Opening day defeat

For Long Melford it was a disappointing reward for the 75 mile journey to the Norfolk coast.

Melford had a squad that included seven new signings under new manager Liam Joyce.

For Yarmouth it heralded a triumphant arrival back to the Premier, buoyed by 231 spectators including an expressive group of keen supporters, aided and abetted by a big base drum (ear plugs highly recommended!).

After a scrappy opening 40 minutes which Yarmouth shaded, the opening goal arrived on 42 minutes after some controversy. A claim for a free kick on the edge of the Melford area took four minutes, for the officials to decide whether it was a free kick or not, eventually the kick was awarded in favour of Yarmouth, and resulting from this a corner was awarded to Yarmouth. Corner quickly taken and Man of the Match  CONNOR DEEKS heads home.

A further setback at the start of  the second half for Melford when on 49 minutes a thirty yard free kick from Duffield finds an awkward bounce, Melford keeper Matt Walker dives and pushes it wide, into the path of GEORGE COUZENS who finds the net from an acute angle.

Not quite curtains for  Melford they make several changes in the last fifteen minutes, and only a top drawer save by Yarmouth keeper Brandon Ling prevents Melford getting a goal back.

Overall a deserved win for Yarmouth, while for Melford attention now turns to Tuesday night at home to Brantham Athletic (7.45pm kick off). CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Walker, Ayiteyfio, Whiting-Noakes, B Judge, Lazar,  Humphreys, Frodsham, Brown (capt), R  Gibbs,  Bone, Pheby

Subs all used: Birch, Vine, Jackson, Charway Jnr, O’Byrne