MATTISHALL travelled to Norwich to play Athletic and lost as many efforts hit the woodwork..
On a very reasonable playing surface, especially after all the previous day's rain, both teams adapted well in the early exchanges.
Play was confined to the engine rooms of the midfield players as whatever got further than this was easily contained by both keepers and the defending players.
Mattishall were playing well but lacked that bite in the front ranks as shots on goal were restricted. In one attack a well-struck shot looked to be going into the net only for the woodwork to come to Sprowston's rescue.
Then almost immediately the home team latched onto a defensive mistake to see the ball eventually roll slowly into the net.
A similar attack saw the home team's woodwork rattled again, and seconds later a penalty was awarded to Athletic as the ball struck a defender's hand. This was gratefully converted for the hosts to double their tally for a comfortable half-time lead.
Mattishall came out with all guns blazing in the second half, but those goalposts and bar came to Sprowston's rescue five more times as everything thrown at them seemed magnetised to the wood!
With 20 minutes to go, Mattishall lost defender Gary Starling, who was taken to hospital with a nasty head wound. The club wishes him a speedy recovery.
As the play continued a home player was dismissed, then five minutes later a Mattishall player saw the same colour as both teams finished the match with 10 players.
Mattishall could only reflect on what could have been.
Mattishall on Saturday are home to Beccles Town, ko 2pm, meet 1.
Mattishall Reserves' match against Caister Reserves was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. They next play Sprowston Athletic Reserves away, ko 2pm, meet 12.30.
Mattishall YCOB are away to Prince of Denmark FC, ko 10.30am, meet 9.15.