Late goals end Melford’s hopes

Two stoppage time goals gave the scoreline an exaggerated look in Long Melford’s last home match before Christmas.

Minus four regulars through injury, weddings etc, it was a hammer blow for Manager Dave Hennessey when just before the game central defender Deklyn Roy and his central partner Josh Collins had to call off due to family emergencies.

So with an already depleted team, Melford started the game with very much an ad hoc line up.

Although Harleston enjoyed much of the possession the young Melford team fought like tigers, and up to the last minute of the game looked like ending up with a draw.

On 40 minutes Nathan Stone took out Melford full back Ollie Judge with a dreadful challenge, it looked as though a red card was inevitable, the concussed Judge left the field to take no further part in the game (and was replaced by Greg Birch) with Stone the fortunate recipient of a yellow card.

On the half time whistle the visitors thought they had scored but the ball was cleared off the line.

It had been a great first half performance by the disjointed Melford team and it was not until 63 minutes that Harleston took the lead. A debatable free kick was awarded by the referee on the edge of the Melford area, and from this cross the ball was headed back across the Melford box and NATHAN STONE stabbed the ball home from close range.

It was now Melford for first time showing attacking prowess and only a great diving save by Elliot Pride prevented the Melford equaliser.

Then  in the 91^st minute ROB TURNER turned the ball home for the second goal and right on time JOSH DURHAM completed the scoring from close range.

Plenty of Harleston domination ending in an exaggerated score line. CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Walker, Akinade, Ally, Brennan, Jackson, Santi Davies, Jarrett, B Judge, O Judge, Whiting Noakes, Wingfield

Subs used; Birch, Humphreys