Melford lead twice but defeated

Given that twice The Villagers were in the lead, it was disappointing to leave Plantation Park without any rewards, a 74^th minute Norwich winner being their downfall.

The pitch was very green mainly down to 30k computerised under turf watering system installed a few weeks ago.

The home team started in frantic fashion and Melford had to be quick to resist by being at their defensive best. After the opening ten minute barrage from The Planters, the Villagers begun to get some attacking cohesion.

On 27 minutes after some excellent play between Jake Jackson and skipper Jacob Brown, which then allowed Brown to release the in-form Hassan Ally down the left flank,  his low hard cross into box, caused some panic in the home defence and eventually PERRY NEWMAN fired into the roof of the net.

The lead was short lived when on 33 minutes the referee after some deliberation awarded a penalty for an infringement in the box, which if there was a foul to some appeared to be outside the penalty area. Up stepped former Swaffham striker ALBY MATTHEWS to convert the kick.

Melford ended the half strongly forcing three corners with Jack Brame firing wide from one of them.

Again the home team came out strongly for the second period, with Jeorgy Batch forcing David Leader in the Melford goal into a diving save and the dangerous Jordan Buttle always a threat when running at the Melford defence.

However again Melford again took the lead when Brown found HASSAN ALLY with a diagonal pass from the half way line and the winger cut in to fire past ex Norwich Academy keeper Ryan Dickerson and into the corner of the net.

Within minutes Melford had a chance to increase their lead when Ally got through on goal but keeper Dickerson advanced from his line to make a fine point blank save.

The leveller came on 63 minutes when the talented JORDAN BUTTLE ran at the Melford defence, evaded three tackles and smashed the ball into the net. Excellent work by a player who only stepped up from the Anglian Combination League a few months ago, and who deservedly got the MOM award at the end of the game.

At this stage of the game some of the Melford players were visibly starting to tire after the strenuous game against Ipswich Wanderers mid week, and Norwich upped their game as a consequence.

The killer goal came on 74 minutes when again Buttle found space and time down the Norwich left flank, and his hard low cross was met by ex Grimsby Town scholar and substitute KYLE RICHARDSON who converted from close range.

The game ended with Melford defending at full stretch.

Not the result Melford wanted but another creditable performance. CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Leader, Holmes (77), Shillingford, Jackson, Roy, Collins, Ally, Parnell (63), Brame, Brown, Newman (63)

Subs used: M Williams (77), Humphreys (63), Whiting-Noakes (63)  not used: Gibbs, Fayers