Mulbarton overcome spirited Bradenham Wanderers side

Bradenham Wanderers arrived at Mulberry Park brimming with confidence and rightfully so having recorded a perfect start to the season with consecutive victories over Mattishall and Beccles. Mulbarton were equally as confident after following up our Don Frost Cup triumph with a solid 4-1 victory over Reepham Town on Saturday.

Mulbarton made three changes from the weekend as Tom Wright, Jack Simpson and Dom Doggett replaced Duncan McAnally, Hayden Gibbons and Jamie Smith in the starting line up. John Curtis and Joel Potter deputised on the bench along with youngster Max Beckett who was called up from the Reserves.

Fans of both sides were still filtering in as the referee signalled for the game to begin and Mulbarton got us underway. It was clear from the first whistle that Bradenham were not here to make up the numbers as they began the game with a ferocious tempo and a hard press that created a couple of half chances which were dealt with well by the Mulbarton back line. Both teams were cancelling eachother out in the opening exchanges but Bradenham looked the most likely to take the lead during the first 15 minutes with their best chance coming from a free kick which was fired just wide of the post.

Eighteen minutes had passed when Mulbarton carved out our first real chance on goal as Thompson raced through but his shot was well saved by the Bradenham keeper. The following fifteen minutes consisted of an intriguing midfield battle as both sides slugged it out in an attempt to take control of the game. The hosts started to enjoy further spells in attacking areas although Bradenham continued to look menacing on the counter attack but were being let down by the final ball into their potent forward line.

Strong challenges were going in all over the park when our opponents were awarded a free kick in a dangerous area. It was beautifully taken and evaded the reach of Wright but clipped the top of the crossbar and went out of play. Both defences continued to deny the forwards any further chances for the remainder of the half and the two sides went into the break level.

Half Time: Mulbarton Wanderers 0-0 Bradenham Wanderers

Mulbarton were forced to make a change at the beginning of the second half as Joel Potter replaced the injured Danny Bland. The second half sprung into life as the ball was played through to George but a last ditch tackle from the Bradenham Defender prevented what would have been a one on one with the keeper.

Whatever was said by Self and Thompson at half time clearly had an immediate impact as Mulbarton started to take control of the game and in the 49th minute some good work from Thompson won us a corner. Selfy lofted the ball towards the back post which was met by Eliot Altay who saw his header blocked on the line, the ball would not quite fall for Thompson so he played it back to Jack Simpson who struck it first time before Jamie George reacted superbly to divert the ball into the roof of the net and bag his first league goal for Mulbarton. 1-0.

Seven minutes later and Mulbarton almost doubled our lead after some more good running by Thompson saw the ball roll towards the penalty spot but the keeper won the resulting race and gathered from the feet of George. Bradenham then created their best chance of the game as the ball was played into the box from the right hand side but it was just behind the forward who did brilliantly to steer the ball towards goal and was unlucky to watch it go agonizingly wide of the post.

The next opportunity came when a long ball was flicked on by George into the path of Thompson who volleyed towards goal but the keeper made himself big to deny Ben a third goal of the season. Three minutes later and it was that man again who jinked his way into the box before being hauled down by a Bradenham Defender and the referee had no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Jamie George who scored a late injury time penalty against Attleborough in pre season but he saw his effort saved as the keeper guessed the right way and ensured the one goal deficit remained.

Bradenham buoyed by the penalty save continued in search of an equaliser and nearly grabbed it as their forward raced through on goal only to be denied by a fine save from Tom Wright. Shortly afterwards, John Curtis replaced summer signing Jack Simpson who had put in a fine performance on his first league start for the club.

Nine minutes were remaining when Mulbarton were awarded a free kick to the right of goal. The managers combined as Danny Self delivered into the box and Ben Thompson beat his man to volley into the top corner and double our lead. It was no more than Mulbarton deserved after a strong second half showing.

Four minutes later and it was nearly 3-0 as Thompson sent Curtis out wide and he sent a lovely ball into Dom Doggett who was unlucky to see his strike come back off the bottom of the post. Our opponents then made one final push in an attempt to set up a nervy end to the game but Mulbarton stood firm to ensure we kept our first clean sheet of the season.

Full Time: Mulbarton Wanderers 2-0 Bradenham Wanderers

Man of the Match - Joel Potter

In summary, Bradenham provided a stern test and we were made to work hard for the three points. It proved to be a game of two halves and our opponents were the better team in the opening 45 minutes before we raised our game and took our chances in the second half. We saw enough to indicate that Bradenham will do very well in the Premier Division and we can expect an equally tough game when we visit Hale Road later in the season.

Next up for the first team is a short trip to Blofield on Saturday as we look to continue our unbeaten start to the season.