FA Vase exit for Villagers

Alfie Parnell (picturd centre) scored a late consolation but Baldock Town always had the edge on this game and the better team advanced to the next round.

For the opening ten minutes Melford held their own, and there was little to choose between the teams.

Baldock signalled their threat on 12 minutes when from twenty five yards Owen Robinson brought out a diving save from David Leader the Melford keeper.

Melford then went behind twice in the space of 5 minutes, through two dead ball kicks, which places a question on the Melford defensive set up.

On 23 minutes Baldock were awarded a free kick and from nearly thirty yards, joy came for the travelling fans, when CHARLIE JOY found the top corner of the net.

On 26 minutes from the Baldock right flank CHARLIE JOY curled a corner direct into the net, a good corner but poor defending by Melford.

On 35 minutes Melford  had two good chances to get a goal back, skipper Jacob Brown saw his effort hacked off the line, and the follow up by Hassan Ally was again blocked on the line.

On 60 minutes a dive by a Baldock player, in the Melford area which achieved the intended penalty for the visitors. Joy had no joy in his hat trick quest, when keeper Leader dived to save. Perhaps a bit of rough justice.

Two minutes later from a corner Baldock got their third goal, Melford failed to make any real clearance, and eventually LAWRENCE AJONG poked the ball home.

To give credit Melford looked a better team in the last third of the game with the introduction of substitutes.

And on  78 minutes from a corner ALFIE PARNELL off the subs bench found the net.

Melford piled forward for more rewards, but it was not to be, and overall Baldock were stronger and perhaps a little more streetwise. CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Leader, Smith (65), Newton, Jackson, Roy, Waugh, Ally (76), Whiting-Noakes, Brame, Brown, Wingfield (68)

Subs: Humphreys (76), Parnell (65), Newman (68)  not used: Allen, J Brown (gk), Hennessey

Photo credit: Paul Leech