NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Sam Mulready’s quick-fire brace ends Soham Town Rangers’ 16-match wait for a victory
Sam Mulready's brace fired Soham Town Rangers to their first victory since December 3 last weekend. PHOTO: Andy Burford - Credit: Archant
Donald Trump’s inauguration as 45th president of the United States of America, Ed Sheeran’s domination of the charts and Leicester City sacking title-winning boss Claudio Ranieri.
Mulready scored twice within one second-half minute to give Robbie Mason his first win as Soham boss. PHOTO: Andy Burford - Credit: Archant
These are all events that came and went during Soham Town Rangers’ 16-week wait for a Ryman Division One North victory.
But that painful wait was finally brought to an end last Saturday thanks to striker Sam Mulready’s quick-fire double over promotion-chasing Thurrock at Julius Martin Lane.
Mulready fires in Soham's leveller from the spot. PHOTO: Andy Burford - Credit: Archant
Soham boss Robbie Mason had admitted to losing sleep because of his side’s torrid league run that stretched back to December 3, but it’s almost certain that the player-manager slept soundly on Saturday night after the Greens’ much-needed victory.
The game started out as any other at Julius Martin Lane, with the away side taking an early lead courtesy of a David Cowley free-kick that sailed all the way in.
Mulready's well-taken volley followed a penalty as Soham overcame Thurrock 2-1 last Saturday. PHOTO: Andy Burford - Credit: Archant
Soham huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a way through and it seemed that the Greens were destined to finish a 17th league match on the losing side.
But Mason rallied his troops at half time and their response rocked Thurrock, with Mulready bagging his first of the afternoon on the hour from the spot after he was felled in the box.
Will Gardner slides in. PHOTO: Andy Burford - Credit: Archant
Most Read
- 1 Pedestrian struck on Ely Road in Littleport
- 2 Council bans use of agricultural land to extend garden
- 3 Mexican restaurant to open inside former Frankie & Benny's in Ely
- 4 Former Baptist chapel to be turned into four-bedroom house
- 5 Councillor hits out at 'huge intransigence' over splash pad project
- 6 Village road closing for five weeks for temporary barrier installation
- 7 ‘It’s been like this for 11 months’ - woman’s assisted refuse collection failure
- 8 Shoplifter, 33, who assaulted woman is on the run
- 9 Soham tribute to 'honest, funny, intelligent and understanding human being'
- 10 Shoplifter barred from every M&S and Sainsbury's in Cambridgeshire
And the Soham faithful only had to wait another 60 seconds until they were cheering again, with Mulready steering the ball home neatly after a long throw fell at his feet.
Thurrock threw the kitchen sink at Soham in the final moments of the game, but Mason’s men held firm to see out their first three points of 2017.
Soham’s win wasn’t enough to hoist them out of the relegation zone, but they are now level on points with 21st-placed Ware, who sit just above the drop zone by virtue of goals scored.
