Lowestoft Town Reserves 2, Mattishall 2MATTISHALL came home with a good Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Premier Division point.One point was satisfying, but the players knew it could have been more to boost their survival chances in their final run-in, with seven matches remaining.

Lowestoft Town Reserves 2, Mattishall 2

MATTISHALL came home with a good Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Premier Division point.

One point was satisfying, but the players knew it could have been more to boost their survival chances in their final run-in, with seven matches remaining.

The Blues were in fine form as they contained and passed the ball at leisure, frustrating Mattishall with their possession play. With so much of the ball, it was inevitable that the hosts would turn their superiority into goals, and they scored twice in the first half.

In the second half things had to change for Mattishall, who re-arranged their formation to adopt a more attacking role to try and salvage something from what looked a lost cause.

Lowestoft also reshuffled as they tried to shore up their defences to preserve their two-goal advantage. Mattishall looked a different team in the second period.

A goal was pulled back by Simon Wooden and midway through the second period the equaliser came, with the persistent Ryan Hardy hitting home the all-important second.

The Blues were on the rack, had to defend stoutly, hung on and were happy with a point. Mattishall could have snatched all three points with their second-half performance.

The club has re-emphasised the need for a first team manager to take the helm for the remaining matches and for the following season in this very competitive league. Any potential personnel should contact the chairman Kenn Winn on 01362 692189.

On Saturday, Mattishall are away to Norwich Union, ko 2.30pm, meet at 12.30.

Mattishall Reserves entertained Hempnall Reserves in a must-win game to try and preserve their Division Three status.

It took a lot of backbone to dig out a very narrow 2-1 victory.

Mattishall started the better and were constantly putting their opponents under pressure, but the Hempnall keeper was dealing with everything that came at him in the air. However, he seemed a bit slower with the ball on the ground, which Reece Langley exploited to put Mattishall ahead.

Chances were plentiful for Mattishall first half but the score remained 1-0.

Hempnall came out the stronger in the second half, but could not turn their superiority into goals. Their free-kick totally out-foxed everyone as it went into the net via the left-hand post.

It looked to be the old, familiar tale as Mattishall were flagging with Hempnall still in command.

However, when the Hempnall keeper came off his line to clear, the ball landed kindly at the feet of Mathew Fitzpatrick, his first-time effort going into an empty net, with the keeper still in no man's land. Mattishall held on for the points with ease.

There was a bad injury to a visiting player, who had to be stretchered to a waiting ambulance. Mattishall FC wish him a speedy recovery.

Mattishall Reserves are home to Morley Village, ko 2.30pm, meet at 1.30.