The wait was finally over and Mulberry Park was looking sensational in the sunshine on what was an historic day for the club. As always, a lot of hard work had gone on behind the scenes over the summer. Chairman Duane James had done a marvellous job in the home changing room and Tim Hales of TH Groundcare somehow managed to deliver a decent playing surface despite being up against it with the constant hot weather since vital drainage works carried out with Duane at the end of last season.

AFC Sudbury Reserves were the first visitors to Mulberry Park and with a few ex-sudbury players in our squad, the club spoke with our Sudbury counterparts and the league to arrange a minute’s applause before kick-off to remember Sudbury’s Tony Simpson. We would like to thank everyone in attendance for taking part in what was a lovely moment to remember one of local football’s great characters.

Debuts were handed to Mason Roe, Sam Whiting and Tom Amis with fellow summer signing Dan Corner amongst the substitutes. Referee Ahmed Mohamed signalled the start of our first ever game at step six of the football pyramid and both sides were eager to stamp their authority in the opening stages. The tempo was fast and there was some wonderful build up play on show but we were both struggling to create anything of note in the final third as each defence was standing firm and this often lead to passes being over hit.

Tom Amis was the first to call either keeper into action when Jack Guyton won possession in the middle of the park and slipped the ball into his path, Amis cut inside and tried his luck from 25 yards, which produced a decent save from Ben Whiteman. Wanderers were enjoying the lion’s share of possession and providing a more frequent threat to goal but Sudbury looked dangerous on the break and could have caused a few more problems for Wright and co. had there been a better final pass.

Wanderers then had a golden opportunity to take the lead 10 minutes before half time. Whiting skilfully made his way to the byline and attempted to bend the ball round Whiteman who got fingertips to his effort and the ball bounced just beyond the reach of Aulert, who would have had a tap in had it fell better. Sudbury then sent Gilbert racing through on goal but Wright was quickly off his line to clear the danger.

Half-Time | Mulbarton Wanderers 0-0 AFC Sudbury Reserves

The teams returned to the pitch for the second half and Mulbarton came flying out of the blocks in search of the opening goal and Whiting set the tone with a low drive towards the bottom right corner but the Sudbury stopper got down well to thwart him. Gibbons, Guyton and Doggett continued to hunt down possession and join in with the attack whenever possible. Aulert and Roe were playing like wing-backs as we looked to increase the pressure on the young Sudbury side and one particular delivery from Chaz was destined for the head of Whiting but was headed clear by Mills.

Sudbury were certainly up for the battle in defence but every time they looked to play the ball forward it was being sent straight back by Sutcliffe and Curtis who were looking as solid as ever at the back. Roe then found Doggett who weaved his way to the edge of the 18 yard box and tried to find the top corner but his effort dipped onto the roof of the net.

Fresh legs were then introduced in the form of Jack Simpson who was sent on in place of Doggett. Then came a controversial moment of the game when Guyton sent a corner towards the back post that was headed in by Sam Whiting who thought he had grabbed a debut goal. However, it was quickly ruled out by Mohamed who said he spotted a foul on Whiteman but it looked like an incorrect decision to most people present at Mulberry Park.

For the first time of the game, Sudbury were showing signs of being rocked and Wanderers looked to capitalise by sending on Altay in place of Thompson. He made an instant impact from another Guyton corner as he flicked the ball onto Amis who sent a scissor kick towards goal that was bravely blocked by Hanson.

Sudbury were then awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position following a foul committed by Sutcliffe. The Sudbury forward managed to get his effort up and over the wall but it was slightly too high to trouble Wright and just cleared the bar. Wanderers then made our final change as Smith replaced Amis. Smudge was straight into the thick of the action as he raced into the area down the right but his cutback was diverted for a corner by Grimes.

Guyton then sent a free-kick into the Sudbury wall before Mills was penalised for a foul on Wright down the other end. It turned out to be a thrilling end to the game as both teams pushed for what would surely be the winning goal. Smith delivered a delightful ball towards the back post but Altay guided his diving header just wide and then in stoppage time, Altay flicked Guyton’s corner onto Sutcliffe but the skipper went for too much power and ballooned his effort high over the bar.

Full-Time | Mulbarton Wanderers 0-0 AFC Sudbury Reserves

Man of the Match – Charlie Aulert