First Game, First Win

Report By James Pipe...

On a sunny Friday August evening, Mulbarton Wanderers entertained Wroxham Reserves for their first game at step 7 of the football pyramid since forming.

The Wanderers were up against a youthful and exuberant Wroxham side who tried to play football "the right way" and in the opening 10 minutes the young side shaded it, with their neat touches and possession, but they were unable to threaten Mulbarton and mainly played the ball from side to side.

After this early spell from Wroxham, Mulbarton started to get on top, this was built from the outstanding central defensive partnership of Richard Reading and Mark Sutcliffe, Mulbarton were playing an expansive and attacking brand of football which must have delighted the sizeable crowd.

Wanderers were rewarded after 18 minutes when a ball from Ramsbottom found Jamie Butler in space and he crafted a majestic ball for the returning Curtis; who rose like a salmon and delivered an outstanding header into the far corner.

From this moment on Mulbarton dominated, the full backs of bland and Ramsbottom were constant threats and gave much needed width. With Josh Farrow and John Curtis pulling the strings in the central midfield Mulbarton were a joy to behold. On 30 minutes Ramsbottom went close with a brilliant individual effort from 25 yards forcing the keeper to claw away a top corner-bound strike.
Wroxham had a sight of goal and when a headed clearance went wrong the Yachtsman’s young forward line carved a chance which went whistling across the face of goal and out for a goal kick.

A ten minute spell of dominance killed off Wroxham with Dom Dogget making his debut on the wing, starting and finishing an excellent move. On 38 minutes Dogget picked the ball up on the left and beat his marker all ends up before drilling a dangerous cross that found Butler in space, he drilled it across the face of the goal and Dogget tapped it into the gaping net.

Two minutes later the game was all but over. A great through ball by Farrow found Dogget, his beautiful cross was met at the far post by Wanderers new signing Pipe who powered a header home from three yards.

HT 3-0

After the break, Mulbarton were unable to show the same attacking flair as the first half, however they never looked like conceding with Clifford looking confident and assured each time he was called to action and the impressive Reading and Sutcliffe snuffing out any potentially dangerous moves by the visitors.

Wanderers created a few chances without joy. Pipe had efforts blocked, Freemantle was turning his men inside out and in the 60th minute Curtis met a cross on the volley but smashed his effort against the post.

From this point onwards, the victory was assured and Mulbarton held out for a fantastic first victory in the Anglian Combination Premier Division.

FT 3-0

Man of the Match – Richard Reading. Despite missing most of pre-season with an ankle injury Richie was superb throughout, reading the game perfectly and showing great pace, strength and composure in defence.

Mulbarton: Clifford, Ramsbottom, Bland, Sutcliffe, Reading, J Butler (Pattison 80’), Doggett (C Butler 65’), Farrow, Curtis, Freemantle, Pipe (Babb 70’)