Wanderers Start the New Year with a Bang

The First Team welcomed high-flying Wroxham Reserves, managed by former Mulbarton players Kaine Challen and Damien Didwell, to Mulberry Park for the first home game of 2017.

Mulbarton started the game at a ferocious tempo knowing the young Wroxham side would be looking to play. This start was rewarded on 7 minutes when Thompson was released inside the left hand side of the area, after initially losing his feet he regained his balance to find Altay in the area who's control let him down but nicely set up the on-rushing Self to smash home from 10yds.

This gave the home side further belief and on 11 minutes Self and Payne Wilkins combined well down the right to find Thompson who cut in from the corner of the area to drive a left footed shot into the top corner from 18yds. Rewards for a great start.

Wroxham worked themselves into the game with some good play and raised work rate and showed why they are at the top end of the table but couldn't break down the home side's defence who played very well all day.

The game ebbed and flowed up until half time with Mulbarton always in control.

Wanderers started the 2nd half as they left off the first with good game management, hard work and discipline. They were again rewarded for this when Smith was sent clear on a break away from a Wroxham attack. He held off the defender, rounded the keeper and slotted home.

Credit to the Yachtsmen, they continued to play work and press as they always do but it seemed this wasn't going to be their day. This was evident when Smith picked the pocket of the Wroxham centre back as they tried to play out from the back. Smith drove in on goal at pace and calmly slotted home for his 2nd and Mulbartons 4th.

The game continued in a similar vain with both sides playing football in tough conditions. Mulbarton had understandably relaxed at this point and were giving up possession and ground to wroxham with ever being under any real pressure.

Mulbarton made it a 5 goal and star performance when Altay met Self's corner to dispatch a powerful header into the far corner.

A great start to the new year for Mulbarton Wanderers First team.

Supporters MOTM = Chris Gibbons