Tommo and Selfy celebrate 50th game in charge with a win

The First Team were on the road for a third consecutive weekend and this week the destination was a blustery Thorpe Recreation Ground to take on a St Andrews side buoyed by the return of Steve Thompson as First Team Manager. Spirits were visibly high in the Mulbarton camp during the warm up and there was only one change to the starting line-up that booked our place in the Mummery Cup Quarter-Finals last weekend as John Curtis returned alongside Mark Sutcliffe in the centre of defence.

The game was only a minute old when Wanderers were handed their first opportunity to test the keeper as we were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position. Danny Self, who scored one away at Stalham two weeks ago, lifted his effort up and over the wall but into the keepers hands. A period of one-way traffic followed and chances fell to Doggett and George who both fired wide.

The conditions were clearly having an impact on the game with both sides struggling to create many chances and Mulbarton in particular were guilty of taking too many touches when in possession and Self could be heard demanding better from his players. The hosts were certainly up for the battle and it was clear to see why they have not conceded too many goals this season as they were defending well as a unit. They then looked to create a couple of opportunities of their own with balls over the top but were stopped in their tracks both times by Wright who was quick off his line to prevent the danger.

John Curtis was the next player close to breaking the deadlock but dragged his shot past the post. Then came the best chance of the half as Self did well down the right hand side and found George in the area who beat his marker but could only watch on as his effort went agonisingly over the bar. St Andrews had the final chance before the break with a lovely move that just lacked a finishing touch and the two sides went in level.

Half-Time | St Andrews 0 - 0 Mulbarton Wanderers

The second half started in similar fashion to the first as Wanderers carved out an early opportunity to take the lead. Self exchanged passes with George and continued with a surging run into the penalty area but he was unable to lift the ball over the keeper who spread himself well to ensure the score remained level.

Ten minutes later and the St Andrews stopper was called into action once again as Simpson crossed the ball into George and he powered a header goalwards only to be denied by a fine save.

It was clear to see that Mulbarton had stepped up a few gears and we were rewarded for our effort on 60 minutes when Dom Doggett delivered a beautiful ball into the box that was once again met by the head of Jamie George but this time the keeper was unable to prevent the net from bulging and Jam claimed his fifth goal of the season. 0-1

Wanderers knew they could not take their foot off the gas and continued in search of a second goal. John Curtis came close from a deep corner and Jack Simpson ballooned one over the bar, it was a 'shot' worthy of earning him the poo hat after the game.

Sutcliffe and Curtis were both winning the majority of their aerial duals from each goal kick but St Andrews then offered a reminder of just how slender our lead was with a well worked move that was volleyed just wide at the back post.

Mulbarton continued to cause problems for the St Andrews back line in the closing stages with George, Watts and Aulert still full of running and it was the latter who had our final chance of the game but dragged his shot wide against his former club.

There was still time for one final chance for the hosts deep into stoppage time from a corner. The initial effort was blocked into the path of Whiting who attempted to poke the ball home but Tom Wright was quick to react and flung himself in front of the ball, player and post to bravely scramble the ball out of play and ensure we returned to Mulbarton with three important points.

Full-Time | St Andrews 0 - 1 Mulbarton Wanderers

Man of the Match - Tom Wright