Wanderers arrived in Beccles in high spirits following our sixth consecutive victory away at Acle on Tuesday and we got to see College Meadow in all it’s glory as the 80+ crowd were once again treated to box to box sunshine. Our search for a seventh consecutive clean sheet was under threat in the opening minute of the game but an acrobatic save from John Curtis ensured the run continued as he tipped the ball onto the bar and the danger was cleared.

Mulbarton responded well and our movement was causing problems for Town, especially from set pieces. First, Sutcliffe leapt highest but was unable to keep his header on target before Aulert switched things up and pinged a low drive into Chris Gibbons whose first time effort was deflected past Cable and into the net. Gibbo was mobbed by his teammates who were delighted for the man they call Chef as that was his first for the club and what an important time to get it. 0-1

Thompson and Woodgate then both had good opportunities to double our lead, Thommo produced a good save from the keeper before Woody managed to poke the ball past him but his goalbound effort was cleared by the covering defender. We were then awarded a penalty when Thompson was fouled in the box, Ben picked himself up and placed the ball on the spot before having to wait for Saunders to finish his discussion with an opposing player. Thommo managed to keep his nerve and sent Cable the wrong way to extend our lead. 0-2

Town were not given time to respond as a few minutes later, Woodgate beat his marker to flick the ball onto Thompson who thumped it in to give us a commanding lead and claim his 20th of the season in the process. 0-3

Goalscorer then almost turned provider when Thompson crossed from the right and Brock headed goalwards but could only watch as it went just wide of the post. Woodgate then won a free-kick on the left but was booked for responding to somebody in the crowd who was giving him unnecessary stick. Probably still upset that his goal against Acle went down as an OG. #justiceforwoody

Half-Time | Beccles Town 0-3 Mulbarton Wanderers

Potter replaced Thompson as play resumed and the hosts began to enjoy larger periods of play in the Wanderers half. They huffed and puffed but were being stifled by a Mulbarton side determined to earn yet another clean sheet. Everyone was defending resolutely and Curtis was on hand to mop up anything that managed to reach him. Edd and Gibbo were barking at their team as they felt standards were slipping and Beccles were firmly on top of proceedings and the likes of Bailey and Hurren were becoming increasingly involved.

Curtis was called into action once more before Hurren headed wide from a corner. Guyton was then introduced in place of Aulert and his first task was to float in a corner that was headed wide by Woodgate under pressure. Simpson then joined Woody in the referee’s book as he went in for a 50/50 challenge but was slightly late. The resulting free-kick was sent into the mixer and headed towards goal but Curtis was equal to it once again as he tipped over.

Self then replaced Woodgate with 5 minutes remaining and I can now officially say I was there when Danny Self played as a striker! Has this happened before? Surely a first but it certainly set up an exciting ending to the game and with two minutes remaining, Jack Guyton stole possession and danced his way into the area before lifting the ball over Cable for his 9th in a blue and black shirt. 0-4

There was still time for Selfy to make his mark as he drove into the box and was sent tumbling to ground but claims for a penalty were rebuffed by Saunders and he signalled the end of the game shortly afterwards.

Full-Time | Beccles Town 0-4 Mulbarton Wanderers

Another solid win and clean sheet as we aim to maintain the pressure on league leaders Harleston. The only sour point for Wanderers was the news that Thompson pulled his hamstring and is likely to miss the rest of the season. Get well soon Thommo!