Seven goal spiller!

Not the start that home manager David Hennessey would have liked, to go two goals to the good and then lose the game to a late Sheringham fourth goal.

Overall there were plenty of positives to take from the performance with the new signings impressive, but there will be a defensive inquest after conceding some very avoidable goals.

In the opening minutes Sheringham threatened with man of the match supercharged Jaden Snelling a constant threat to the Melford defence.

The home team went ahead on  12 minutes a Deklyn Roy header was handled in the box, and up stepped CLARENCE EMEH on his debut to find the net from the spot.

Things got better for Melford after 14 minutes when a Fred Dende cross was headed home by JOSH COLLINS.

At this stage Melford looked well in control, but Sheringham came back strongly.

On 24 minutes Melford conceded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, and JAMES WILSON slotted home, beating keeper David Leader all ends up.

On 28 minutes without VAR of course a debatable penalty was awarded to Sheringham, and JAMES WILSON doubled his tally.

On 48 minutes in the second period Sheringham took the lead, JADEN SNELLING tricked his way past two defenders, and somehow his shot from an acute angle found the net.

Play moved to the other end and a Sheringham defender fouled Jake Jackson in the box, and CLARENCE EMEH fired home from the spot.

Melford came close to scoring the winner with Dende hitting the bar, and a great overhead kick from Jacob Brown, seeing a fantastic save by Sheringham keeper Denham Oliver. Harry Brown also burst through on goal but again Denham saved well.

On 76 minutes Melford conceded another free kick on the edge of the penalty area and this time LAGSHAN SIVAKUMAR found the net to Sheringham back in front.

Melford doubled their efforts to find an equaliser and forced a flurry of late corners but despite the Melford pressure, Sheringham defended well to take all the points.

Some fairly obvious lessons for Melford to learn from this defeat. Do not give away silly free kicks, sharpen the passing out of defence to avoid conceding possession and learn how to defend free kicks properly.    CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: David Leader, Oli Judge, Jake Cobbold, Josh Collins, Deklyn Roy, Jake Jackson, Harry Whiting-Noakes, Jacob Brown, Harry Brown, Clarence Emeh, Fred Dende

Subs all used: Charlie Coy, Greg Birch, Lewis Brennan, Hassan Ally, Ben Humphreys

Photo credit: Benie Davies (head over to our social media pages to see more of Benie’s excellent photos of yesterday’s match).