Askew saves penalty in goalless draw

James Askew saved a penalty on his debut as the Villagers picked up a hard-earned point at Thetford Town.

The Villagers started this game with four players absent from last week’s team. Defenders Will Wingfield and Sam Mills were missing due to injury, as was the livewire winger Hassan Ally with an ankle injury.

Keeper Matt Walker was also sidelined by injury so manager Jamie Bradbury brought in on loan from AFC Sudbury young keeper James Askew for a debut. James played against Melford in the 1-1 draw with Brantham last month.

The game started in a scrappy manner and the quality did not improve a great deal over the full ninety minutes.

After five minutes disaster struck for Melford and for the debut making keeper, coming off his line Askew dived to save at the feet of an onrushing Elliot Smith, who took a tumble. As you would expect around the ground there were diverse opinions on the award of the penalty. Many thought it was not a penalty, whilst others thought it was a perfect decision by the referee.

Up stepped the experienced Ryan Fuller, who fired hard and low towards the net, but keeper Askew dived to his right hand side to save the kick. A magnificent save and a great experience for your first game!

Straight away Melford responded and Jamie Griffiths was only inches wide with a volley just wide of the home goal and custodian Macauley Rodgers, who ironically played a few games for Melford’s reserve team a season or so earlier.

The game although played with great gusto and endeavour by both teams lacked in any real football finesse.

Chances came at both ends George Day and Perry Newman both through on goal for Melford only to see their efforts blocked. For Thetford they were guided and prompted by the skilful Marley Delgado in midfield,  whilst their danger man was the speedy and tricky wideman  Joao Varella, who provided crosses for Fuller and  Kristian Dixon who both failed in finding the target.

The second half replicated the first period with the nearest to a goal seeing goal line clearances at both ends.

The best effort of the half was Sam Bond’s shot which required a fine save from Melford keeper Askew to keep the scores level.

During the final stages there were strong shouts for a penalty at both ends. Firstly Callum Hemson appeared to be tripped in the Thetford penalty area, which brought no response from the referee.

Whilst five minutes before the end of the game Thetford’s Michael Campbell went down in the box. Initially the referee ignored the penalty appeals, but after consulting with his assistant he pointed to the spot. However he then changed his mind and awarded a corner.

Over these several minutes of deliberation, the noise level from home supporters increased one hundred per cent, but to no avail as a goalless draw was all it was going to be.  CHENOBERET

WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS HERE 

LONG MELFORD: James Askew, Dan Smith, Ben Judge, David Lopez, Ross Waugh, Jake Jackson, Perry Newman (63), Jacob Brown,  Jamie Griffiths, David Lorimer, George Day (75)

Subs used: Alfie Parnell (75), Callum Hemson (63)  not used: Ben Gooderham, Jamie Bradbury, Steve Chisholm