Blofield United 1, Mattishall 0

MATTISHALL visited Blofield with both teams needing a win to boost their chances of finishing second in the Anglian Combination Premier Division.

The game played out on a surface as hard as the A47 saw both sides create very few openings in the early stages.

A flowing move involving Harbour and Applegate saw the cross fall to Stenner, whose first attempt was blocked nd his second, from the rebound, pulled wide.

In a game in which neither keeper saw much action, Blofield forced the first corner on 33 minutes from which a dummy by Holmes created some space for himself. His strike on goal saw Pledger make a fine sprawling save.

A good ball from Lovell put Applegate away down the left flank, and his early ball into the box set up Sommerfield to glance a header wide.

Taunton then robbed Woolston on the edge of his own box but he fired over the bar. Then Applegate laid in Sommerfield, who he failed to get the best of contacts on the ball, which was easily gathered by Woodcock.

A long ball from Blofield bounced and beat the defenders, and Holmes forced Pledger into making the save.

But from the throw-in, the ball was delivered into the box, and from the attempted clearance Mills found the corner of the net through a crowd of players deep into first-half time added on to give the home side a narrow lead.

Mattishall, early in the second half, had a chance when a poor clearance from the home keeper fell to Taunton, but he shot wide.

A great ball from Taunton resulted in Sommerfield finding the back of the net, but he was adjudged to be offside.

Blofield had a cross from the right fall to Brett, but he failed to make good contact on the ball and the visitors made the clearance. From the corner, Lovell made a fine challenge at the far post on Skolls to prevent a goal.

Mattishall introduced Catchpole and a fine move saw Gibbons released down the right. From his cross Catchpole headed straight at Woodcock.

As Mattishall chased an equaliser, a long throw from Lewis was flicked on by Sommerfield to Taunton, who shot wide.

Then in time added on Mattishall had loud appeals for a penalty turned down by the officials, and the game ended in a narrow victory for Blofield.

MATTISHALL A gave a creditable performance against the best team in the league.

Diss were on top throughout the first half and took a 3-0 lead before a good passing move saw James Bandrowski reduced the arrears.

The second half was much more even. Diss made it 4-1 before Joe Gaston scored from the penalty spot.

Twice Mattishall went close with efforts from Carl Kinsley and Joe before Diss scored a late fifth.

The effort by the Mattishall boys cannot be criticised, and they deserved more from the game.