Bungay Town forced to settle for point after dominant first half display

Bungay had to settle for a point at Aylsham on Saturday after a first half-hour in which they threatened to over-run their opponents.

But having taken a early lead they failed to take other chances and in the end had their 16-year-old keeper Brandon Ling to thank for keeping them in the game.

Early on Dom Mirner clipped a difficult chance just wide from Kevin Riches cross. Then Mirner found Shaun Flint and his chip over the keeper was just too high.

Aylsham put a header wide from a corner but generally play was in the home half. A goal was inevitable and it came in the 15th minute as Kevin Riches forced the keeper into a hurried clearance and Flint drove the loose ball home from the edge of the area.

Soon after another good move set up Sam Wooldridge, signed from Gorleston, and he was unlucky to see his effort come back off a post. Josh Knights then found Flint but the keeper made another good save.

As the home side finally stirred Ling made two great reflex saves to prevent an equaliser and he did the same at the start of the second half.

The equaliser came in the 52nd minute as Sam Bryant broke through on the right and fired low past Ling. Ryan Cook was agonisingly wide the a header as Bungay retaliated and they almost regained the lead when Flint had a shot blocked, Knights’ follow-up was also blocked, and Mirner’s stab at the rebound saw the keeper scoop it away from under the bar.

At the other end Ling had to make two good blocks. Bungay should have scored in the 80th minute but John Riches and Whiteman saw efforts kept out and the visitors had Whiteman and Cook to thank for great goal-line blocks in the final five minutes.

Tomorrow Bungay entertain bottom club Cromer Town (2.30pm).