Hindringham's vital victory

Hindringham 3, Mattishall 1THIS was a must-win match for both Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Premier Division strugglersHindringham remain bottom with 14 points from 20 games, Mattishall just above them with 15 from 21.

Hindringham 3, Mattishall 1

THIS was a must-win match for both Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Premier Division strugglers

Hindringham remain bottom with 14 points from 20 games, Mattishall just above them with 15 from 21.

Hindringham manager Marcus Oliver made two changes following the poor performance against Beccles. Gibson came in for the suspended Tagg and Parsley replaced East up front.

Hindringham's groundsman Aiden Heslin and helpers worked tirelessly in the morning to clear the snow and get the pitch ready for this relegation battle, and they were not disappointed in the end.

Mattishall's call last week for some of the area's better players from lower leagues to play a higher standard of football fell on deaf ears, as nobody took up the challenge to better themselves in a senior team.

Sheringham's Norfolk Senior Cup win at Dereham showed there is a different class of football out there if players want it badly enough. Nevertheless, Mattishall had to get on with the job in hand.

On a slippery surface Hindringham created space early on for Chilvers and Clipston to get at the visitors' full-backs, but their crosses did not cause problems for the Mattishall back four.

West was getting forward and supporting Parsley and Betts. Great hold-up play from Parsley enabled West a glorious goal scoring opportunity, but he sent his shot the wrong side of the post.

Hindringham camped themselves in Mattishall's half and from an Osler long kick Parsley held the ball up and laid it back to Coslett, who played a delightful ball through for skipper West to smash the ball past the keeper.

Mattishall failed to take their chances. It seemed as though any urgency had left their ranks.

In the second half, Hindringham had problems dealing with the wind and Mattishall tried to play themselves back into the game with a number of corners.

Hindringham tried to play on the break, but kept giving the ball away and Oliver made a change up front, with Thomas East coming on for Darryl Parsley.

Fifteen minutes into the second half Mattishall equalised as Howard Duff, back into the team from injury, rose above the home defence to head home. Mattishall rallied with their possession play, but failed to hit home in front of goal.

Hindringham upped their game and with the introduction of Tony Walker for Clipston, they started to get quality crosses into the box. Walker whipped a great cross into the box for East to poke home from close range.

Hindringham then took total control and Coslett had a chance to seal the game, but he hit the corner flag. Then moments later, Walker again delivered a great cross for East to beat his man and the keeper to seal a great squad performance and hopefully help their push up the table.

Next, Hindringham play Blofield home, meet The Elms 1pm for a 2pm ko.

Mattishall accepted that Hindringham looked as if they wanted to win more than they did.

The Mattishall Reserves' match at home against CEYMS and Mattishall YCOB's match at home against The Grove were postponed due to a frozen pitch.

This weekend: Mattishall First XI home to Cromer Town, ko 2pm, meet at 1; Mattishall Reserves away to Martham, ko 2, meet at 12.15; Mattishall YCOB no match scheduled for this weekend.