Downed by Downham

Freddie Pheby scored his first goal for the club but it was an otherwise disappointing day for Long Melford.

Long Melford U8s were mascots for the day (pictured), training on the pitch and walking out with the 1st Team. We hope they enjoyed their afternoon, apart from the result of course!

The Villagers were hoping for some progression in the FA Cup, a competition they have had reasonable success over the years, but it was not to be.

In the first minute of the game Downham showed their intent, ex Cambridge City striker Dylan Edge, forced his way into the Melford box and his shot hit the Melford post and went out of play. The visitors piled on he pressure and for the opening twenty minutes it was Melford in total defensive mode.

It was no surprise when on 16 minutes Downham took the lead when from a corner Melford failed to clear and the experienced EOIN McQUAID netted from close range.

After the opening relentless barrage Melford gradually got their game together and they levelled after 38 minutes.

A great ball from Jacob Brown into the path of striker Ryan Gibbs,  saw the striker take the ball to the left hand byline and his unselfish and perfect pass into the box found  FREDDIE PHEBY who slotted the ball home.

Straight from the half time kick off Downham restored their attacking mantra, and on 49 minutes regained their lead, a thirty yard shot from,  DYLAN EDGE, caught keeper Matt Walker unsighted and the ball found the Melford net.

The misery for Melford was compounded when on 55 minutes LAGSHAN SIVAKUMAR outpaced his markers and fired home from the angle.

To the credit of Melford they tried hard to fight back  and  in the last 15 minutes their pressure started to have an impact and twice from corners goal bound efforts were cleared off the line by the Downham defence.

As Melford pushed forward, they were caught in the dying minutes by the twin pace of  Sivakumar and  De Rocha,  which ended with  GELSON De ROCHA back heeling into the Melford net.

A deserved, if slightly flattering, winning scoreline for Downham, and for Melford disappointment, but still with the will to weld their new team into a game winning outfit, watch this space!  CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Walker,  O Judge, Branson, Whiting-Noakes, Lazar,  Seymour, Ayiteyeio, Pheby, R Gibbs, Brown(capt), B Judge

SUBS USED: Roy, Jackson, O Byrne, Vine, Chance    not used: Birch