Mattishall 3, Loddon United 1

Loddon can feel a little hard done by with the scoreline and will rue defensive errors and failing to hit the target more often.

Within the first minute, a Loddon corner flew beyond everyone, and Durrant collected and crossed back to the far post where Parkin set himself for the shot, only to have his legs taken from behind – but nothing was given.

Good clearances by Robin and Dan Andersen, then Durrant, preceded a 12-yard Mattishall effort, well gathered low down by Robinson.

Baylis slipped in a crucial position but Hancock put in a great covering tackle. Mattishall were looking useful going forward and Robinson was called to make two more good stops and Loddon didn’t help themselves with poor distribution from the back.

A Sadler cross evaded all, Squire picked up and set up Summons, who sliced wide. Robin Andersen then crossed for Marjoribanks to head just over.

A lovely move saw Parkin, Marjoribanks and Summons conjure a half-chance for Sadler. Defensive errors, not helped by the very slippery pitch, put pressure on Robinson, but he coped admirably.

Good Loddon possession ended with Robin Andersen heading wide of the target, while at the other end Hancock headed a corner off his line.

Squire cleverly beat his man near the corner flag and set up Summons, who again chipped just over.

Ten minutes before the break Loddon had their best chance when Hancock spread a long, square ball to Robin Andersen. He crossed for Marjoribanks to touch on to Dan Andersen, but Dan’s driven cross was deflected by the keeper just enough to put off Squire, who headed wide.

Dan Andersen followed this with another testing cross which the keeper again touched over.

With Loddon on top at this stage, Mattishall broke right, squared to the edge of the box and the forward, not closed down, gave Robinson no chance. Half-time score: 1-0.

Mattishall come out for the second half in more determined mood and Loddon, looking a bit down, struggled to hold onto the ball.

Greenhalf came on for Sadler in an attempt to pick things up, but within seconds a speculative cross/shot from way out dipped under the bar out of Robinson’s reach to put Mattishall two up.

Squire then had a shot from 18 yards, wide of the mark, but Mattishall from a corner had a free header for 3-0.

To Loddon’s credit, they showed great character and put up a good fight. They survived a couple of home shots before Squire was replaced by John Riches, making his first appearance.

His first touch won a free-kick, which Robin Andersen took. Baylis was pulled down in the box, the ball ended up in the net, but a penalty had been awarded, which Marjoribanks despatched to give Loddon a lifeline.

With five minutes to go, Summons played a neat one-two with Marjoribanks and was caught late.

The referee played good advantage, Marjoribanks’ pin-point cross found Riches, who was foiled by a good block from the keeper. A foul on Summons was punished with a second yellow and marching orders for Mattishall’s number five.

Greenhalf sent Dan Andersen away down the left, but he delayed his cross and a great last chance was wasted.

A good display again from Marjoribanks, leading by example, Robinson cannot be blamed for any of the goals, and Summons showed a few touches, but Parkin edged it for Musker McIntyre MoM.

Loddon United Res 2, Blofield Res 1

LODDON Reserves started the better when Steven Wise got in an early header which the Blofield keeper caught just under the crossbar.

Alex Brown got past his marker only for his shot to go wide.

Home keeper Robbie Howes was quick to make a one-handed save, but with the ball rolling towards goal Shaun Jermy raced back to kick the ball off the line.

On 15 minutes Loddon went ahead when Daniel Robinson raced through and fired past the keeper. Three minutes later the visitors pulled level from close range.

Howes was at his best when diving to stop a deflection from going in. Loddon’s Phil Collins went close with a powerful shot and soon after Collins raced back to clear the ball off the Loddon goal-line.

Wise went close when beating two defenders before shooting at a post.

The hosts picked up three points thanks to a winning goal from Robinson.