Newmarket Town 3 Long Melford 0

Things can only get better for The Villagers, with some nine first team players unavailable last night through injury, holidays and Covid isolation.

However the young shadow team did the Club proud against the much fancied Jockeys.

Four young players James Dormady, Alfie Parnell, Tyrese Williams and Charlie Coy all made their first team debuts after impressing in the Under 18s/Reserves.

After 7 minutes one of the youngsters Alfie Parnell came close with a fierce shot from twenty yards out. Shortly after this Newmarket struggled to clear a George Day corner. After 11 minutes Newmarket should have gone ahead, but Joe Robinson from close range fired straight at Matt Walker in the Melford goal.

Melford then suffered yet another blow when on 13 minutes the speedy Hassan Ally limped off with a hamstring injury, to be replaced for his first team debut by teenager Tyrese Williams.

The home team took the lead after  17 minutes, keeper Walker blocked a close range shot, but LEWIS WHITEHEAD collected the loose ball to score from close range.

On 26 minutes the scoreline doubled when MICHAEL SHINN scored with a free kick from the edge of the box.

After 32 minutes Melford almost clawed a goal back, Jason Joseph played in Kyle Hurley and the Melford teenager’s shot on the run was saved at the second attempt by Alex Archer in the Newmarket goal. Shortly after a Melford corner from George Day deflected off the Newmarket goal post and went out of play.

It was a blow for the visitors when on the half time whistle LEWIS WHITEHEAD bundled the ball home from close range.

Although Newmarket had a lot of the ball in second period Melford always threatened with their speed down the flanks, but the finish was lacking.

Towards the end of the game a fierce shot from Jacob Brown brought a diving save from home keeper Archer,  pushing the ball round the post for a corner.

From the Melford perspective, taking the circumstances into account this was a very worthy and creditable performance.  CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Matthew Walker, Callum Hemson, Ben Judge, Alfie Parnell, George Day, Jake Jackson, Kyle Hurley (82), Jacob Brown (c), Jason Joseph (68), James  Dormady, Hassan Ally (13)

Subs used: Tyrese Williams (13), Charlie Coy (68), Elliott Walker (82)