16th September 2007 - Away 10.30am KO vs. Gunton - League

Result - Gunton 0 Mutford 5

Mutford turned in a five star performance to overcome a spirited Gunton side.

After an excellent showing against Waveney C the week before the Mutford management were expecting their team to fly from the blocks against Gunton. However it was the home team who started brightly, pushing the visitors back, with Lambert looking particularly dangerous upfront. Liam in the Mutford goal and the back four of Joe, Mickey, A.J. and Sambadino kept the home side at bay and allowed Mutford to slowly get into the game.

The opening goal coming against the run of play as a cross from the right was met by Josh, whose skilful left foot volley found the back of the net. Shortly after Mutford were able to welcome back last seasons Player of the Year, Harley, after missing the Waveney game through injury. His introduction allowed the excellent Gibbo the opportunity to play a more attacking role on the right. He immediately made an impact with a series of powerful runs.

The second Mutford goal came from a through ball by Jason to Phil who finished with his usual composure to give Mutford a 2-0 half time lead.

Half Time - Gunton 0 Mutford 2

The second half saw Mutford put Gunton under a period of sustained pressure. The third goal came from the cultured left foot of Smiffy, smacking in a powerful shot from the edge of the box.

Jason made it 4, picking the ball up on the edge of the box, turning and finding the corner of the net with a low drive.

The final goal came soon after, Harley underlining his importance to the Team, picked the ball on the edge of the box and stroked the ball home from just inside the area. This was Mutford's most dominant period of the game and they could have increased the lead had it not been for Reynolds in the Gunton goal pulling off a series of spectacular saves.

Phil had the unluckiest miss of the day with a lob which found the hard ground too much and having cleared the keeper bounced clear over the Gunton cross bar. Danny also came close against his old club, finding space and driving a powerful shot just wide of the goal. The final 10 minutes saw Gunton come back into the game and put Mutford back under pressure. The back four found themselves pinned back and Gunton looking for a goal. Fortunately the rub of the green favoured the visitors and whenever and opening did appear Liam was able to produce that moment of brilliance to ensure a clean sheet.

After the game Mutford Manager Paul Rose said, "This was an excellent result, and the clean sheet particularly pleasing. We looked very lively upfront and the midfield were able to play more football than against Waveney. So many of the boys have done well recently. Gibbo has been superb, Sambadino looks like he has played right back for years and Phil is looking sharper than ever up front. It's great to have Harley back, he is the player who keeps us playing football. AJ's distribution from the back is also a plus this year. We have lots of hard games ahead this season but the start has been very encouraging."

JOHN SMITH sponsored MAN of the MATCH - JOSH.

Posted 19^th September 2007