Anglian Combination D1: Mundford 2-3 Thetford Rovers

19th August 2025

Mundford vs Thetford Rovers @ The Glebe - Mundford

Anglian Combination Division One (Step 8)

19:00 KO

Free entry

Attendance - approx. 90

Half-time score: Mundford 2-1 Thetford Rovers

Goals:

Thetford Rovers: Hutt - 5'(P)

Mundford: Brindle - 14'

Mundford: Minns - 37'

Thetford Rovers: Hutt - 52'

Thetford Rovers: Husak - 97'

Final Score: Mundford 2-3 Thetford Rovers

Tonight's game saw two local teams go head-to-head as Mundford hosted Thetford Rovers. With Mundford having been relegated last season, they join Thetford Rovers and Brandon Town in the Anglian Combination Division One. Only one league game has been played by each of these teams so it is very early days, but Mundford were looking to make amends for an opening day loss, whilst Thetford Rovers were hoping to secure back-to-back wins.

It was another perfect day for football, a dry sunny day in the low 20's, and as the sun went down it got a little chilly with a background breeze coming through. The Glebe was looking immaculate, the groundsmen do a fantastic job here. Out onto the pitch the teams lined up, Mundford in their home red and black stripes, with Thetford Rovers in their away blue kits.

KEY MOMENTS

MU = Mundford

TR = Thetford Rovers

5' - TR - PENALTY & GOAL (0-1) - Ball launched up to Hutt in the middle, he turns and pings the ball down the left to find Vickers sprinting down the wing, he takes the ball into the box and is wiped out and the referee immediately points to the spot. Harry Hutt steps up to take the penalty and calmly drills the ball into the bottom left corner.

14' - MU - GOAL (1-1) - The No.3 has the ball on the left and crosses the ball into the box to find Brindle, he takes a touch, picks his spot and slots the ball into the net for the equaliser.

24' - MU - A long-ball is hit down the line along the left-flank, the Minns gets on the end of it and squares the ball across, the No.10 has the ball on the edge of the box, he strikes the ball cleanly but it flies narrowly over the bar.

26' - TR - Levy-Twomey wins the ball deep in the Mundford half, he heads it on, strides forwards and has a go from the edge of the box, his daisy cutter is heading into the bottom right corner but the keeper gets down well to make the save.

33' - MU - Penalty shout for Mundford, Thetford Rovers are unable to clear their lines, Jim Walters picks up the ball on the edge of the box, is half-dispossessed before being taken out, looked a 50/50 challenge but seen those given. Shortly after, the No.10 has a stinging strike from the edge of the box, but the effort is well saved.

37' - MU - GOAL (2-1) - Mundford turn things around, the captain Carter on the right squares the ball into Walters, he then finds Minns open in the box and he slides the ball into the bottom left corner, excellent fast passing with a great finish.

48' - TR - Sillet with a long ball forwards, substitute Husak gets on the end of it and strikes towards the bottom right corner, but the keeper gets down to make the save.

52' - TR - GOAL (2-2) - Rovers finally draw back level, Husak drives in from the right, he finds Hutt in the box who is able to take-a-touch to make space and his low strike goes through the keeper and into the net.

68' - TR - Another excellent Sillet long-ball, Husak is on the end of it again, he shows the defence a clean pair of heels, he is 1-on-1 with the keeper but his cross goal strike flashes wide, big chance for Rovers to regain the lead.

83' - TR - Rovers with a free-kick in a great position, Hutt steps up and strikes the ball well, it is over the wall and dipping, but whistles just over the bar, an inch or two away from a hat-trick!

87' - MU - Mundford substitute No.12 with a 25yrd effort, the effort dips into the bottom left corner and the keeper spills it, but luckily it goes out for a corner.

97' - TR - GOAL & RED CARD (2-3) - Thetford Rovers with a winner deep in stoppage, and a controversial one at that! The ball goes out off a Thetford Rovers player but the throw-in was awarded to Rovers, 2 or 3 incensed Mundford players charge at the referee but the throw-in is taken quickly, into the space Hutt drives down the byline and crosses the ball to the far-post, where Husak chests the ball down and rifles the ball into the net on the volley! Firstly, that was one hell of a finish, certainly not a gimme! In the aftermath I think it was the Mundford captain who receives a red card having confronted the referee, but I do sympathise, as in their eyes a poor decision led to the goal. Playing devil's advocate Mundford should also have been wiser, too many players complained, took their eye off the ball, allowing Rovers to set-up the chance for the winner. All-in-all and eventful end to an eventful game, where Thetford Rovers make it 6 points from a possible 6.

That was a really entertaining game that ebbed and flowed, Rovers were on-top initially and took a well deserved lead, but Mundford played themselves back into the game turning things around with Rovers looking on the ropes. Having been kept out on the pitch at half-time, Rovers with the managers words ringing in their ears began to dominate and got back into the game and even had chances to go-ahead, but as the game drew to an end it was actually Mundford who looked the most likely to score until Rovers late and controversial winner. It was a game that felt like a draw would have been the fairest result, and it could have been higher scoring, a lack of accuracy in the final third letting both teams down, but it was Thetford Rovers who took their chance when gifted to them by the referee and the incensed Mundford players, with two of their stand-out players Hutt and Husak linking up for the winner. Despite the loss, Mundford have a lot of positives to build-on, Brindle in particular looking a handful up-front, and I hope they get some points on the board soon. Thetford Rovers were on the ropes and showed great fight to turn the deficit around and can hopefully build on this to mount a sustained promotion charge. I wish both teams best of luck going forwards and hope to be back soon, the return fixture of this game should be a good one if I am free!

Line-Ups:

MUNDFORD (in alphabetical order): Alfie Brindle, Arron Carter (C), Cole Hagland, Leo Hails, Shane Horsnell, Todd Hutcherson, Kirils Jakusovs, Paulo Martins, Joseph Minns, Jed Mouncer, James Walters. SUBS: Alexandru Mesesan, Corbyn Owen-Jary, Masau Zulu.

THETFORD ROVERS: Tomasz Ostrowski, Joe Busby, James Sillet, Jay Proctor, Grzegorz Ostrowski, Liam Levy-Twomey, Harvey McGeeney (C), Harry Hutt, Will Cunningham, Taylor Vickers, Halen Smith. SUBS: Tom McDonald, Yaroslav Husak, Billy Proctor.