Hass earns Melford valuable point

The Villagers travelled to Lakenheath for the second time this season, following February’s late postponement, needing a point to move out of the bottom two of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

It was yet again a changed side for Melford, with goalkeeper Matt Walker and defender Ross Waugh unavailable for the evening kick-off, before late call-offs due to illness and work from Jamie Griffiths, Ollie Emsden and Callum Hemson led to chances for teenage duo Ronnie Ward and Tommy Allen – his maiden first team call-up – and reserve striker Jack Delaune.

Nonetheless, the visitors started well, creating a number of half-chances that probably deserved better finishes, while Lakenheath were looking dangerous with their quick, direct play. And it was from one of those they opened the scoring.

Melford lost possession just inside home territory, and a quick ball in behind gave replacement keeper Kurt Waterfield – a former Melford defender now regularly in the sticks at Sporting 87 – a decision to make.

Coming out to intercept the ball into the box, the Lakenheath forward arrived a second quicker before being upended. A clear penalty, which was tucked away by SHAUN AVIS, to give Heath the lead.

An even game was squared up midway through the second half after chances for Hassan Ally and George Day were thwarted, and a vicious Lakenheath effort struck the post. Melford’s equaliser had a stroke of fortune, but was no more than they deserved.

A high ball was dropping down kindly for Day outside the box and he sent a powerful volley goalwards, which hit the head of teammate ALLY in close proximity and he guided his looping header over the keeper and nestling into the net.

Lakenheath had a late goal chalked off for offside, while another guilt edged header was off target, but overall a fair result between two evenly matched sides.

It was also a valuable point for the Villagers, who move out of the bottom two on goal-difference, with four games to play.

Team: Waterfield, Smith, Wingfield, Jackson, Mills, A Waugh, Ally, Judge, Day, Brown, Hurley (Delaune, 75)

Subs Not Used: Allen, Ward.