Stunner in the 99th minute brings Heath a replay at Mulberry Park in first ever FA Cup match

In what was with a lively and bumper crowd seated in our new stand and all participating in our fantastic fruit & veg raffle, was a warm sunny day, befitting of any big occasion, and this was a big one. The first time Lakenheath have played in the FA Cup.

The game started with both teams looking to get on the front foot, Heath looking much more livlier and fluent on the ball however, and we opened our scoring very early on in the third minute with a trademark Shaun Avis header into the right hand side of the goal, leaving no chance for Mulbarton’s number 1, McIntosh looked delighted with what is now the norm for him. Supplying perfect crosses into the box.

We had a few other chances in the next half an hour through Thulborn and Avis who were both constantly looking threatening. Mulbarton crept their way into the game and we had to take to the back foot before Mulbarton’s number 9 crept through our defense and finished at Beckwith’s near post, a very nice finish.

Tom Thulborn went down just as the half-time whistle went after Mulbarton’s keeper and Tommy went into a challenge for the ball, and the Keeper’s knee appeared to go into the side of Tommy’s knee, he was in very visible discomfort and we’re hopeful he’s available for selection in the very near future.

The referee kicked off the second-half bang on time and we were underway again, much of the same unfortunately as the latter stages of the previous half, and Mulbarton doubled their goal tally to 2, winning for the first time in game. It was a fantastic delivery into the box by Mulbarton and it crept all the way through past Beckwith.

The new signing and substitute Slater had a chance as he managed to turn and find nearly a perfect shooting chance, Mulbarton’s keeper was quick to get down and scoop up the ball.

Heath were running out of steam and ideas, and it seemed like Mulbarton had controlled the second half far too well for us. Beckwith dispatched a goal kick straight onto the head of Mulbarton’s player-manager Danny Self, which fell for 17-year-old Euan Banks who chested and headed it to centre-back Casey Underwood who was floating around the edge of the box as Heath were throwing everything forward. Casey sought to hit it first time, and hit it he did! An absolute peach of a half-volley from the edge of the area goes flying into the top corner, much to the pleasure of the home team’s fans and the dugout.

…and with that we now have a return journey to Mulbarton to see if Heath can do it in Wanderer’s back yard.

Come on Heath!