Gayton 0, Mattishall 5MATTISHALL continued their push for promotion from Anglian Combination Division One having named the same starting 11 for the third game on the trot.

Gayton 0, Mattishall 5

MATTISHALL continued their push for promotion from Anglian Combination Division One having named the same starting 11 for the third game on the trot.

It took them less than a minute to create their first chance when a long clearance from Pledger saw Wooden and Clark combine to leave Connelly a chance which the home keeper Anderson did well to push away for a corner.

Pledger's long clearances causing havoc in the home rearguard and it was from one of these that Mattishall took the lead. When the ball broke to Clarke and he made no mistake.

Mattishall bombarded Gayton's box and soon went two ahead when Connolley took advantage of another Wooden flick-on to round the keeper before slotting into the empty net.

Mattishall were completely dominating but Pledger was forced into a sharp save from Thaxton, and the same player missed the target when well placed as Gayton battled to get back in the game.

Normal service was resumed when the impressive Hall controlled the ball with his back to goal before spinning and hitting a sweet volley into the right-hand corner of the net to give Mattishall what looked an unassailable lead.

Anderson made two good saves to prevent Mattishall from increasing their lead but with five minutes of the half remaining Mattishall were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Starling hit an unstoppable shot into the top left corner for 4-0 at half-time, a score which could have been double.

The second half started with Gayton making a better contest of it. On the hour Mattishall brought on Rob Connelly, Hewitt and Harbour, and made some formation changes.

Simon Wooden scored after more good build-up play, reward for his tireless efforts. Pledger also made another excellent save, palming away a crisp strike. But the back four had defended well all game and did not look like conceding even when the hosts were awarded two free-kicks in dangerous areas. The wall did its job.

Mattishall Reserves entertained South Walsham and despite fielding a relatively strong side went down to a disappointing 2-1 reverse with Christian Harbour scoring.

On Saturday, Mattishall visit Wymondham and on Tuesday they entertain Wells.