5th November 2004 - Home 12.30pm KO vs. Gorleston Rangers C.

Result - Won 2-1

Mutford produced their finest form to overcome an excellent Rangers team at The Dell on Sunday. In a thrilling encounter that ebbed and flowed throughout, either side could rightly have felt disappointed to go home empty handed.

At the kick off Mutford started slightly the brighter and won many of the early challenges, but it was Rangers who came closest early on when a difficult bounce confused Jervey in the Mutford goal. The rebound landed into the path of the Rangers no. 7, who's follow up effort hit the same post, in the ensuing scramble, a combination of brave goal keeping, desperate defending and a hint of luck ensured the scores stayed level.

Just after the halfway mark in the first half, Mutford were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Rangers area. The Captain, Clabby, stepped up and drilled in his tenth goal of an impressive season from centre midfield. Rangers then upped the tempo of their game and showed why they have remained undefeated so far this season. Constantly probing and looking for goal scoring opportunities, only the defending of Smiffy, Jack, Jordan W, and the excellent (again) Phil, kept Mutford ahead at the break.

Half time Mutford 1 Gorleston Rangers C 0

The second half got underway with Rangers forcing the pace and looking for that equaliser, but Mutford had set their stall out, with Clabby, Johnny and Jason sitting in front of the back four breaking up as much of the Rangers attack as possible. The front line for Mutford of Josh, Mickey and Wheels, returning from injury, played on the break and their combined pace at times worrying the Rangers defence. A slick move released Josh and his bright left foot flick beat the keeper and looked a goal, only for the ball to agonisingly strike the upright. As Rangers pushed harder Mutford's resolve increased. Something had to give. Eventually Clabby picked up a loose ball, evaded a challenge and produced a slide rule pass for Mickey, who produced a strike of the highest quality from outside the area, to double the home sides lead. This should have sealed the match, but again Rangers pushed on, urged forward by some excellent support, reduced the lead with a sweeping move and cross from the right which was neatly finished into the top corner.

The remaining seven minutes felt like an eternity for the home team but eventually the final whistle went for a well earned three points. Manager Paul Rose was delighted afterwards saying, "They are a quality side, as I said before, Rangers C and Aztec look the best equipped sides to make the step up into the top division. Both teams played their hearts out today and this was a superb game of football. I cannot praise the back four highly enough. They were all superb. Jervey stepping into goal was outstanding. The midfield three did exactly what we wanted, they were gritty and determined. The lads up front looked lively when they were given the opportunity. I think we have a formation that suits the players well. Rangers were excellent, when we went in front they raised their game, when we went two up, they tried even harder. They are a credit to their club".

Man of the match - Mutford Keeper Jervey (also special praise to Phil).

Posted 6^th December 2004