Late leveller earns valuable point

Will Wingfield’s last-gasp equaliser earned a draw with title challengers Wroxham.

On a weekend that saw all of the bottom six clubs pick up points, it was a valuable late goal for the Villagers.

A minute’s observance was held before the start of the match, in empathy with the people of Ukraine.

Melford lined up without Jacob Brown, George Day and David Lopez who were all missing through injury, plus the Waugh brothers who were unavailable.

On the positive side Ben Judge made a welcome return after his brief spell with Cornard United.

The visitors had most of the ball for much of the match, but the tenacity of the Melford team put the Wroxham flowing game into limbo, particularly in the first period.

For Melford, keeper Matt Walker performed some miracle saves and without doubt his performance was the best on the pitch.

The Norfolk team always provided a threat going forward, with leading scorer Ryan Miles and Ryan Curtis particularly outstanding.

The home team for sure were not happy at some of the decisions made by the officials, endorsed by the spectators which seemed at odds with reality.

The Villagers went ahead after 18 minutes when a Kyle Hurley delivery was headed home with great force by the high leaping SAM MILLS, a goal of great quality and his first for the club.

That spurred Wroxham into greater things with Walker blocking a Matt Hayden effort when through on goal, shortly after that the keeper ran out his area to head clear when Miles was through on goal, and again Walker came to the aid of Melford with a flying save from a Wroxham header.

The Wroxham performance improved over the second period and on 56 minutes the game took a dramatic turn of events.

A last ditch challenge by Dan Smith the Melford full back, was according to the referee, a foul and a penalty awarded. The Melford management and players were furious, as in the build up it appeared a Wroxham player was well offside, compounded that it was thought the penalty challenge was a fair one.

Despite the protests MATT HAYDEN converted to put Wroxham level.

The protests continued from Melford and Hassan Ally was sinbinned for ten minutes by the referee. Down to ten men and concentration lost, Melford were punished almost immediately when RYAN MILES ran twenty yards unchallenged to fire home from 15 yards.

Shortly after this Hayden had the ball in the Melford net but it was quickly ruled out for offside.

Then two magnificent saves from Walker, to keep his team in the match.

There was controversy at the other end of the pitch. Making progress down the Melford left flank Ally cut into the Wroxham box and was scythed down, instead of the penalty, which was the obvious decision to all but the referee, much to the wrath of Long Melford the referee awarded a corner.

In the 89^th minute Melford got their justice, Jamie Griffiths was poleaxed in the penalty area, and this time the referee awarded a penalty.

Despite the protestations from Wroxham lasting for several minutes, WILL WINGFIELD kept his cool and stepped up to score sending Wroxham keeper Ollie Sutton diving to the wrong post.

To most it was a very just result against a team aiming to top the League. CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Walker, Wingfield, Smith, Emsden, Mills, Jackson, Ally, Judge, Griffiths, Newman (76), Hurley (84)

Subs used: Hemson (76), Delaune (84) not used: Collins, Norris

Photo credit: Ambrose Photography