Entertaining draw at soggy Stoneylands

In difficult conditions with a very wet playing surface, both teams produced an entertaining game, eventually sharing the points tally.

In the opening minute Melford showed their intentions with George Day playing in Jacob Brown who flashed his shot narrowly wide.

Straight from an Ely corner and after 7 minutes, Melford attacked the Ely goal, shots from Jamie Griffiths and Brown were blocked by the Ely defence. Eventually the ball found KYLE HURLEY in a right flank position and he cut in and rifled into the net on the angle giving Harry Reynolds in the Ely goal no chance, to score his first Thurlow Nunn Premier goal.

Both ends then yielded chances, with Ely coming close through Luke Young and central defender Tom Williams.

Just as the Villagers looked to be taking their lead into half time whistle, on 42 minutes Ely struck,  and with  Melford lapsing into a tackle shy mode, RYAN GIBBS was allowed to run the width of the Melford box, and from 20 yards casually sidefoot into the Melford net.

The second half started brightly for Melford on 48 minutes GEORGE DAY scored a peach of a goal, his 25 yard curling low shot finding space inside the post and into the net.

On 59 minutes Ely levelled the scores an excellent ball from defence released  JORDAN FOSTER who made twenty yards and neatly placed the ball beyond Matt Walker the Melford keeper.

Melford introduced new signing Ollie Emsden an experienced midfielder previously with Saffron Walden, Histon and Witham amongst other clubs, while James Dormady and Alfie Parnell also later came on from the bench.

From that point the game saw near chances at both ends, but the final score giving a share of the points to both teams. CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Matt Walker, Dan Smith, Will Wingfield, Anthony Waugh, Sam Mills, Jake Jackson, Hassan Ally (66), Jacob Brown,  George Day (83), Jamie Griffiths, Kyle Hurley (75)

Subs: Alfie Parnell (83), James Dormady (75), Ollie Emsden (66) not used: Hugo Hertz

Photo credit; Ambrose Photography