Mulbarton left to rue missed chances as high-spirited Beccles clinch first away victory.

Mulberry Park was looking beautiful as we proudly hosted the first Friday Night fixture of the season against promoted Beccles Town who arrived in search of their first away victory of the campaign. There is clearly a craving for more football on a Friday evening as we officially enjoyed our highest attendance this year.

Mulbarton started the brighter of the two sides as we went on the offensive looking for an early goal to dampen the spirits of our opponents but they did well to stand firm and repel a wave of early attacks. It was from one of those opportunities that Beccles won possession and surged upfield as the ball was played to Bishop who threaded a ball through to Shaw to drill home from close range. 0-1

The goal was against the run of play but was confirmation that Beccles were not in town just to make up the numbers. They looked energetic and well organised from the first whistle. Wanderers remained calm and restored their control of the game, enjoying lengthy spells of possession in the opposing half but Town were not backing out of any challenges and competed for every ball which was limiting the amount of clear cut chances falling our way. Beccles then had the ball in the net once again but Gill was correctly flagged offside.

Mulbarton continued to carve out chances as we looked to grab the all important equaliser and the closest we came before the interval was from Brock as he fired a long range effort just over the bar.

Half-Time: Mulbarton Wanderers 0 - 1 Beccles Town

Thompson and Self rallied the troops during the break and Wanderers came flying out of the blocks as the pattern of the game continued at the beginning of the half. It was then from a sloppy Mulbarton corner that Beccles hit us on the break once again and Godbold delivered a crossfield ball into Gill who produced a deft chip over Wright to make it 0-2 with fifty minutes on the clock.

A huge effort was now required to try and salvage something from the game and Self decided to take his place on the touchline as Smith was sent on in his place. Beccles tactics did not change as they continued to stifle everything that came their way before the ball was played out wide to Aulert who delivered a lovely ball in the box that was met by Altay who powered his header against the crossbar. A few minutes later and Cable was the hero as he made the save of the game, Aulert's corner was cleared before Gibbons tried his luck from distance but Cable denied a certain goal with a fine fingertip save.

The Mulbarton pressure continued but it wasn't until three minutes from time that we managed to finally get a goal and it was via a gift from the otherwise impressive Cable who fumbled when trying to claim a corner and saw the ball fall to top goalscorer Eliot Altay who prodded the ball home. 1-2

Full-Time: Mulbarton Wanderers 1 - 2 Beccles Town

We must remain positive as it was another game where we created enough chances to win the game but nothing can be taken away from Beccles who were fantastic and played like a team from the first whistle to the last. We have now played all three of the promoted teams and it is clear they will all be great additions to the Premier Division. It is also clear that teams are seeing us as a big scalp due to our success last season and we must be more clinical in front of goal. The first opportunity to do so will be against Gorleston in the Senior Cup on Saturday and we are hoping for a similar level of support as we go up against one of the big boys.