12th September 2004 - Away 12.00pm KO vs. St Benets Wasps

Result - Won 4-2

Mutford triumphed against a hard working St Benets side that for a short time threatened to spoil Mutford's opening day. It all started so well for the visitors when Jordan P scored a typically cheeky goal in the first five minutes, getting on the end of Sam's long throw and delicately lobbing the 'keeper from close range.

Mutford continued to attack and forced some early corners. Josh had a shout for a penalty when caught while running thru', but referee Brown wasn't giving anything away. However it was from a Mutford corner that St Benets broke clear and from an excellent centre shot high into the Mutford goal.

From then on St Benets enjoyed their best spell, aided by the slope of the pitch and a very high wind they pushed Mutford back until half time. Some excellent saves from goalkeeper Harrison and some desperate defending from Jason, David, Jack, Joe and Jordan W, which was not always pretty, kept the scores level at half time at 1-1.

The second half got underway and it was St Benets who drew first blood after Mutford failed to clear and a glancing header crept inside Harrison's post. Mutford then began to find some pattern to their play, with the maestro Sam conducting the game from the middle of the field. The equaliser eventually came from the Captain. Phil won the ball in the St Benets area and lobbed the keeper. The question was could Mutford find another goal against a fast fading home side. The decisive goal came after some good work by Wheels down the left and a pinpoint cross to Mikey Horne who steered the ball home. Mutford continued to press and Sam deservedly finished it off with a typical in-swinging corner straight into the net, the sixth time Sam has scored this way during his career.

Manager Paul Rose was delighted, "This was a vital win for the boys to take into the season. I said before the game that the way we handled their no.11 was important. He murdered us in a friendly which we lost 4-2. Phil was brilliant in the way he prevented him from doing anything." There was also praise for the efforts of Johnny who looks to be returning to his best and Bradley S whose hard running and positional sense are vital to the team.

Goal scorer Jordan said afterwards "The goal was something me and Sam talked about, he said get to the edge of the six yard box and I did".

Central defender Jason was full of praise for the training pre season, "we won this because of the training John has brought in, we got stronger and stronger." St Benets manager Terry Bird singled out two players for a mention, "Phil did a real job on our no.11 Adam Sellers, he is important to us but wasn't allowed to do anything. My parents were also impressed the No.10 (Jason) in defence."

Mutford can build on this victory and look forward to an enjoyable season.

Man of the match : Phil.

Posted 13^th September 2004