Skipper strikes in hard fought draw

Long Melford captain Jacob Brown scored the equaliser tonight to cancel out Brantham’s early opener.

The Stoneylands pitch looked immaculate under the lights and there was a sizeable crowd in attendance.

In the Brantham line-up was Nathan Rowe who played nearly 250 matches for Melford and was part of the team that won the First Division and League Cup. It always adds a little extra spice when a long-serving former player returns to his old stomping ground.

It was Rowe who instigated Brantham’s goal in the 3rd minute. His diagonal ball set up an attack down the left, a low cross wasn’t dealt with by the Melford defence and KIERAN LAWLER slotted the ball past home keeper Matt Walker.

After the early setback Melford gradually improved and after a spell of pressure deservedly equalised in the 32nd minute.

Skipper JACOB BROWN twisted and turned on the edge of the box before unleashing a left foot piledriver into the top corner, giving Brantham keeper James Askew no chance.

In the second half the match could have gone either way.

The best chance fell to Brantham around the hour mark, when Rowe crossed from the right, putting the ball on a plate for a Brantham forward who fired over the bar from close range. On a couple of other occasions Matt Walker made important saves to deny the visitors.

Melford also had their own near misses and spells of pressure, including a flurry of corners and a decent penalty shout turned down.

On another night either team could have snatched a late winner, but it ended all square and the two sides stay level on 15 points. AC

LONG MELFORD: Matt Walker, Sam Mills, Will Wingfield, Jake Jackson, Ross Waugh, Anthony Waugh, Hassan Ally, Jacob Brown (c), Jamie Griffiths, David Lopez, Ben Judge

Subs used: James Dormady (for Lopez, 65), Callum Hemson (for Ally, 79)

Subs not used: Dan Smith, Kyle Hurley

Goal: Jacob Brown (32)