Melford complete double at title-chasers

Long Melford came up trumps with an excellent result in their last long away trip of the season.

Gorleston had beaten title rivals Mildenhall last weekend and were searching for three points to put them top of the league. Melford on the other hand started the day in the bottom two after back-to-back defeats against March and Mulbarton.

This was not a fluke result. Melford played to a rehearsed game plan and deserved the three points to complete the double after beating Gorleston 1-0 at Stoneylands last month.

The first period was not an exciting affair, Melford keeper Matt Walker dealing well with a flurry of corners from Robbie Sweeney the Greens wide man, Melford responded with Will Wingfield heading over the bar, and on  37 minutes George Day grazed the Gorleston post with a rasping drive.

It was an opposition Sin Bin day for a change, when Connor Deeks was sin binned for dissent three minutes before half time.

The second half saw Gorleston step up the pace, but to a man Melford excelled in their duties all over the field, and time and time Gorleston were caught offside.

The opening goal came on 49 minutes a long free kick from Melford keeper Matt Walker, to the Melford left flank, saw home defender Mitch McKay take a loose touch and HASSAN ALLY ran thirty yards to fire past keeper Travis Canham into the net.

It was a short lived lead for Melford. A defensive mix-up between keeper Walker and full back Dan Smith, saw the defender’s header back fall nicely into the path of ace striker CHRISTY FINCH who did well to convert from an acute angle.

On 61 minutes Melford regained their lead, a kick into the box by Day, saw Jamie Griffiths at the near post flick his header to the far post and BEN JUDGE forced home from close range.

On 73 minutes the Greens had two golden chances, one from Joel Watts and the other from Kyle Ingram, but The Villagers keeper Walker made two magnificent saves.

Melford introduced three substitutes late in the game and on 93 minutes one of them 19 year old Josh Norris robbed the experienced defender Connor Deeks, then ran with speed at goal, to pick out with a great pass JAMIE GRIFFITHS who smashed the ball into the net from 15 yards.

Just time almost for a fourth goal, again another substitute Callum Hemson  got behind the home defence, but his shot found the chest of Canham in the home goal. CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: M Walker, Smith, Wingfield, E Walker (86), Mills, Jackson, Ally (89), Judge, Griffiths, Emsden, Day (76)

Subs used: Norris (86), Hemson (76), Ward (89)   not used: Bradbury

Action photo with thanks to gorlestonfc.com