Mildenhall Town vs Long Melford

Report

Tanner Call’s 85th-minute header denied Long Melford a point after Ryan Gibbs had equalised against his former club.

The Villagers were again understrength with the four players still absent as per the game against Kirkley, joined by Lewis Brennan (holiday) and Will Wingfield (family event).

Despite this setback it was an excellent performance from the Melford team and they must have been gutted to lose all the points with the 85th minute goal from the home team.

Early in the game Max Boulter Melford custodian made a fine save from the speedy Keiron Twinn.

Then Melford responded when former Mildenhall player Ryan Gibbs fired in a tremendous shot which keeper Josh Pope made a good save, on a par with his brother England goalkeeper Nick Pope.

On his Mildenhall debut ALFIE CONNOR, one time Peterborough Utd youngster, and recently signed from Soham, took a 30 yard free kick, which nestled in the top of the net.

Soon after keeper Pope was the saviour of Mildenhall saving goal bound efforts from Ben Judge and Ryan Gibbs.

As the half drew to an end Max Boulter in the Melford goal pushed an effort from Connor over the crossbar.

On 42 minutes Melford levelled when Ben Judge played in RYAN GIBBS with a sublime pass, and the striker fired home from a left wing angle against his previous club.

Whilst Mildenhall shaded the first period , the second half belonged to Melford, and Mildenhall have to thank keeper Pope for a string of excellent saves for keeping the scoreline intact.

Twice Mildenhall threatened, with Melford keeper Boulter producing two diving saves when George Bugg and Alex Steed got through on goal, one of the saves produced an appeal for a penalty which was waved away by the referee.

Melford attacked looking for a winner with Frederico Dende and Ben Judge putting plenty of pressure on the Mildenhall goal.

Despite Melford forcing four corners in a ten minute period Mildenhall defended in a resolute fashion.

Then on 85 minutes the heartbreaker for Melford arrived when Mildenhall forced their way down the Melford right flank, the ball was whipped into the box, with Melford looking for an offside flag, quickly followed by a brilliant jump by TANNER CALL (despite being possibly one of the smallest players on the pitch) and his powerful header found the Melford net.

So it was defeat for Melford but a great all round display with Ismail Marshall called up from the Reserves having an outstanding game.

LONG MELFORD: Max Boulter, Charlie Holmes, Sam Newton, Ismail Marshall, Ross Waugh, Jake Jackson, Frederico Dende, Harry Whiting-Noakes, Ryan Gibbs, Jacob Brown, Ben Judge

Subs used: Hassan Ally, Jordan Gibbs, Ben Humphreys   not used: Ethan Flack, Perry Newman

Meanwhile at Stoneylands in the early kick off our Reserves were knocked out of the Chell Trophy, losing 3-1 to Halstead Town Reserves. The Melford goal was scored by Ricky Verdades. Match report to follow.