24th October 2004 - Away10.30am KO vs. Gorleston Rangers B

Result - Won 3-2

Mutford come from 2-0 down to secure a marvellous 3-2 victory against Gorleston Rangers B in an evenly matched encounter.

Mutford started the game with Jack returning after a lengthy absence due to his tree climbing accident. Johnny was sidelined with a pulled ham string, Jordan W out due to family commitments and Joe will be out for a few more weeks with his broken elbow. Wheels retained the keepers jersey after his superb clean sheet against Caister the previous week.

Early in the first half Rangers stunned the visitors with a high shot over Wheels in the Mutford goal. The shot reminiscent of Harrison's strike a week earlier. With both teams playing nice football the home side went further ahead with some swift passing and a good shot to the keepers right.

Mutford then began to step up a gear and play some nice football the back 4 settled with Smiffy on the left, Phil and Dave in the middle and Harrison on the right. In mid-field Jack was playing like he'd never been away and Sam and Jason were getting to grips with the Gorleston midfield. Upfront was Josh, Jord and Mikey.

The Gorleston back 4 were big and strong and were giving nothing away. As Mutford started turning the screw Mikey and Jord came close to getting a goal back. Josh went close twice and one well struck effort agonisingly came back off the crossbar.

Eventually the pressure paid dividends, with a great move down the left following a corner, the ball crossed and Jack was on hand to dispatch his first goal of the season.

Mutford were continuing to build on their goal and went in at the break trailing by the one goal.

Half time 2-1.

The second half got underway with Harrison reclaiming the keeper jersey and Wheels dropping in to right Back.

A number of great through balls saw Josh, Jord and Mikey go close, the keeper making a great save at Jordan's feet as he looked certain to equalize. We didn't have to wait too long before the persistent Mikey took a pass on down the right and smacked in a wonderful right foot drive to the keeper left.

The clock was ticking and it looked like we were heading for a point each, when with 5 minutes remaining that man did it again, Mikey was released by a slide-rule pass from Phil. Mikey raced away from the defender and struck a shot to the keepers right, the Mutford supporters froze for a split second, as the ball hit the inside of the post and across into the opposite side of the goal. The lads were ecstatic, a great comeback.

After the game the Mutford Assistant Manger Mark said "That was a great display of our character. At half time, I thought that we could complete the comeback, we were growing in stature and with the slight slope on the pitch being in our favour for the second half things were looking good".

It was a hard decision, choosing the man of the match, because every lad played their hearts out. But the honour went to Jack, coming back from injury, working so hard for the team and scoring the first goal. Well done Jack.

A special mention should go to the referee, who officiated the match excellently.

Man of the Match and scorer of the first goal: Jack.

Posted 24^th October 2004