This seems to be a derivation of question that I've seen quite a bit in my quest. Here it is: I'm trying to use the mysql MATCH function to identify the best matching names between two lists stored in two fields in two tables. I think this can be done, but my logic engine is failing me. The FULLTEXT index should be on the NAME fields.

master table
ID1, NAME1
1, mike the great
2, great peter the banana
3, john who shall go unamed
4, jim the stick in the woods

match table
ID2, NAME2
1, peter great
2, mike great
3, john unamed

desired result table
ID3, ID1, NAME2_BEST, SCORE
1, 1, mike great, 0.984
2, 2, peter great, 0.876
3, 3, john unamed, 0.735
4, 4, NULL

Can anyone suggest an approach here?