Castlemen avenge quarter-final loss

Without several regulars and playing their third game in eight days, Melford Reserves struggled to get out of second gear.

Simple mistakes proved costly early on as they gifted their guests a two goal lead, through JAMIE BROOKS and CHARLIE COE.

Things improved shortly before half-time when captain CHARLIE HOLMES took a fine pass from Jaydee Hambira to lash home from just inside the box.

Melford should have been level when a stunning drive from distance from Tyrese Williams was dubiously ruled out for offside.

Melford came out strongly at the start of the second half and were deservedly level when some excellent link up play from Kyle Hurley and Charlie Coy saw the latter feed BEN HUMPHREYS who smashed home via the crossbar. Game on, you felt at this point.

Another dubious decision saw the referee overrule the linesman and give the visitors a corner, Melford seemingly too busy arguing to get organised and were made to pay when a far post header was nodded in by OLLIE SMITH to give Framlingham the lead.

The last 20 minutes saw the visitors happy to defend with occasional forays into the Melford half and despite carving out some very good chances the equaliser evaded the home side.

Two defeats in a row for Melford and cup semi final opponents Stowmarket Town visiting Stoneylands on Saturday meaning this run of games doesn’t get any easier.

In more positive news the injury list looks to shrink a little with Jack Delaune and Addy Roy due to return, hopefully closely followed by Max Boulter and Dek Roy.

LONG MELFORD RES: Utteridge, Coy, Williams, Walker, Collins, Benham, Newman, Holmes (c), Quelch, Humphreys, Hambira

Subs – Ally and Boulter (both unused), Hurley, Hertz and Ward (all used)