Lineup - Collishaw, Hare, K. Carter, Robinson, L. Appleton, Dye, C. Sutcliffe, N. Appleton, Babb, M. Appleton, M. Sutcliffe
Subs - D. Carter, Simpson, Balicki

Wanderers were without Clifford, Newbery, Bland (holiday) and with Fisher lining up for the Reserves after recovering from injury were still able to pick a strong fourteen to face Division 3 side UEA.

The information on our opponents was that they played on a very narrow pitch and played a passing game with lots of free movement between their attackers. Instead of using the width afforded to us by our Mulberry Park pitch we opted to use a more direct approach with central defender Mark Sutcliffe playing up top as a target man.

Wanderers took the lead through the best passage of play ending when Babb got on the end of a Mark Appleton cross/shot to tap in at the far post. UEA failed to create anything and their inability to string many passes together was a surprise. Unfortunately we lowered ourselves to their level in the first half and instead of "smelling blood" we took our foot off and allowed UEA to stay in the game.

Indeed the second half was a different game altogether with the home side now more fired up they were a better team. Unfortunately for their coach he was perhaps a little too fired up and got himself sent off/away from the touchline for a combination of some disrespectful comments about our team and some dissent towards the referee.

The second half was end-to-end. UEA equalised after a defensive blunder allowed their player a free strike in the box. We then immediately regained the lead when Dale Simpson, just off the bench, shifted the ball out of his feet and smashed a beautiful shot into the top corner from twenty five yards out. We then conceded another sloppy goal as UEA began to pile on the pressure in the latter stages and we went into extra time having three players struggling with cramp, one playing his first game in over a month and another playing through the pain barrier with a heavily swollen ankle. In comparison the youngsters in the UEA side looked positively fresh and that, combined with our diabolical defending, resulted in an entertaining but ultimately disappointing twenty minutes where we took the lead again through Mark Appleton but then conceded two more poor goals, the winner coming with two minutes remaining.

It was disappointing that we couldn't hold on a lead today, despite having it three times. Last week we were left to rue missed opportunities, this week it is some poor defending and the superior fitness of our opponents which has cost us. However the priority is and always will be promotion for us so we won't be too downhearted about the result today. We played pretty well, adapted to a new formation and style of play and it was a bloody good work out for everyone.

Man of the Match - A toss up between Mark Sutcliffe and Luke Appleton. Mark was outstanding up front, showing intelligence, a great touch and good hold up play to bring others into play. Luke was playing his first game of the season at centre half and, for ninety minutes, was a rock at the back sweeping up behind the rest of the back four superbly. A special mention to Babb and Mark Appleton who ran their socks off for the team today.

Next week sees the visit of Fakenham Town Reserves who have put together a decent run of late after struggling early on. Kick off is at 2pm on Mulberry Park.