NFU Mutal 1-0 El Salmon.

 - A first half penalty from midfielder Tom Hudson was enough to secure the three points (Pictured). -

NFUM Returned to winning ways last night with a 1-0 over El Salmon.

The Mutual made several changes to the team that lost to second place Clifton FC last week, with Tristan Fayers, Neil Sanderson and Tom Hudson returning to the side and Adam White making his first appearance in over 6 months.  Sam Outing covered for the absent Dave Roberts at the back, with Tom Toulson, Mark Brooks and Adrian Campion being the only others to make consecutive appearances.

NFU started brightly, and managed to keep possesion in the opening minutes of the game, with Tristan, Sam and 'Brooksie' rarely troubled by the opposition attack.  Tom.T and Adrian linked up well early on to set Mark Brooks up on the left, but the Marouanne Fellaini double could only blast wide.  Adrian immediately received the ball from the goalkeepers throw out, and beat three men before scuffing a shot into the goalies arms.

Attacking duo Neil and Adam came on half way into the first half, and continued to link up well, as they had in previous seasons.  The impact was almost instant, as Adam was obstructed whilst trying to get his shot away by the last defender - unfortunately for said defender, he was 2 feet in his own area, and a penalty was awarded without hesitation.  Normal penalty taker Neil let Tom.H have the penalty after the midfielder's pre-match prediction that "tonight was his night for a goal".....    He wasn't wrong as he cooly placed the penalty to the 'keepers right.

The game soon became a scrappy affair, with El Salmon continuously breaking up play with some often cynical challenges.  In one of the less fluent second halves of football that NERO will ever play only two chance of note were created, Neil blasting over after good build up from a corner, and Tom.T failing to connect properly with a well picked out through ball.  A late El Salmon rally was fruitless as NFUM held on for all three points, which moves them up to 3rd in the league with a game in hand.

Man of the Match: The quiz master after the game at the Flag & Whistle who's question 13 was "Which Scottish club play at Tynecastle Park".