It was a fixture that many had predicted would be the game of the weekend and both teams ensured it certainly lived up to expectations. Thompson and Self made one change to the squad that faced Mattishall last weekend as Miles Palmer returned to the fold following a spell with Great Yarmouth Town and he replaced top scorer Eliot Altay who was back to his work commitments.

Wanderers started the game in scintillating fashion. A hard press was evident all over the pitch as Wanderers looked to get in the faces of the current league leaders. This endeavour was rewarded after eight minutes when Thompson fed the ball into the onrushing Scott Woodgate who was then bundled down by Harleston's no. 5 as he pulled the trigger. Goodman had no option but to award a penalty and Woody climbed off the deck to place the ball on the spot before confidently dispatching past Pauling for his first Wanderers goal which was thoroughly deserved after his performances since joining from CBS. 0-1

Mulbarton continued to pile the pressure on the hosts from the restart led by the formidable midfield trio of Gibbons, Simpson and Guyton. Our lead was deservedly doubled with fifteen minutes on the clock as Simpson sent a delightful through ball into Thompson on the left flank and our main source of goals in recent weeks showed great vision to deliver an inch perfect ball into Jack Guyton who finished with aplomb from the edge of the box. His fourth for the club. 0-2

The second goal forced a response from Town as they started to venture upfield with more purpose and they were close to halving the deficit from a neatly taken Free-Kick that clipped the top of the bar. We were then awarded a Free-Kick of our own on the half hour mark as Russell was penalised for a foul on Thompson. Self made use of that cultured right-foot once again by floating a teasing ball into the box that was met by the skull of Mark Sutcliffe and proceeded to rocket into the top corner. That's two in two for the skipper and four for the season, his best return according to the information available to me. 0-3

It was nearly four immediately from the restart as Guyton won possession and weaved his way past Delaney before crashing an effort against the bar. Sadly, this proved to be his final piece of action as moments later he was forced off through a nasty looking injury picked up when battling for possession. Hopefully not as bad as it looked and we wish Jack a speedy recovery. The zealous Doggett was sent on in his place.

It looked as if Wanderers would be heading into the break with a commanding lead but there was still some defending to do when Harleston were awarded a corner deep into stoppage time. The resulting delivery was converted by the head of Pearce and Town had a much needed lifeline. 1-3

Half-Time | Harleston Town 1-3 Mulbarton Wanderers

The hosts returned from the changing rooms invigorated by that late goal and began to apply pressure from the off. Four minutes into the second half and they were provided with the perfect opportunity to grab a second when Goodman pointed to the spot for a second time for some pushing in the Mulbarton area. Delaney scored and the game was well and truly back on. 2-3

What followed was then wave after wave of Harleston pressure, similar to our period of play in the first half but Wright and co stood firm and dealt with a string of dead ball situations. Simmo then did superbly to win a 50/50 in our own half and embark on a driving run forward before offloading to Gibbons, he then turned and lofted the ball into the area which was blocked but the in-form Ben Thompson was on hand with the perfect first touch before calmly guiding his effort past Pauling to claim his ninth of the season. 2-4

That goal was the beginning of a bonkers five minutes as the hosts constructed a swift reply when Fuller competed with Wright for the ball in the six yard box and as both hit the deck, the Harleston man scooped the ball high into the net to make it 3-4. Two minutes later and Town were level when the ball was deflected into the path of Cheese, Selfy attempted a last ditch challenge and was unfortunate to see the ball ricochet off the shin of the Harleston forward and squirm through the legs of Wright. 4-4

Palmer and his fresh legs were then sent on in place of Woodgate who like many, had left everything on the pitch. We then had Tom Wright to thank as he made two fine saves to prevent us from going behind at a crucial time. The First was low down to his left with the ball destined for the bottom corner and the second was brilliantly palmed over the bar to stop the shot from distance.

It was then Wanderers turn to threaten once again as Palmer picked up the ball just inside our own half and knocked it past his marker before continuing his run all the way into the box but his effort was well saved by the Harleston stopper. Then came the decisive moment with four minutes remaining. Doggett received the ball down the right and jinked his way into space before sending a glorious cross into Simpson who was desperately unlucky to see his header bounce back off the upright but his disappointment was short lived as Charlie Aulert thundered the rebound past Pauling to send those in yellow and the travelling fans (especially Simmo's Dad) into rapturous celebration. What a way to open his Mulbarton account! 4-5

George then replaced the man of the moment and he helped to see out the remaining minutes before the referee signalled the end of an astonishing game between two strong sides. I promised entertainment in the match preview for this one but even I was surprised by how the game played out and now the top of the Anglian Combination Premier Division looks very intriguing indeed.

Full-Time | Harleston Town 4-5 Mulbarton Wanderers

Man of the Match: Jack Simpson

On a sad note, the time arrived to bid farewell to our wonderful physio Emma Stevenson as she sets off on her travels for nine months. Everyone at the club would like to thank Emma for her hard work and commitment over the past two seasons.