Hard fought three points

Captain Jacob Brown’s late winner secured Long Melford’s seventh win of the season.

With David Hennessey’s side looking to get back to winning ways, a new look Haverhill team under recently appointed manager Mark Benterman proved to be a hard nut to crack.

The home team had plenty of ball possession in the first period but failed to capitalise on many good openings.

Early in the game a cross from Hasan Ally ran almost alongside the goal line but no Melford player could convert.

Twice Haverhill keeper Frank Gammon saved the bacon for Haverhill with double saves from Ben Judge and the lively Ryan Gibbs.

Although Melford were in control Haverhill always looked dangerous on the break with Ryan Weaver and the experienced Joe Gregory pulling the strings.

Again keeper Gammon was the Haverhill saviour with a fine save from a Judge blockbuster from five yards.

Five minutes before the interval Haverhill should have scored but Weaver cleared the Melford bar from four yards out.

On 44 minutes Melford were caught out of defensive positions and a great pass from Weaver put in JOE GREGORY who cut in from the right flank, and his shot passed under Max Boulter in the Melford goal to find the net.

The second half started much the same as the first, but was changed on 51 minutes when the experienced Rokas Janilionis was sent off resulting from receipt of his second yellow card of the game.

The Villagers drew level on 58 minutes when a Judge cross was not cleared and from the loose ball RYAN GIBBS fired home his first goal for Melford.

Still Haverhill threatened on the break, but were thankful for two more top class saves from their keeper Gammon, to keep them in the game.

The winning goal came on 75 minutes for Melford, a Judge header from a dangerous Harry Whiting-Noakes corner, saw keeper Gammon parry the ball away, only for Melford skipper JACOB BROWN, to force the ball home from the angle.

On 82 minutes Haverhill almost levelled when a cross come shot from Samba Badjana, was only inches wide.

Deep into injury time the impressive Gammon made another excellent save and for the sixth time this season Melford ended 2-1 winners.

LONG MELFORD: Max Boulter, Charlie Holmes, Sam Newton, Jake Jackson, Ross Waugh, Josh Collins, Hassan Ally, Lewis Brennan,  Ryan Gibbs, Jacob Brown ©, Ben Judge

Subs used: Harry Whiting-Noakes, Ben Humphreys, Frederico Dende  not used: Will Wingfield, Jordan Gibbs