End of an era at Stoneylands

Fittingly the final match ended all square – the Villagers’ 14th draw of the season!

Before kick off a guard of honour was formed by both teams (thank you to everyone at Walsham for a brilliant gesture) for Melford manager Jamie Bradbury and assistant Steve Chisholm. After six exciting years at the Club, as a duo, they have decided to step down.

Straight from the kick off Melford went on the attack. With both Ben Judge and Sam Mills, going close with efforts on goal.

After 13 minutes in another attack on the Walsham goal, Sam Mills was fouled in the area, and from the resultant penalty JAMIE GRIFFITHS put Melford ahead.

Again Melford came close on 35 minutes when some good football put Dan Smith in on goal but his shot cleared the crossbar.

Gradually Walsham found some cohesion, and a good shot from distance from Harvey Hubbard, was well saved by Matt Walker in the Melford goal.

Five minutes into the second half and Walsham levelled, from close range a fierce shot from Cameron Nicholls was parried by keeper Walker, and JAMIE SMITH nipped in to net from close range.

The visitors started to take a grip of the game and in the space of five minutes they had efforts cleared off the Melford goal line.

Towards the end of the game Melford introduced Club Captain Steve Adams who through injury had been side lined for 18 months, and he almost wrapped up a victory for Melford.

From a great far post position his header went narrowly wide and in the dying seconds from close range a shot from Adams appeared to be goal bound, but some excellent defending saw Henry Harvey clear the ball off the Walsham goal line.  CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: M Walker, Smith, Judge (85), Jackson, Mills, R. Waugh. Ally, Emsden (64), Griffiths, Brown, Hurley (58)

Subs: Day (58), Adams (64), A Waugh (85) not used: E Walker, Bradbury

Yesterday marked the end of an era for the club. Thanks again to Jamie, we have so many great memories over the last five years: winning the League Cup, a club record seven-match winning run, staying up on the final day in 2018/19 and six FA Cup wins to name a few of the highlights. 

Jamie is pictured with club website/programme editor Andy Cussans before kick-off.

Only 1 jamie Bradbury @jamiebradbury @Longmelfordfc pic.twitter.com/DAcv83f9Nu

— Mr Footy (@MrFooty12) April 23, 2022