Amis off the mark as Wanderers secure first away win.

Saturday saw Mulbarton make their first away trip of the season across the border to Suffolk to visit Haverhill Borough. There was added excitement as the trip saw the initiation of the new MWFC mini bus, kindly provided by Pips Skips. If anyone knows how to remove a limiter though, please get in touch. There were a couple of changes to the team that defeated Leiston Reserves last week, with last years ever present Right Back Liam Brock coming back into the starting 11, allowing Charlie Aulert’s pace to be used higher up the pitch. Dom Doggett also came into the midfield in place of the injured Hayden Gibbons.

From the off it was Mulbarton that had the attacking impetus, with both the midfield and attacking three all full of energy, looking to press and harry Haverhill at every opportunity. This lead to Mulbarton having the ball in the back of the net for the first time after only five minutes when a Guyton corner was knocked in by one of the Haverhill defenders, only for the referee to offer them a reprieve by blowing for a foul when there wasn’t so much as an appeal. Mulbarton’s attacking intent continued to the tenth minute when Sam Whiting, playing in his favoured central position, was played through one on one with the goalkeeper only to be hauled back by the Haverhill defender just outside the penalty area. The defender was in turn rightly dismissed for his decision and the resultant free kick was off target. This early sending off offered Mulbarton an opportunity but perhaps also galvanised Haverhill, who then went on to have a stronger 10 minutes with long balls over the top causing clear issues for Curtis and Sutcliffe at Centre Half. The Haverhill front line lacked conviction though, which is a word that has become synonymous with Tom Amis over the years within the 6 yard box, and after 27 minutes he was given the chance to prove this as he was afforded the space to prod home from close range when the ball ricocheted through from Jack Simpson. 1-0 Wanderers.

The game was certainly not out of sight at this point as Haverhill continued to create opportunities with the home side’s number 7, amongst other things, proving to give Curtis a headache at the back. Fortunately he was unable to take the half chances he was afforded and Wanderers then took what they thought would be a strong foothold on the match when a confident Amis notched his second goal in a blue shirt. He raced on to Simpson’s through ball and only had one thing on his mind as he waited for the keeper to sit down before slotting home at the near post. 2-0. The two goal lead however was short lived as Sutcliffe was extremely unfortunate to concede a penalty for handball when he was on the floor facing the other way. The striker sent Wright the wrong way, standard, to bring an all action half to a close.

Half-Time | Haverhill Borough 1-2 Mulbarton Wanderers

Mulbarton knew coming into the second half that getting that third goal would likely be enough to win them the game, so they came out pressing hard to do so. A fantastic opening was created immediately through a nice combination between the front two of Whiting and Amis which allowed the opportunity to square across the six yard box to the onrushing Aulert. Unfortunately Chaz has spent the first three games of the season at right back and it showed when he decided to clear the ball well over the bar before realising which end he was at. This was quickly forgotten though as moments later the tireless Guyton was released down the right flank into a footrace with the approaching goalkeeper and managed to get their first and knock the ball past him. He still had a lot to do wide of the penalty area as he looked up to see Doggett bursting forward from midfield. Doggett didn’t have to break stride as the ball was floated in front of him and he rose to head the ball back across goal, looping over the defender on the line for his first goal of the season and his first headed goal, possibly ever. 3-1 Wanderers.

Mulbarton then got their foot on the ball and seemed confident that the game was won before Haverhill scored a scrappy late goal to set up a nervous last couple of minutes, when really the game should have already been well out of sight. Of course Mulbarton will be disappointed to concede two very avoidable goals and not to have taken further advantage of a plethora of chances but overall manager’s Self and Thompson will be delighted with the start to the season. It was pleasing to see Brock slot seamlessly back into the back four and Roe’s overlapping runs continue to be a feature of the blues attacking play. The understanding between Amis and Whiting also continued to develop with the latter’s physical presence up top impressive against a strong centre half.

Full-Time | Haverhill Borough 2-3 Mulbarton Wanderers

Man of the Match - Tom Amis

Wanderers go into this Friday’s home game under the lights against old Anglian Combination foes Norwich CBS full of confidence, relishing the opportunity to cause another upset.

Report by Dom Doggett