Villagers stun league leaders Gorleston

This was not a fluke result, it was Melford who looked the table topping team for much of the game, with Gorleston second best on the day.

Showing tenacity, vigour, and quick movement of the ball, The Villagers – missing the injured pair of captain Jacob Brown and full-back Dan Smith – were in magnificent form, and the three valuable points were very just reward for their efforts.

It was Melford who threatened early on with three quick efforts Hassan Ally flashed his shot on the diagonal just wide, George Day was yards wide with a volley and Jamie Griffiths put his header the wrong side of the goalpost.

Straight from a Melford corner on 28 minutes Gorleston had a great chance with a quick break that left them with four attackers against two Melford defenders, but in the end delay cost them dearly and the final shot from Christy Finch was well saved by Matt Walker in the Melford goal.

Just before the half time whistle Gorleston should have done better the impressive Robbie Sweeney found space down the Gorleston left flank cut in and his shot from three yards out was cleared for a corner by the Melford defence.

Although the visitors from Norfolk improved over the second period they looked far from being title contenders, with Melford continuing to impress.

On 50 minutes Gorleston substitute Angus Mackie found time and space just outside the Melford area but blazed his shot over the crossbar.

There was a short lived moment of jubilation for Melford on 58 minutes when Day fired in a rasping drive, but many were deceived by the fact it was into the side netting.

On 77 minutes a moment of class from JAMIE GRIFFITHS after turning his defender, his shot from fifteen yards found the net giving Gorleston’s giant goalkeeper Jake Jessup no chance.

And so Melford despite some last minutes pressure from Gorleston held on for a deserved victory, and three valuable points.

The game ended with a downside for Melford, when their man from Tenerife David Lopez limped off with what appeared  to be knee ligament damage. CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Walker, Mills, Wingfield, R Waugh, A Waugh, Jackson, Lopez (88), Emsden, Ally, Griffiths, Day (85)

Subs: Hurley (85), Hemson (88)  not used: Gooderham, Chisholm

• Not a good news day on the injury front for Melford. Best wishes to David Lopez, plus the Reserves game at Cornard was abandoned  after 7 minutes when  the Melford goal machine starlet James Dormady was taken to hospital with a suspected double fracture of the leg. Very best wishes from all at LMFC to James for a speedy recovery.