Mattishall 2, Long Stratton 0MATTISHALL got back to winning ways and top Anglian Combination Division One. George Pledger was given his first start this season as keeper with the influential Rob Connelly back at centre half.

Mattishall 2, Long Stratton 0

MATTISHALL got back to winning ways and top Anglian Combination Division One.

George Pledger was given his first start this season as keeper with the influential Rob Connelly back at centre half. The Wooden brothers Graham and Simon started the game up front.

Mattishall started very brightly and pushed the visitors back and got the early breakthrough in the 18th minute. A long kick from Pledger was neatly flicked on by Graham Wooden to Gary Harbour, who took a touch before rounding the keeper to slide the ball into the empty net.

Mattishall then sat back and allowed the visitors a passage of possession, although keeper Pledger was never tested as the back four held firm. Mattishall began to reassert themselves and dominate and nearly increased their lead just before half-time when Harbour's cross-cum-shot hit the woodwork.

The second half started with Mattishall still in control, giving the visitors very few chances. A Lovell 20 yarder, although straight at the keeper, was spilled but there was no one to pick up the pieces. On 70 minutes new signing Luke Winter replaced Graham Wooden and within five minutes he had made an impact. The ball was played down the right to Winter, who squared the ball to Harbour on the edge of the box who drilled the ball into the bottom left corner.

Substitute McCann had a clear chance when clean in on goal, hesitation allowed the visitors to clear their lines.

The result was the perfect response from the previous week's performance and the clean sheet was as important, and only their second of the season.