25th April 2023
East Harling vs Mundford @ East Harling Memorial Field - East Harling
Anglian Combination Premier Division (Step 7)
18:30 KO
Free entry
Attendance - approx. 100
Half-time score: East Harling 0-0 Mundford
Goal:
East Harling: Allin - 81'
Final Score: East Harling 1-0 Mundford
An early kick-off midweek at East Harling was the pick of the fixtures for me, as they faced local rivals Mundford. Mundford were playing for pride, whereas East Harling were in a tight battle with Wroxham Reserves for 2nd place. This was only my second time at East Harling, the pitch was looking great, the sun was out, the clubhouse was busy and there was also a large turnout for this game, fantastic to see.
Both teams turned out in their home colours, East Harling in green and Mundford in red and black stripes.
KEY MOMENTS
EH = East Harling
MU = Mundford
10' - EH - Grove loses possession and No.7 immediately threads the ball through to No.17, splitting the Mundford defense, he powers forward and just as he is about to run into the box with the ball, he is brought down by Dozier, and the referee awards a free-kick on the edge of the box, with Dozier getting an early yellow card for his troubles.
12' - EH - The ensuing free-kick is launched into the box, it is cleared but falls to the No.17 just outside the box, he hits a dangerous strike that curls wide.
15' - EH - The No.3 goes to whip a ball into the box, it doesn't quite come off as expected, but it is headed into the goal, the wrong-footed Phillips just about manages to shift over to palm the ball out.
27' - MU - Dozier goes on a good run down the left-wing, drawing a foul just on the corner of the East Harling box. Smalls steps up and hits a sweetly struck free-kick that has to be tipped over the bar to concede a corner.
37' - MU - A long ball is launched forwards, it bounces to set up a foot race between Valter Rocha and the East Harling keeper, Valter gets there first, his dinked effort is beyond the reach of the keeper, but it bounces harmlessly wide of the post, so close!
65' - MU - Smalls has another good effort from a free-kick, his effort, although dipping, flies over the bar.
81' - EH - GOAL (1-0) - From a set-piece the ball is cleared, but East Harling hook the ball forwards again, and two attackers, the No. 14 and Allin beat the offside trap, the high ball falls to Allin at the far-post and he nods the ball just out of reach of Phillips, the ball crashing into the post and in, to give the East Harling a late lead, setting up an exciting finale! There were strong protests for offside, but the linesman was adamant that the goalscorer was onside.
85' - MU - A freak injury for the Mundford keeper, Charlie Phillips, as he goes to retrieve a loose ball in the grass, he slips and seemingly injures his ankle, unable to continue. This forces out-field player Charlie Goodchild to return to the field, after having been substituted, to play between the sticks for the final 5 minutes.
That was a really enjoyable local derby, both teams battled hard, there was just enough edge to make the game interesting, but to their credit, both teams kept their discipline in a game where both defenses had the upper-hand for the majority of the game. The East Harling defense in particular done a great job keeping the dangerous Mundford frontline at bay, and when they attacked it was swift and accurate, only some fine last ditch tackles stopping the efforts from coming in. There were also some big Mundford performances, wingers Dozier and Grove both had a strong game and looked dangerous on the counter, and captain Hutcherson was relentless in cutting out attack-after-attack in a performance that did not warrant the late goal. However, East Harling ramped up the pressure at the end, and it eventually saw them get the goal before they were able to close out the game as the sun set behind the hills in the distance. The win sees East Harling move level Wroxham Reserves with a game in hand, hotting up the battle for 2nd! On the other hand, Mundford have one game left as they host Acle United, I'm hoping they can sign-off the campaign with a win.
Line-Ups:
EAST HARLING (alphabetical order): Matthew Allin, Callum Bray, Kieran Brown, Ruben Gomes, Alfie Sandon, Jordan Scent, Mark Shadrack, Matt Venables, Stephen Vennell, Charlie Webb, Jamie Woodcock. SUBS: Harley Durrant, Brad Rivett.
MUNDFORD: Charlie Phillips, Charlie Goodchild, Todd Hutcherson (C), James Walters, Ashton Dozier, Luke Hunt, Magic Smalls, Liam Levy-Twomey, Bruno Taveres, Dylan Grove, Valter Rocha. SUBS: Kieran Steward, Mason Thorogood, Richard Williams.
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