Melford pegged back after Griffiths’ goal

Jamie Griffiths scored a fine individual goal today but Hadleigh deservedly got back on level terms.

Having been heavily defeated 5-0 by Melford earlier in the season at Hadleigh, the Brettsiders turned up and gave Melford a very hard game, and were perhaps a little unlucky not to take all the points.

The speed and enterprise of the Hadleigh widemen, Mason Ransome and James Ross always posed a threat to Melford and only some stoic defending by Melford keeper Matt Walker and the Melford central defenders kept the game within reach of the Villagers.

At times the game was played at a frenetic pace, which impacted on the quality of the football and the two beaming highlights of the game were the two goals that were scored.

Melford went ahead on fifteen minutes a free kick from the Melford half from Ross Waugh found the feet of JAMIE GRIFFITHS, who flicked the ball over the head of his marker, and from fully thirty yards his low drive left Hadleigh keeper Ben Mayhew floundering and found the net, a goal of great quality.

The equaliser on 39 minutes was also a good goal, a well flighted Hadleigh corner saw the unmarked JAKE EADY head with great force into the Melford net.

Outside these time markers, Matt Walker the Melford keeper made a fine save from Kyle Cassell, followed by a fine block from  Melford central defender Ross Waugh.

The Villagers also had chances with a free kick from Griffiths being saved at the second attempt by keeper Mayhew. And a header from Will Wingfield striking the Hadleigh upright.

The visitors started the second half in supercharged mode and Melford were forced onto their defensive duties. The best chance of the half fell to Kade Ivatt, but his shot was saved point blank by Walker the Melford custodian.

Whilst at the other end  the ball ping ponged around the Hadleigh  penalty area and it seemed that Hassan Ally had forced the ball in, but it was cleared off the line by a Hadleigh defender, no VAR  here to confirm one way or the other!

And so the game ended, not the greatest spectacle for the crowd of 135. Hadleigh will be pleased with their spirited effort whilst Melford are searching for more cohesion at the moment.  CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Matt Walker, Dan Smith, Will Wingfield, Jake Jackson, Sam Mills, Ross Waugh, Hassan Ally (76), Ben Judge, Jacob Brown, Jamie Griffiths, Perry Newman (69)

Subs used: David Lopez (69), George Day (76) not used: Callum Hemson, James Dormady, Alfie Parnell

To view action photos from today’s match visit Ambrose Photography