with quality balls.

It only seemed a matter of time before Mutford would unlock the Bungay defence. Josh and Mikey were getting closer all the time. One effort from Mikey almost cost the Mutford Assistant Manager his House (had there been a bookies nearby), he went through and blasted wide. Sam also had a good effort whistle just over the bar. The closest chance was probably a Jason header from a wonderful corner from Sam on the left. Johnny made trade-mark runs down the right wing and put several dangerous crosses over. But the goal never came and the teams came off at half-time with a score line of 1-0 to Bungay.

Half Time 1-0

The second half got underway and like the first half Bungay seemed to start the brighter. But again Mutford then got into the game and pushed forward. Mikey and Josh were making excellent runs into the Bungay half and with a number of quality through balls for them to run on to, it looked like Mutford were always going to get back into the game.

As Mutford piled on the pressure, Mikey and Josh both strayed marginally off-side on a number of occasions to frustrate the Mutford faithful. Just when It looked like Mutford would unlock the Bungay defence a slick counterattack by Bungay put them 2-0 up.

Despite the 2 goal deficit Mutford still continued to play with enthusiasm and pushed Bungay back. Mikey and Josh again fell foul of the off-side rule with some marginal decisions going against them.

The Mutford breakthrough came when a trade-mark Sam in-swinging corner from the left, Jack rose  and almost got a touch but his jump and presence was enough to put the Bungay keeper off and he was not able to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

Mutford continued to push, but the final whistle came too early for Mutford to level things.

Afterwards the Mutford Assistant Manager Mark said "We played some lovely football at times, and I was very pleased with the way we played, especially with only 10 men. On another day with a little luck the score line could have been so different, but Bungay took their chances and that's football".

He went on to say "I was very pleased with all the lads. I thought Josh improved as the game went on and showed signs of the quality that we know he has. The defence were good. Brad made some great tackles and his distribution was excellent. Phil and Jervey Played their normal solid game, Phil doing a marvellous sweeping role and Jervey is reading the game better all the time. Jack is getting better with every game and played well today, out of position. Sam was clinical (as ever) and played some lovely through balls, as did Jason who put in some crunching tackles. Harrison didn't really have too much to do, which, shows how well the defence played. Josh and Mikey are probably the most dangerous strikers in the division and on another day could have had 3 goals each. After the game, the boys were very understandably disappointed with the result, but I told them, the result was not important, It was the way we played that we must be pleased with and if we played like that every week, we would have a good season".

Man of the Match: Sam.

Posted 21^st November 2004