Senior Cup Run Ended

Mulbarton traveled to Harleston for the 3rd time this season in the Norfolk Senior Cup, in what promised to be a very competitive game.

Harleston kicked the game off and it was clear from the early minutes their style had changed slightly from the previous game. The early exchanges were even and at a very high tempo with both sides really up for the game. 11 minutes in Harleston took the lead when over hit through ball wasn't collected giving Russell the opportunity to pounce on the ball and square to Delaney to put away for 7 yards despite the efforts of Palmer on the line.

This didn't settle Harleston as Mulbarton immediately put them to the sword by raising their game further with lots of effort and desire. This resulted in Durrant pinching the ball just inside the home sides half, giving it to Thompson who released Smith through on goal. With the ball bouncing Smith lifted the ball over the on rushing keeper but too far and it cleared the cross bar, chance squandered.

This didn't deter Mulbarton who continued to play and exploit the areas they thought Harleston were vulnerable. Minutes later Mulbarton had another great opportunity to get on level terms. Again picking a Harleston midfielder pocket it as Simpson who was released through 1 v 1 after a perfectly timed run. When confronted by the keeper his shirt didn't have enough on it to beat the home sides stopper.

The remained of the half as very scrappy and Stop start with the officials taking centre stage with some decisions that confused players and both benches alike, these decisions continued right up until injury time if the first half, when playing over the allotted time Harleston broke from the right of their own area and played a ball down the line, Mulbarton failed to cut out and clear this when they had the opportunity resulting in the HTFC forward getting in behind the defence to pull back to his team mate who's slightly mis-hit finish wrong footed Wright and crept in at the near post.

Mulbarton began the 2nd half with a point to prove and continued to cause problems for the home side with their work ethic and style of play. The final pass or shot just wasn't quite clicking but Mulbarton were threatening whilst keeping the home side quiet at the other end.

Wanderers got some reward for their persistence when Dale Simpson was bundled over in the area giving Mulbarton a penalty and a real opportunity back into the game. The impressive Palmer stepped up to take his 3rd penalty of the season however the home keeper had different ideas and saved well to his right.

Mulbarton continued to press and create half chances which they couldn't take. As they pressed and changed shape bringing on Cooper for Smith and Altay for Brookes, some gaps naturally appeared at the back. The home side who were playing counter attacking football at this point had 2 opportunities throw Howell who twisted and turned after a run eventually squaring to Downes who had his shot cleared off the line by Self but was offside in the process. Howell also had an opportunity again in a similar position but Wright came out and saved well.

The home side saw out the game that was very evenly matched and competitive but disrupted by the officials on the day.

Good luck to Harleston in the next round.