It is not often that Wanderers have been treated to sunshine on away days this season but we certainly were on Tuesday and the surface was looking sensational as the two teams took to the field.

Mulbarton were quick out of the traps once again and looked to take control of the game early on. Some monsterous distribution from John Curtis created an opening for Thompson but Purton-Turner was quick off of his line to quell the danger. However, there was nothing the Acle stopper could do a few minutes later when Charlie Aulert picked out Jack Simpson in the box and he executed a deft first time finish to give us an early lead. 0-1

Seven minutes later and with Wanderers seeking a second, Taylor was penalised for a foul on Woodgate on the left flank and it was the same two men who battled to get on the end of Self's delivery but it was Woodgate who seemed to prod the ball past Purton-Turner to double our lead. It was difficult to see who got the final touch with the naked eye and even our handsome photographer was unable to provide any clarity but Woody had no such doubts and channelled his inner Harry Kane as he told Thommo it was his goal. I may well need some tiling done in future so I am certainly not going to take it off of him! 0-2

Self then played a neat one-two with Thommo but the Acle back line did well to prevent him from getting a shot away. The hosts began to feel their way into the game and Crane got himself into a dangerous position but he was denied by a combination of Sutcliffe and the ref who signalled a foul in the build up.

Things then got a little bit spicy following a 50/50 challenge in the middle of the park and as referee Edward Frazer put the whistle to his mouth, Simpson's clearance struck Malin. This sparked handbags between both sets of players and after consulting his assistants, Frazer dished out a yellow card for both Sutcliffe and his opposite number before order was restored.

Acle's best chances came just before the break when Roper-Smith sent a cross into the box but none of his teammates were able to provide the finishing touch. The same man responded a few minutes later by getting on the end of a cross but his shot whistled over the bar and Wanderers went into the interval with our two-goal margin intact.

Half-Time | Acle United 0-2 Mulbarton Wanderers

Mulbarton started the second half in similar fashion to the first and Simpson almost extended our lead when he hooked Self's corner goalwards but it was blocked well at the far post. Sutcliffe then evaded his marker from the next corner but was unable to keep his header down on this occasion.

Woodgate was next to sniff a brace but he was crowded out as he approached goal. Woody stayed high upfield and was sent running down the wing before squaring to Dom Doggett who put a bit of swaz on a delightful strike that left Purton-Turner with no chance as the ball sailed beyond his reach and bounced over the line and into the roof of the net. You know it is a good goal when even some of the opposing fans can be seen applauding but Dom was relaxed as ever with his celebration as he received the high-fives from his teammates. The only thing missing from the moment was Andy Gray saying 'tek a bow son'. 0-3

Wanderers then continued to dominate proceedings and sent on fresh legs when Smith, McCloy and Brown replaced Thompson, Self and Simpson. It was Smith who looked most likely to score the games fourth goal but United defended well on both occassions he was played through on goal by Aulert and Brown. With light quickly disappearing, Smith almost benefited at the back post when Purton-Turner fumbled but the keeper recovered well to dive on the ball to prevent Smudge from getting his name on the scoresheet.

Full-Time | Acle United 0-3 Mulbarton Wanderers