Six goal thriller ends all square

In the proverbial “game of two halves” a point apiece was a fair reflection of this very entertaining contest.

Out to avenge the heavy defeat in the away fixture at Sheringham last month, Long Melford did little to help the cause with a lacklustre first half display.

However the second period was a supercharged performance and with both teams competing hard it was a good viewing spectacle.

The Norfolk team went ahead after six minutes when two miskicks in defence allowed the experienced JAMIE SMITH to pounce and fire the ball into the net from 8 yards out.

It should have been two goals minutes later when George Abbott was through on goal but screwed his shot wide.

Although Melford were always in the game, The Shannocks always looked smarter, sharper and better co-ordinated, so Melford were therefore perhaps glad to go in at half time only a goal in deficit.

Melford manager Dave Hennessey made three changes at the interval, bringing on Frederico Dende, Perry Newman and Sam Newton and that had the impact required with Melford putting the Sheringham defence under pressure.

An entertaining second half materialised with both teams competing with energy and passion.

The equaliser came for Melford on 58 minutes when a ball over the top found striker RYAN GIBBS, who expertly chipped the advancing keeper Denham Oliver and despite the keeper finding a touch the ball still found the net.

After 63 minutes Melford went ahead, an excellent cross into the box from Ben Judge saw skipper JACOB BROWN glance his header into the net.

Ten minutes later and Sheringham levelled with a super volley from 25 yards out from JAMIE NELSON, a goal of quality.

It looked like heartbreak for Melford on 78 minutes when substitute HARLEY ROBERTS fired home from 12 yards to put Sheringham ahead.

To use a well known cliché “they think it’s all over” but Melford have only lost once at home since August and they came up with a stoppage time equaliser.

A Ben Judge long throw was headed home by new signing CARLOS LAZAR to give Melford a deserved share of the points.

Melford will be pleased to pick up four points from back-to-back home games this week.

Attention now turns to Tuesday’s Suffolk Premier Cup tie away to Hadleigh United (7.45pm).

LONG MELFORD: Max Boulter, Charlie Holmes, Ben Judge, Jake Jackson, Carlos Lazar, Josh Collins, Lewis Brennan, Harry Whiting-Noakes, Ryan Gibbs, Jacob Brown, Ben Humphreys

Subs used: Frederico Dende, Perry Newman, Sam Newton, Deklyn Roy,  not used: Jordan Gibbs