Narrow defeat for Villagers at Norwich

Jacob Brown was on target as The Villagers suffered a narrow defeat away at high-flying Norwich United, but will be pleased by their performance in Norfolk.

In an evenly-match contest, mother side could find the early breakthrough, although Norwich could have opened the scoring but fail to find the net from six yards out.

Melford also had their chances, through Griffiths and Brown, but a goal was proving elusive.

The pitch played a small part in the first two goals when they did arrive, however.

After another high ball forward from the home side just before half time, an aerial challenge 30 yards out saw the ball drop to JORDAN FORBES in space. He carried forward and stroked towards the corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Matt Walker was down low to try to repel, but a bobble took the ball over his reach and the home side were in front.

After the break, Melford came out with added spark and some excellent passing football created a series of openings down the left hand side, but no one was on hand to convert.

That was until the hour mark when a shot forced a same from the Norwich keeper Ryan Dickerson. The ball fell to JACOB BROWN but in a crowded Norwich box with his back to goal he had to find wriggle room to turn and send a low shot goal bound. Once again, the bobble outfoxed the keeper and the ball bounced over Dickerson’s body to level matters.

With their tails up, Melford went in search of a winner. Dan Smith coming close with a shot off the bar, while at the other end, Norwich carved out some useful opportunities themselves that could have seen them take charge, but Walker was equal to them, making a couple of fine saves.

However, when the next goal did arrive, it came for Norwich. As Melford look looked to launch another attach, Ross Waugh carried the ball forward to the halfway line but as he went to play his pass, slipped on the lose turf allowing time for the Norwich forward to close down and block the pass.

A quick one-two released FORBES down the left, and as he approached the box, cut in to bend the ball into the top corner.

The visitors didn’t sit back, though, and kept going for the leveller. Substitute James Dormady almost found a way through but fine defending prevented his shot from hitting the target.

Jamie Griffiths also saw a free-kick bounce agonisingly wide of the post, and in the last seconds, and ball into the box with everyone forward produced a melee on the goal line, which somehow stayed out.

Norwich held on for a hard-earned win in what was a physical but even and fair contest, with neither side picking up a booking.