4th December 2021
Thetford Rovers vs Mulbarton Wanderers @ Euston Park - Euston, nr. Thetford
Norfolk Senior Cup - Second Round
13:15 KO
Free entry
Attendance - approx. 50
Half-time score: Thetford Rovers 0-2 Mulbarton Wanderers
Goals:
Mulbarton Wanderers: Beaumont - 15'
Mulbarton Wanderers: Hislop - 28'
Thetford Rovers: Briviglieiri - 58'
Mulbarton Wanderers: Whiting - 68'
Leigh Simons recorded the goals, see links below:
Final Score: Thetford Rovers 1-3 Mulbarton Wanderers
I wasn't planning on going to a game today as I am off to the 2nd Round FA Cup tie at Colchester United on Sunday, however, due to Christmas related family commitments, I won't be able to go to any more matches until after Christmas (unless I find any mid-week games), so I thought it would be rude not to go today, especially as it is Norfolk Cup day, one of my favourite competitions. Thetford Rovers vs Mulbarton Wanderers was the tie that interested me the most, with both teams doing well in their respective leagues. Mulbarton went into this game as clear favourites, playing in Step 5, whereas Thetford Rovers ply their trade in Step 8, three divisions lower, but I thought that Rovers could certainly give them a decent game, despite Covid recently tearing through their squad. As a side note, Thetford Rovers must be the only team in the Norfolk Cup who play in Suffolk, as Euston Park is just over the border.
Despite the disparity in league position, the game started evenly, with both teams looking tentative, but Mulbarton were the first to begin to carve out chances in their opponents half. In the 7th minute, Mulbarton put the ball in the net, Whiting played in Thompson and his scuffed shot was bundled in by another Mulbarton attacker, but it was ruled out for offside. In the 9th minute, a Rovers long ball was blocked and from this Whiting managed a stinging shot from the edge of the box, but it was tipped onto crossbar, and as the ball looped back into the six-yard box, the ball was contested but a foul on the defender was given to relieve the pressure on the Rovers defence. In the 15th minute, the Mulbarton pressure eventually resulted in the opener. Mulbarton were attacking the box, when defender Hutcherson put in a heavy tackle at the edge of the area to concede a free-kick. Set piece specialist Beaumont stepped up and his strike nestled into the corner of the net, 1-0 to Mulbarton.
Mulbarton were looking threatening from set-pieces, and in the 27th minute, they went close again. A Beaumont free-kick from the left flank was whipped in, it hit the first man but looped dangerously towards the far post, and the onrushing Easton was unable to make contact with the ball, and it went out for a corner. From the resulting corner, Beaumont fired in the perfect ball to the far post and tall Mulbarton defender Hislop rose highest to fire the ball goal-bound, it crashed into the crossbar and down, and as Thetford Rovers scrambled to clear the ball it was awarded as a goal.
After the second goal, Rovers stepped up their play, and were able to negate Mulbarton and begin to create some chances of their own. In the 37th minute, Goodchild played a through ball to Luke Hunt, he shot from the edge of the area, and the goalkeeper had to scramble to push the ball out for a corner. In the final minute of the half, Standley played in pacey winger Tucker, and his daisy-cutter of a shot had beaten the keeper, but scooted narrowly wide, a big chance.
In he second half, Thetford Rovers had made a change, with Briviglieiri, known as Junior, coming on for Luke Hunt. He immediately made an impact, and in the 48th minute, he let rip with a 25 yard strike that went narrowly over. He tried again in the 50th minute, this time from 20 yards and his strike was deflected out for a corner.
In the 54th minute, Mulbarton had an excellent opportunity to put the game to bed. A poor ball from Rovers keeper Callum Hunt was intercepted by Beaumont, he ran through on goal and fired a powerful and swerving shot from the edge of the area, but it ended up going straight down the keepers throat and was saved.
In the 58th minute, Rovers pulled a goal back from nowhere, a moment of magic from Brazilian player Briviglieiri, aka Junior. He got the ball in a deep position and battled hard close to the half-way line to maintain possession. He won his battle, and as a result, space opened up in front of him, he took a couple of touches then from nowhere unleashed a 30 yard screamer that sailed straight into the goal, the keeper had no chance.
Buoyed by the wonder strike, Rovers went hunting for the equaliser, and went close in the following minute, strikers Dean and Standley linked up well, and Standley threaded a ball through for Junior, he got to the ball first, inside the area, but wildly blasted his effort wide, a huge moment, and an easier strike than the one he scored. In the 61st minute, captain Joseph fired in a long free kick form the Rovers half, and centre-back Hutcherson rose highest and back flicked a looping header towards goal, but it went narrowly over.
With Rovers pushing up higher, there was more space at the back and Mulbarton went close in the 62nd minute, Thompson worked hard attacking the defenders, he had the ball at the Rovers goal line, played it back to Whiting, and his first time shot flew just wide. In the 68th minute, Thompson attacked down the the right wing, squared a ball into the box which was bundled in at the near post by Whiting to make it 3-1 to Mulbarton, and effectively sealing the game.
The goal did not stop Rovers attacking, and in the 73rd minute, Lopes intercepted the ball and released Standley, and he was charging through on goal, but was cynically tripped by Aulert, and as the last defender he was rightfully sent off with a straight red card. With Mulbarton down to 10-men the game was back on for Rovers. However, Mulbarton are experienced campaigners, and they became compact and made it very difficult for Rovers to create anything. Mulbarton actually went close to a fourth on a few occasions, again courtesy of set-pieces. Beaumont went close in the 78th and 84th minutes, and in the 81st minute, a Beaumont free-kick was picked by Whiting inside the box, he twisted to make space to shoot, and his effort was just wide. The game got very scrappy at the end as Rovers were desperate to attack, but Mulbarton were just too organised and resolute, and played out the game to the final whistle.
Mulbarton certainly knew that were in a game today, Rovers gave a really good account of themselves, and had one of the Rovers chances gone in during their excellent 15 minute spell in the second half, I think Mulbarton would have struggled to win this game, fine margins. Whilst it was not the strongest Mulbarton team, it was also a weakened Rovers team, so extra kudos need to be given to them, all the players battled hard and can be proud with their efforts today. Mulbarton are through to the next round, and will be hoping that they can go on another big cup run like last season where they were finalists. Similarly to when I saw Mulbarton beat Thetford Town, and Lakenheath, they are really dangerous from set-pieces, they have to be one of the best at this level, nearly every ball is dangerous, and it must be a nightmare to play against. I hope the performance gives Rovers confidence going into the league, I wish them all the best moving forward.
Line-Ups:
THETFORD ROVERS: Callum Hunt, Robbie Molloy, Todd Hutcherson, Luke Woods, Arron Joseph (C), Taylor Vickers, Josh Tucker, Charlie Goodchild, Oli Standley, Luke Hunt, James Dean. SUBS: Vladimiro Lopes, Claudinei Briviglieiri
MULBARTON WANDERERS: Tommy Wright, Charlie Aulert, Dom Doggett, James Page (C), Thomas Hislop, Joseph Easton, Cain Eagleton, Owen Lane, Ben Thompson, Sam Whiting, Daniel Beaumont. SUBS: Ben Jones, Tobias Oliver, Tim Henery, Elliot Altay, Daniel Self.
James always writes a great report, full of background and match detail. I doubt there is a better non league reporter about and I think the local press should be looking to publish these. A great way too keep in touch with local footie. Are you doing a report for Colchester V Wigan. Sorry you lost.