28th October 2007 - Home 11am KO vs. Bungay A - League

Result - Mutford 4 Bungay A 3

Mutford eventually out scored the lively visitors of Bungay at a rain soaked Village Hall ground. The build up to the game for the home side was dominated by injury and illness, and up to Saturday evening Mutford had only 11 players available, of which two were unwell. Finally Gibbo made a late recovery and at least offered the chance of respite for the sick and injured. Eventually Mutford lined up with Liam in goal, back four of Joe, Mickey, A.J. and Sam. Midfield Josh, Brad, Harley and Jack, with the usual suspects of Phil and Jason up front and Gibbo, still recovering, on the bench.

The game started well for the home side when Jason dispossessed a defender before bulldozing his way through challenges and finally the 'keeper to poke the ball into an empty net. Shortly after Jason again, receiving the ball swept it out wide to Jack on the right, whose shot was parried into the roof of the net by the 'keeper. All this within the first ten minutes.

Bungay steadied themselves and the remainder of the half was about a lot of midfield play and little by way chances and the open play remained even, although Jason and Phil both had half chances they were unable to convert. Just as half time approached Bungay launched a break, Jason tracking back made an over zealous challenge and a penalty was awarded and duly dispatched.

Half time Mutford 2 Bungay 1

It is an old football saying that to concede on the stroke of half time is bad timing, and sure enough that goal gave Bungay the kick start they needed. With Harley off the field injured and the sick notes of Brad and Gibbo trying to stem the blue tide of attack the second half started with Bungay dominating. Mutford could not live with the pace of the visitors and wave after wave of attack fell onto the Mutford back four and keeper. Eventually Bungay got the equaliser their play deserved. Indecision from a perfectly delivered corner ended with the ball being poked home from close range. From the restart Bungay again pushed on and the home side were reduced to long balls for Phil to chase. Inevitably, Bungay's third followed. A deflected shot fell to the striker who finished with a powerful strike across goal to put visitors up 3-2.

With only about ten minutes remaining it looked a though the visitors would take the points. Then came a moment of luck for the home side. Phil lashed a bouncing ball goalwards from near to the centre circle . The ball achieved an incredible height and forced the Bungay keeper to back pedal. Eventually the keper pushed the ball out from the goal, tumbling into the net as he did so, the rebound falling kindly for the on rushing Brad to knock in. The referee however, deemed the original shot to have crossed the line and awarded the goal for Phil's long range effort.

The game kicked off again with both sides feeling they could on to win. With only a couple of minutes to go Jason picked up a ball in an advanced midfield position and played in Phil who finished with a right foot shot across the goal to give the home side the lead for final time.

Final score Mutford 4 Bungay 3

After the game Mutford Manager Paul Rose said " I would have taken a point at 2-2. They were all over us, we just couldn't get out of our half. Our third goal caused quite a bit of debate and I would obviously prefer a cleaner goal as Bungay clearly felt the ball had not crossed the line until Brad stuck in the rebound. I am extremely pleased with the way the season has gone so far. Far beyond what we thought at the start. We have some cracking games to look forward to, away at Stowmarket in the Minor Cup and then back to back games against Bohemians, who have shown over the last year or so they are the strongest team. Three losses would not necessarily mean disaster. To be competing at this level is success for us and we are enjoying it." 

JOHN SMITH sponsored MAN of the MATCH - Mikey.

Posted 4^th November 2007