Heavy home defeat

Long Melford can have no complaints over this defeat to Soham Town Rangers.

On the day they were beaten by a better side, who ran well, passed well and had the ability to clinically finish.

The visitors went ahead after three minutes a weak clearance found LEWIS JACKAMAN on the edge of the Melford area, and he got on top of a difficult bounce to fire home.

On 6 minutes Soham doubled their lead when after a strike hit the Melford bar the experienced, RYAN  SHARMAN got in on the Melford defence to score from close range.

At the other end a Ryan Gibbs free kick saw keeper Finley Iron fumble the ball, but it was cleared quickly by the Soham defence.

On  38 minutes Soham made it three a delightful cross from Jackaman found RYAN SHARMAN at the far post and he fired home from close range.

At the start of the second half Melford made substitutions and the performance level greatly increased.

On 72 minutes after a period of attacking Melford got a goal back.

A free kick from the left flank caused confusion in the Soham defence, and MAKHI JOHNSON-REID opened his account for the  Club.

With their quick break tactics Soham went further ahead after 81 minutes when ex Melford player JACK BRAME converted at the far post.

On  94 minutes the scoring was completed when the pace of ex Kings Lynn youngster JUNIOR VARELA took him clear of the Melford defence to score a fine goal.

LONG MELFORD: J. Smith, O Judge, D Smith, Johnson-Reid, Roy, Jackson, Thorp, Mwanza, R Gibbs, Brown (capt), Humphreys.

SUBS: Lazar, Akinade, Vine, Wingfield, Fenton-Jones

Photo credit: Hannah Parnell (Parnell Photo)