Matty keeps Hall flying

MILDENHALL manager Trevor Munns heaped unreserved praise on his players after two second-half goals earned them a crucial victory in this typical blood-and-thunder derby. Saturday s win ensures Mildenhall maintain their seven-point lead at the top of th

MILDENHALL manager Trevor Munns heaped "unreserved praise" on his players after two second-half goals earned them a crucial victory in this typical blood-and-thunder derby.

Saturday's win ensures Mildenhall maintain their seven-point lead at the top of the table, while Soham dropped one place to fourth.

The game was played at a ferocious pace with both teams adopting a physical approach.

Lawrence Church, making his debut for the home side in central midfield, had the first opportunity but his low drive was well held by Dean Greygoose.

Rangers' striker Charles Libam then had an opportunity to score against his former club but shot well wide.

Soham were rescued by Andy Coleman in the 15th minute, who cleared Neal Docking's header off the line, after a Lewis Blois corner.

Soham's influential midfielder Michael Simpson then squandered the best chance of the opening half when he raced on to a flick-on, but Ben Nower stood up well to save from a one-on-one situation.

The Soham defence had to withstand an onslaught in the closing minutes of the first half, but they stuck to the task well.

Paul Miles gave a clear sign of the home side's intent early in the second half when his stunning 25-yard drive flew just wide, as a much stronger and fitter Mildenhall side went on to dictate the pace of the game.

The home side took the lead just after the hour-mark when, after a quick run and cross from Marcus Hering on the right, Matty Clements' shot deflected in off Coleman.

The visitors had an excellent shout for a penalty in the 70th minute when Andy Furnell's shot appeared to strike Andy Eady's hand, but the appeals were waved away.

Soham tried to play their way back into the match but Mildenhall's centre-half pairing of Eady and Ian Salt did a tremendous job of ensuring the visitor's strike pairing of Furnell and Libam were starved of possession.

Substitute Craig Hammond sealed the win in the final minutes with a strong finish following a quick break.

Munns said: "It's very rare for me to give my team unreserved praise, but every one of them was superb. In all the time I've been at Mildenhall we've struggled against Soham, they've been in very good form and I believe they will be near the top by the end of the season. It's too early to get carried away about our league position but this was a very important win for us."

# Mildenhall's next match is at home against Kirkley on Saturday.

# Soham host Woodbridge on Saturday and visit Diss Town on Tuesday.