
As the mist rolled in on the Abode Arena, so did a record crowd, with plenty of talk and excitement ahead of the Second Qualifying Round tie, following the FA's order to replay the match in full after a controversial misapplication of the Laws of the Game in the original clash, ten days ago at Ashton's.
Despite having the backing of the majority of the record attendance (806) at Mulbarton, it was The Woods who began the evening on the front foot, and would eventually kick themselves for failing to capitalise on their first-half domination. Marko Protic and Jibran Ahmed both saw efforts tipped over the bar, before Williams Danquah and Normand Kebi forced further top-drawer stops from the hosts' number one.
As would have been expected, Wanderers came out for the second half fired up with a point to prove in front of a record backing, and the tables turned as they began the second half on top. Ashlee Jones was called into action for the first time on the hour mark, making a comfortable save, and just two minutes later, Mike Agboola's knockdown was deflected onto the crossbar as The Woods came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, in what had otherwise been a cagey affair.
Mulbarton's early second-half pressure eventually paid off, with Ashley Jarvis driving through one-on-one and slotting past Jones to send the Abode Arena into delirium, less than three minutes after we came within inches of taking the lead. Danny Self and Ben Thompson's side used their one-goal advantage as a platform to push on, and as we searched for an equaliser, it led to punishment on the counter-attack. Jarvis was involved in the thick of it again, firing an effort at Jones, which he failed to keep out, doubling their lead to seal victory.
Starting XI: Jones (GK); Kirwan-Meade, Agboola, Hastings, Martins (Sergio - 86'); Danquah (Anderson - 64'), Owusu (C (Scott - 73')), Kebi; Ofori, Protic, Ahmed.
Unused substitutes: Kot, Lawal, Ayvaz