Opening day defeat

Not the start that Melford wanted for their new life at a lower Step 6 of the pyramid.

Travelling the 65 miles, to the Norwich City FC Education Centre at Horsford (The Nest), they were well beaten by a newly built home team of youngsters, with only two of last season’s team on parade. 

The Villagers were the architects of their own downfall, silly fouls, some poor passing, poor finishing, and a lack of midfield control.

First team keeper Ben Moye being away for the early part of the season, Melford had one time Little Oakley keeper Sean Eagle in goal, who did not let the side down.

Strange to say in the face of  the scoreline, Melford played some excellent football in the opening 25 minutes, and looked in comfortable control.

Against  the run of play the home team went ahead after 16 minutes,  a needless free kick was conceded by Melford some thirty yards from goal  and CHARLIE MARSHALL with the aid of a deflection and the goal post found the Melford net.

Melford came close to levelling with two headers from Toib Adeyemi. One clearing the bar and the other cleared off the goal line.

On 26 minutes Melford levelled with a stunning goal, a cross found BEN MONTEITH-WEED wide on the Melford right, with a chest trap, the Melford newcomer, volleyed the ball in the top corner of the net, leaving keeper Kingsley Barnes  completely beaten, and a great Melford finish.

The visitors had three great chances to go ahead, Montieth Weed failing  on a one to one with the keeper, then Ollie Hughes firing on the turn to see keeper Barnes push the ball round the post, and finally Will Thorp firing wide from close range. Melford were soon to pay.

On 37 minutes DYLAN THWAITS headed home from a corner and  in added first half time, Melford conceded a  penalty when nothing threatened, and DYLAN  THWAITS converted the kick, the final death knell for Melford. 

It was always a battle second half for Melford, with the talented  Joshua Ikem, directing play from a midfield position, with some very poor Melford marking. Further goals arrived  on 52 minutes a lob over the top, which looked a yard offside, and   finished by DYLAN THWAITS (hat trick)  and  replicated goal on  84 minutes which bore the trade marks of the  fourth goal, no VAR to save Melford! Scored by SAM WHITING.                                                               

LONG MELFORD: Eagle, Carlstreom, Crowe, Crisp, Roy, Adeyemi, Thorp, Monteith-Weed, Hughes, Brown,  Jed Jackson 

SUBS: O Judge, Goodchild, Marwick, De Noronha, Humphreys