It was quite a cagey opening with neither side able to create any shot on target. Mulbarton looked good going forward but the Wroxham back line was solid in front of keeper Kingsley Barnes.
Gradually Wroxham started to get more in the game and had a really good chance on 20 minutes. A lovely cross field ball from young Tom Rampling found Tim Cary who beat his defender to home in on goal. Unfortunately his shot across goal was just the wrong side of the upright.
In the next move Wroxham gained a corner which only needed someone to stick out a boot to convert but passed beyond everyone.
They were made to pay for those misses as Mulbarton took the lead in the 26th minute. An excellent cross by Jamie Butler was neatly headed by John “Bertie” Curtis beyond Barnes’s despairing dive at the far post.
Wroxham responded and almost equalized when the ball was headed back to Jack Lincoln from a corner and his strong left foot shot flew past the post.
A defensive mistake allowed Curtis a free strike on goal after 30 minutes but his effort was just wide.
A swerving shot by David Ramsbotton on 34 minutes was brilliantly turned over by Barnes who appeared to be fouled but referee Kelly awarded a corner which was cleared.
A cross from Sam Grady brought a glancing header from Jordan Attree but it had no power and fell straight into Jake Clifford’s arms.
Mulbarton increased their lead on 40 minutes with another low cross by Butler and this time it was Dominic Doggett who said thank you as he turned the ball in with no Wroxham player near the ball.
Within a minute it was three as Mulbarton attacked again and the ball fell for James Pipe to tap in.
This was dismal defending by the Wroxham defence who were out maneuvered by a swift home side attacking at will.
HT Mulbarton Wdrs 3 Wroxham Reserves 0
The Wroxham game plan was shot to pieces and was quickly changed to a 4-4-2 at the start of the second period with Bradley Spooner and Marcus Wilkinson making way for Shaun Taylor and Matt Doyle.
This produced some more positive play by the visitors but Mulbarton continued to look dangerous on the counter attack with Pope almost converting another low cross but his shot found the side netting.
More pressure from Wroxham almost produced a response but Ollie Ebbage headed over. Then a crisp shot from Cary was turned round by Clifford. Wroxham were now getting forward in numbers and a good effort by Matt Doyle running in from the right produced a low left foot shot which was well saved by the keeper.
Wroxham made their final change with Alex Philpott replacing Lincoln as they continued to press fprward. Tim Cary had another 20 yard shot which was an easy take for Clifford but in the main Wroxham were trying to walk the ball in and failing as they got nearer the penalty area.
As the game petered out Mulbarton almost had a 4th when David Ramsbottom ran into the Wroxham area but he too shot into the side netting.
This was not the start Wroxham wanted but it was clear that Mulbarton who have had six promotions in consecutive season’s will cause problems for many Premier Division sides this season.