The sun was shining as derby day arrived but this proved to be deceptive as both sides were treated to sub zero temperatures and strong winds at the Hilltops in Swardeston.

It was clear from the moment Farrow blew the first whistle that our hosts were fired up for this fixture and they nearly took the lead with the opening move of the game as they struck the frame of Wright's goal. Any fears that this would be a repeat of the same fixture last season when we found ourselves 3-0 down after 20 minutes quickly vanished as Wanderers responded well by taking control of the game despite attacking against the wind.

Both sides were producing some good build up play but finding it difficult to provide a decent final ball and as a result, clear cut chances were few and far between. The first turning point of the game came after 27 minutes when Jack Simpson was bundled down in the middle of the park. With his leg being held down, Simmo tried to release himself but was adjudged to have kicked out in retaliation by Farrow who produced a straight Red Card and we were down to 10 men.

Shortly afterwards Gibbons won possession before playing the ball upfield into Thompson who controlled the ball well before being fouled by Tayler. Daniel Adcock was getting visibly frustrated with decisions he felt were going against his side and was warned for his behaviour by Farrow. Scott Woodgate almost made matters worse for the home side as his well struck Free-Kick floated agonisingly wide of the post.

CEYMS then enjoyed their best period of the game as they tried to make the extra man count and the deadlock was finally broken when a neat move resulted in Lewis Allen being played through on goal and he kept his cool with a precise finish past the onrushing Wright. Wanderers claims for offside were rebuffed and the task became even greater for the 10 men of Mulbarton.

However, we were presented with the perfect opportunity to level the score almost immediately when we were awarded a penalty after Thompson was taken down in the area. Woodgate was eager to make amends for the one he missed at Blofield and confidently placed the ball on the spot. With the wind against him, he went for power but put too much on it and watched in disbelief as the ball blazed just over the bar to let CEYMS off the hook.

Half-Time | Norwich CEYMS 1-0 Mulbarton Wanderers

Adcock's frustration boiled over during the interval and resulted in him being banished from the technical area for the second half.

As the match resumed, Wanderers refused to be drawn out by the home side who were passing it across the back line and it began to resemble a game of cat and mouse as we shuffled across the pitch to plug any gaps and counter at every opportunity led by the encouragement of Matt Coote. The entire team had been superb since the being reduced to 10 men but Jack Guyton and Hayden Gibbons in particular were immense and their tireless effort in central areas almost made it look like it was still 11 v 11.

CEYMS looked like a team unsure whether to stick or twist as we continued to be patient and not chase the equaliser. Further cautions were handed out by Farrow as Mccombe was next to be removed from the technical area and Thompson was shown a yellow at the request of the lino after being flagged offside.

The game then sparked back into life as Guyton won possession and quickly found Thompson who held the ball up well before releasing Charlie Aulert, who was once again at full tilt and left his marker behind before finishing with finesse and racing into the corner where he was mobbed by his jubilant teammates. A deserved equaliser.

Fresh legs were then sent on in the form of Doggett and Palmer and our tails were up as we searched for a winner. Goalscorer Aulert was scythed down on the edge of the area but Self's delivery was defended well.

Thompson then battled with two defenders as he attempted to win a corner on the byline. As the ball went out of play the linesman once again called the ref over and Thompson was shown a second yellow card for allegedly kicking out after the ball was gone and we were down to 9!

Palmer was doing his best to compete for every ball being played forward ensuring that nothing was a lost cause and ready to pounce on any defensive mistakes. CEYMS were also pressing for a winner but Wanderers stood firm and both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils in a game that really did have everything..... apart from a streaker I suppose but nobody fancied it in that weather.

Full-Time | Norwich CEYMS 1-1 Mulbarton Wanderers