11th September 2005 - Home 2pm KO vs. Gorleston Rangers B

Result - Won 4-2

Mutford kicked off the new season with a 4-2 win over Gorleston Rangers B, with new signing AJ grabbing a hatrick on his first League appearance for Mutford.

Mutford dominated the first 25 minutes of the half and lead 3-0 before Gorleston grabbed a lifeline before half time. Gorleston added more pressure with a second goal before Mutford clinched the 3 points with a forth goal late on.

This was the first game in the new kit for Mutford and they really started well playing a 3 4 3 formation. Harrison in goal, Joe, Jervy & Phil at the back, Smiffy & Josh wide midfield with Jason and Clabby in the centre, Mikey & AJ up front with Jordan just behind the 2 strikers, Jack on the Bench.

The first chance of the game came after Joe won the ball at the back and worked it through for Mikey who hit his shot into the side netting. The Josh burst through down the right wing and crossed to Jordan who fired wide.

The breakthrough came when AJ picked the ball up on the edge of the ‘D’. He weighed up the options before chipping the ball over the Gorleston keeper into the net.

At the other end Gorleston broke through but were foiled by a tackle from Josh who was working well up and down the right flank.

Jason was next to threaten the Gorleston goal with a skilful turn on the left wing but fired into the side netting.

Mutford’s second goal came from a classic Mikey finish, after reading a ball over the top he out-paced the Gorleston defender to chip over the keepers’ head.

Mutford’s third followed shortly after when an inch perfect Clabby through ball sent AJ in on goal, he almost fell after being clipped by a Gorleston defender but did well to stay on his feet and stab the ball past the advancing keeper.

At the other end Jervy did exceptionally well headering clear a cross after good work down the right wing from Gorleston. But a few minutes later Gorleston snatched their first with a brilliant shot from outside the box.

Mutford reshuffled with Jack playing in a more advanced role than normal coming on for Jordan and he almost scored with the Gorleston Keeper doing well to block. The rebound fell to Clabby who hit a thunderous the struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced on the line.

Gorleston got themselves right back in the game with another long shot that left Harrison with no chance and making the score 3-2

Half Time 3-2.

Gorleston were now more into the game and Mutford were not playing their passing football anymore. Smiffy came off at half time with Jordan returning to his attacking role, Jack moved to the right of midfield and Josh moved to the left. Good work from AJ lead to Phil hitting a long shot that was well saved by the Gorleston Keeper, who despite being beaten 3 times was having a very good game.

Josh and Mikey worked well to earn a corner from which Jordan came close to scoring. Then Jack and Mikey combined to earn a corner from which Phil almost got his head onto.

AJ came close to his hat trick but more good work from the Keeper kept him at bay. At the other end Gorleston almost equalized with a long range shot that Harrison did well to stop.

Jason had a long range shot saved and shortly after AJ found himself in space on the edge of the box after being played in by Smiffy, he turned and fired home for his well deserved hatrick and put Mutford 4-2 in front.

Gorleston though they had thrown themselves a lifeline when a good free-kick flew into the top corner, but there was a player standing right in front of Harrison in and offside position and clearly impeding Harrison’s view of the ball.

Clabby had a shot well saved, but the save of the game came when AJ picked up the ball on the right hand side of the box, he struck a short destined for the top left hand corner of the net but the Gorleston Keeper acrobatically saved when it looked a certain goal.

The game ended 4-2 and afterwards Paul, the Mutford Manger said “I would have taken 4-2 at the start of the game, because Gorleston Rangers B are a good team and have beaten us at home for the last 2 seasons. I was a bit disappointed that after the initial 25miuntes, when we played some great football and go 3-0 up, we seemed to switch off and never got going after that”

Man of the match went to AJ with a good performance and 3 excellent goals. Jack, Jervy and Joe were also singled out for praise.

Man of the Match. Hatrick Hero AJ.

Posted 11^th September 2005