13th January 2008 - Away 10:30am KO vs. Bungay - League

Result - Bungay 2 Mutford 6

Mutford returned to winning ways in a game where the strong wind dominated the game.

Bungay started with the wind in their favour and as a result enjoyed a lot of territorial advantage. Mutford could not get their passing going early on and the poor performance against Shrubs the previous week looked as though it maybe repeated.

The opening goal came against the run of play when some clever play by the classy Risby released Smiffy in a one - one with the Bungay keeper, the pacey winger kept his head and put the visitors in front.

The restart again saw Bungay gaining the advantage and the back four of Josh, AJ, Mikey and Risby working hard. Big L in goal looked confident and his distribution often gave Mutford the opportunity to clear their lines.

The second Mutford goal came from Jason picking the ball up on the right, delivering an excellent cross, Smiffy knocking it back across the goal for Phil to smash the ball into the roof of the net on the half volley. At this point it would be fair to say that the run of play was with the home side and the two goal lead flattered the visitors. Bungay pulled one back from one their trade mark near post crosses was met by the centre forward to finish first time.

Half time Bungay 1 Mutford 2

Mutford's half time team talk centred around the need to regain their shape and movement and match Bungay in terms of determination. Mutford took to the field with re-newed vigour only to find themselves pegged back by a stunning strike. Bungay picked the ball up in the centre of the park, and seeing the keeper slightly advanced of his goal struck a fantastic shot, perfectly weighted in direction and pace into the top corner. Mutford regained the lead shortly after, Harley's clever through ball found Gibbo running in and just missing a touch, but doing enough to distract the on rushing keeper, and with the assistance of the wind the ball bounced into an empty net. Mutford's fourth came in a similar fashion. Latching onto a threaded pass Jason had his effort blocked by the keeper, only for the rebound to fall kindly for Phil to calmly slide home his second of the game.

The next two goals were all about Mutford's goal machine Phil. The first racing clear of the defence he hammered home a right foot shot across the goal. Mutford's sixth and Phil's fourth came from a short corner by Phil and Risby, Phil then smacked an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the goal. Mutford may have added a couple more. Phil hit the inside of a post and Danny volleying from a corner looked to have notched until the Keeper made a breath-taking save.

Final score Bungay 2 Mutford 6

Paul Rose said after the game, "I am very pleased with the result. At half time I was concerned we were going down the same route as last week. Maybe I under-estimated the strength of the wind as Bungay found it very hard in the second half to play against it. I thought that we made the most of our possession in the second half and kept the ball well. I must pay tribute to the back four. I was quite harsh with them in training on Thursday. There was no sulking or blaming others. They took the 'feedback' like men and have come out and responded in the best possible way. We played some good football out of defence at times as well as doing the basics and getting to the ball first. Risby was superb throughout, both defensively and offensively, could have been man of the match if were not for Phil's stunning personal performance. He is has now set new a goal scoring record for a season at Mutford, surpassing Mikey's previous best of 22 league goals. An excellent achievement in the A league."  

JOHN SMITH sponsored MAN of the MATCH - Joe.

Posted 4^th January 2008