Defeat for the First Team in the Senior Cup

Wymondham Town arrived at Mulberry Park full of confidence following a strong start to the season. We were also enjoying a good spell of form and this meant the local derby had all the ingredients to be an entertaining cup tie.

It was clear from kick off that this would be no walk in the park for Wanderers as Wymondham looked well drilled and up for the battle. The opening chance of the game fell to John Curtis after an early corner was cleared into his path but his curling effort evaded the bar. Town responded a few minutes later as the in-form Moriaty raced through on goal but Wright did well to narrow the angle and the ball was struck wide of the post.

Wanderers began to push higher up the pitch looking to create the important opening goal but were denied time and time again by Town's resiliant defence led by Captain John Blake. The visitors looked dangerous on the counter and they made one count with 25 minutes on the clock when a lovely delivery was headed in at the back post by an unmarked Moriaty. 0-1

Mulbarton rallied looking for an equaliser before the break but Wymondham were clearly buoyed by the opening goal and continued to make life difficult for the hosts. It was very nearly 2-0 but Danny Self brilliantly cleared off the line to ensure the deficit was not doubled at a crucial time before the break. Adam Bennett was then forced off by an injury and replaced by the returning Eliot Altay.

Half-Time | Mulbarton Wanderers 0-1 Wymondham Town

The teams returned from the changing rooms and we made our second change with Smith replacing George. The pressure was immediately on the away side as we looked to force an equaliser. Smith and Altay were proving to be a nuisance for Town and some good play won a succession of corners. As has often been the case this season, Self's delivery was met by Altay but his header crashed against the bar before Thompson's rebound was bravely blocked.

Then came a spot of controversy as Altay was hauled down just inside the area. Ames blew his whistle but awarded a Free-Kick as he believed the contact was made outside the box. This was once again defended well by Town and they deserve a lot of credit for digging deep and coming out of that 20 minute spell unscathed.

Matters then got worse for Mulbarton from a Wymondham set piece. The ball pinged around in the box and a poor clearance was pounced on by Daniel Mace who coolly took a touch and slotted it past Wright to make it 2-0 and send the away bench into rapturous celebration.

It was then mostly Wanderers pressure as Town looked to defend their lead. Aulert was introduced to the game and Mulbarton chucked everything at the away side. Curtis and Thompson both headed wide before Jamie Smith sent a looping header over Woodcock and into the net in stoppage time to set up a frantic final few minutes.

There was still time for one more penalty claim as Altay was fouled twice as he made his way into the area. Once outside and then inside the box and Ames brought it back for the initial contact much to the disappointment of the Mulbarton faithful behind the goal. Wymondham held on and secured their place in the Quarter-Finals and a tie against one of the big boys.

Full-Time | Mulbarton Wanderers 1-2 Wymondham Town