MUNDFORD got their championship title tilt back on track with a vital 5-1 home win against Hempnall Reserves. They take a break from Anglian Combination action this weekend as they play in the semi-finals of the Cyril Ballyn Trophy against CEYMS.

MUNDFORD got their championship title tilt back on track with a vital 5-1 home win against Hempnall Reserves.

They take a break from Anglian Combination action this weekend as they play in the semi-finals of the Cyril Ballyn Trophy against CEYMS.

Missing several key players for the game against Hempnall Reserves, Mundford gave a first start to 16-year-old Oliver Fulcher and Gooderham returned at left back. Groves took up the all-important central midfield role alongside Molly.

Mundford had an early chance when a route one goal-kick was flicked on by Groves to send Danny Barnes away, but his attempted lob was patted away by the keeper.

Mundford were not to be denied for long, though, and their first goal was one of quality.

Passing the ball around at the back, with all four defenders involved, the Stags then worked it through to Craig Burton, who found Barnes with a precision pass, and Mundford's top scorer poked the ball home for his first of the day.

This was soon two as Maslin capped a fine performance with a poacher's goal at the far post from a corner.

Mundford have never played a poor Hempnall side, though, and this game was no exception - and although Mundford were in control, the visitors clipped the top of the bar from one free-kick and Brown turned away a stinging shot from another, given in the box for picking up a back pass.

Manager Brassett urged the players to kick on at half-time, but Hempnall also came out with renewed vigour.

Often games hinge on key moments, and within seconds of the game nearly becoming 2-1 it became 3-0; Brown parrying a shot from the edge of the box then denying the Hempnall forward following in with a close-range save, and from the resulting corner Mundford broke, Groves finding Craig Burton in the clear to lob home from the edge of the box.

Mundford did switch off again shortly after, and this time they were punished, as the Hempnall winger broke free in the box to finish coolly.

Barnes completed his hat-trick with two identical goals - picking the ball up wide before cutting in to shoot powerfully into the corner as Mundford cruised home.