Home defeat to Ely City

Ben Humphreys gave Long Melford an early lead but going down to 10 men was a key turning point.

The scoreline was a trifle flattering for Ely City, who still have ambitions for promotion and were very well supported at the game.

The opening 25 minutes saw Melford well in control with Ely perhaps expecting an easy game and being surprised by the ability of the home team, with Ben Humphreys and Caden Vine testing out visiting keeper Tyler Key.

It was no surprise when Melford took the lead on 16 minutes when Will Thorp released Caden Vine and his cross was converted at the far post by BEN HUMPHREYS.

The visiting supporters were getting restless to extent of accusing the official in showing bias in his decisions towards Melford. They were able to calm down when on 29 minutes in their first real attack Ely equalised when Alex Kerr ran unchallenged down the Ely right flank and his low cross was converted by ALEX THEOBOLD at the far post.

The pivotal point of the game came on 36 minutes when in a crowded Melford penalty area Ryan Gibbs and Louis Jenkins tangled and fell to the round. The referee awarded an Ely corner as an immediate decision. The referee was then surrounded by a posse of protesting Ely players, and he duly deliberated, and as a result issued a red card to ex Ely City player Ryan Gibbs (two yellow cards and his first sending off in a long career) and then changed his original decision to a penalty.

The kick was duly converted by LOUIS JENKIN, and immediately transformed the opinion of the Ely supporters towards the referee!

The impact was almost immediate on The Villagers when on 45 minutes  TOM STOKER  got behind the Melford defence, evading the offside flag to run through and convert.

To their credit Melford continued to battle the rest of the game with a man short but Ely increased their lead on  74 minutes when a debatable free kick was awarded some thirty yards from goal, the kick struck the Melford goal post and ran along the goalmouth for JACOB PARTRIDGE to convert.

Melford have their last home game Saturday 19^{th April}  against current League leaders Fakenham Town, and then their final League game on Easter Monday away to Woodbridge Town, then it  is attention to the new Masterplan for next season!

LONG MELFORD: Frazer Foy, Ben Judge, Charlie Coy, Ryan Gibbs, Dek Roy, Carlos Lazar, Jordan Gibbs, Jacob Brown (capt), Caden Vine, Will Thorp,  Ben Humphreys

SUBS: Jack Utting, Mahki Johnson-Reid, Dylan Whitelock, Josh Twardowski, Oli Judge

• Photo credit: PARNELL PHOTO