A point on the road!

Long Melford fought back from two goals down to pick up a good away point in Norfolk.

Dussindale had won their previous three home matches, scoring 12 goals in the process. So this was always going to be a tough game.

Match report from Jordan Maynard:

Long Melford move up to 5th in the Thurlow Nunn First Division One North table, with a 2-2 draw against Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers. The winning streak may be over, but the unbeaten streak for Melford continues!

The first half was mostly Dussindale. With Dussindale putting pressure and intercepting most of Melford’s passes and chances, an early goal was unlikely – though Melford did also prevent chances from the hosting team at The Nest, too.

Melford broke through the defensive lines of Dussindale at times, but the defence was too strong for the lads in black and white.

About 10 minutes before half time, a good ball through the middle caught Melford on the bounce – DYLAN TWAITS calmly put the ball in the back of the Melford net without much deliberation.

Melford upped the ante for the last 10 with a few more chances, but unfortunately fell short.

The second half came and it seemed to be another very tough question for supporters whether they would see their team end their unbeaten streak.

On 60 minutes, the home side found a chance on the wing and squared the ball into the box where DYLAN TWAITS was there again from close range and tucked the ball into the Melford net.

Frustration started to form in the Melford camp, with players getting desperate for a chance to pull one back.

On 75 minutes, Melford got what seemed to be their consolation goal. A good passing move from Melford – a good pass out wide from substitute, Evan Gledhill found HARRY CONWAY who took a touch and curled the ball into the top corner of the net – he really did put some swaz on it, Gromit!

Then 5 minutes later – after Harry Whiting-Noakes played the ball up into the air into the outside of the box, Evan Gledhill rose up highest to nod on a sublime ball where Melford captain, BRANDON SALISBURY was able to run onto and calmly poked the ball into the net.

The Melford players, management and supporters erupted into cheers as soon as the ball left Brandon’s foot.

About 80 minutes gone, Melford would then again go down a man for the second game in a row. Melford captain, Brandon Sailsbury delayed a Dussindale free kick and blocked it. Already on a yellow card, our skipper was shown a second yellow card and told his marching orders.

This would not be much more of an advantage to the hosting side, as Melford would stubbornly hold on and keep a draw as an end result.

THE COMEBACK KINGS – after going down 2-0 for most of the game, the valiant Long Melford team come back to a 2-2 draw. Well done, fellas!

MELFORD SQUAD (STARTING) – Ben Moye (GK), Seth Garza, Jamie Barclay, Harry Conway, Logan Bell, Liam Knights, Taylor Bunnage, Harry Whiting-Noakes, Brandon Salisbury (Captain), Konnor Oughton, Charlie Glover

SUBS ALL USED: Toby John, Jack Brame, Evan Gledhill

Photo credit: Will Phillips