Cup hopes ended at Kirkley

The Villagers were eliminated from the Suffolk Premier Cup after Kirkley & Pakefield come from behind to win 3-1 at Walmer Road.

It was always going to be a tough ask for Long Melford, a Tuesday night away at Kirkley – their third visit there this season – with an under strength side, but those who did travel almost caused an unlikely upset.

Following Saturday’s win over top of the table Gorleston, a number of the side were rested having picked up injuries, while David Lopez looks to be a longer-term absentee.

Nonetheless, manager Jamie Bradbury gave three players their first starts of the season, there was a second appearance for Kalum Benham in defence, while Ben Humphreys made his debut from the bench. And it was the visitors who took the lead.

George Day’s in swinging corner from the right was difficult to deal with and was diverted into his own net by a defender, looping over the keeper with 15 minutes played.

There were chances at both ends with Kirkley controlling more of the ball, but Melford still managed to carve out chances through Day and Hassan Ally, while Sam Mills saw a point-blank effort saved well by keeper Jordan Smith.

At the other end, the defence were holding firm, with Matt Walker repelling anything that came his way. However, with four minutes left in the first half, a Kirkley through ball found Joel Wilson breaking into the box to tuck home. The away side were miffed that it wasn’t given offside, but the linesman’s flag didn’t go up.

It was much of the same in the second half, with Kirkley having control of possession, but the Villagers were still a threat. And it could have been them who got their noses back in front when substitute Humphreys fed Ally through one of one. The Melford winger struck well, beating the keeper, but the effort was just off target.

They were made to pay, though, when the impressive Miguel Lopez flicked a header home to give Kirkley the lead with 15 minutes left.

Josh Norris, in his first start if the season, made a superb last ditch challenge to clear from the line to stop the Royals extending their lead, but as the Villagers tired on the massive Kirkley pitch, the home side were able to freshen up with subs.

It was one of those replacements, Louis Tillet, who tucked home from a Lopez pull-back to seal the win with seven minutes on the clock and put the Royals into the quarter finals of the Suffolk Premier Cup.

A sterling performance from the Villagers in what was always going to be a tricky tie – the fourth of five against Kirkley this season with one more meeting to come in April, but plenty of positives for the management as they look to a return to league action on Saturday away at Lakenheath.

Team: Matt Walker, Josh Norris, Sam Mills, Elliot Walker (Ben Humphreys, 60), Kalum Benham, Ant Waugh, Hassan Ally, Ollie Emsden, Jack Delaune, Will Wingfield, George Day.

Subs not used: Jamie Bradbury, Steve Chisholm, Rob Fayers.