18th November 2007 - Home 12.15am KO vs. Bohemians - League

Result - Mutford 2 Bohemians 2

Honours even at the end of a fantastic top of the table clash at the Mutford village hall ground. The Cup encounter the previous week gave little indication that Mutford would be able to salvage anything from a game against a side who totally outplayed their opponents the week before. However, football is a funny old game and the home side through a combination of character and determination, and Bohemians not quite hitting the highs of the Cup encounter, did enough to earn a draw.

The game started as the previous week with Bo's passing cutting open the home defence and forcing a corner. Mutford defending deeper than the previous week were able to deal and what turned out to be a barnstorming game really began. The opening goal went to Mutford. Jason picking the ball up on the edge of the box, slipped it inside to Phil who unleashed an unstoppable shot to make it 1-0. The game continued at fast pace. Bo's crossing particularly dangerous and as always set pieces causing consternation for defenders.

The equaliser came ten minutes before the break. Some excellent passing got the Bo's striker behind the Mutford defence and a cool finish across the keeper levelled the scores.

Half time - Mutford 1 Bohemians 1

The second half was quite simply a superb advert for youth football. Bo's did undoubtedly have the best of the play and Mutford were fortunate to have Mickey in top form at centre half and Big L producing some excellent saves. Mutford took the lead again when Gibbo's perfectly flighted free kick found the superb Harley who sent a great header across the goal into the far corner. Bo's responded with resumed effort and some imaginative football and determined attacking play. Mutford rear guard held firm and the midfield, assisted by Jason dropping in, also battled for every ball. Brad again defied medical science to produce a spirited display through various coughing attacks.

Despite Bo's dominance, at 2-1 to Mutford there was a ten minute period were Mutford did have the chances to score again. Firstly from a corner Jack's volley was cleared from the line, from the resulting corner a second Mutford effort was this time cleared by a superb diving header and a third chance went begging when the Bo's keeper pulled off an acrobatic diving save to his left. Brad almost increased the lead when a rare mix up in the Bo's defence left him with the chance to lob into the net with the keeper stranded and two defenders to beat, unfortunately his good effort was well blocked.

Through all of this though, the visitors kept playing some excellent football that was causing the home defence to creak. With just under ten remaining Bohemians sent in a corner that was met perfectly on the volley and the ball crashed into the roof of the net, for the the equaliser. The remainder of the game was played out in excellent spirit and the final whistle released the Managers from their nerve ridden agony and there were handshakes all round.

After the game Paul Rose said "A fantastic game. I am so pleased for the boys to get a point against the Champions. They absolutely mullered us the week before, their football was a different class. That probably helped us in terms of motivation and it was always going to be hard for them to get themselves up having won so convincingly the previous week. The football they produce and the angles they come at you from is head and shoulders above anything we have faced in the league this year. For my boys, I cannot praise their efforts enough. After the game all I said to the boys was, How does that feel ? Their faces said it all, knackered but very satisfied. It's what football is all about."

JOHN SMITH sponsored MAN of the MATCH - Liam.

Posted 28^th November 2007