Mulberry Park was somehow looking glorious as the teams arrived ahead of yesterday's game. Top work as always from TH Groundcare and let's hope the weather from now on makes your job a lot easier.

Wanderers started the game well but as we knew from the reverse fixture a few weeks ago, the young yachtsmen were certainly up for the battle. But they were unable to prevent us from taking an early lead through a man who missed that game through injury as Aulert's corner fell to Scott Woodgate to claim his fifth of the season with a simple tap in after 6 minutes. 1-0

This sparked a response from Wroxham as they began to ping the ball around and tried to get the likes of Nyadzayo and Watts involved in the game but they were lacking the final pass with Brock and Bland in particular defending well to nulify their attacking threat. However, we were also starting to get sloppy ourselves in possesion and both Thompson and Sutcliffe were demanding more from the team all over the pitch.

The majority of play was then taking place in the middle of the pitch until 5 minutes before the break when Jack Guyton's effort was denied by a strong hand from Kingsley Barnes who went down screaming in pain. A lenghty stoppage followed as he received treatment and was unfortunately unable to continue. Everyone at the club would like to wish him a speedy recovery and credit must also go to Harrison Gilding-Hewitt for taking over between the sticks. The make-shift keeper survived a scare when he tussled with Thompson and the ball bounced to Woodgate who fired over when put under pressure just before the half-time whistle.

Half-Time | Mulbarton Wanderers 1-0 Wroxham Reserves

Wroxham looked rejuvinated at the restart and began the half showing plenty of attacking intent. They were then dealt a sucker punch as Wanderers won possession and John Curtis spotted the run of Charlie Aulert and played a beautifully weighted pass into his path. Chaz did splendidly to control the ball while at top speed and as the ball bounced up and with Rogers breathing down his neck, he guided an audacious effort over the top of Gilding-Hewitt who was then unable to reach the ball in time and could only watch as it bounced into the roof of the net for his third of the season. 2-0

Wanderers then continued to apply pressure as we looked to put the game to bed and an opportunity arrived when a free-kick was deflected into the path of Curtis and Gilding-Hewitt was penalised for the shove that sent him to ground. With Self in the dugout, the responsibility was handed to Thompson who confidently dispatched the penalty to equal his tally of 14 goals from last season. 3-0.

Matters quickly got worse for our opponents when we were awarded another penalty shortly afterwards as Edwards fouled Thompson near the edge of the area. Thommo once again sent Gilding-Hewitt the wrong way to extend our lead. 4-0

Smith and Potter then replaced Thompson and Aulert as Wroxham began to steady the ship when they settled at the back and began to get forward again but were still unable to spring Wright into action. Liam Hannant was then handed his first team debut when he replaced Scott Woodgate. The young lad almost provided an immediate assist as he crossed into Jamie Smith who turned into Didier Drogba when he controlled, swivelled and sent a thumping strike against the crossbar that would have been a contender for goal of the season had it gone in.

Wroxham then failed to hit the target with a couple of long range efforts before Tom Wright was quick off his line to clear the danger from Watts when the former Wanderer was played through on goal. The final chance of the game came from Smith when he hit the woodwork for a second time as he watched with his head in his hands when his low drive come back off the post.

Full-Time | Mulbarton Wanderers 4-0 Wroxham Reserves