Away day defeat to Dereham!

Again  Melford Manager Liam Joyce had the  injury jinx to contend with,  missing was influential striker Ryan Gibbs out with a wrist injury and Dek Roy  the imposing central defender out with a knee injury adding to the list of five regulars  already sidelined.  On the bonus side it was a welcome return for Carlos Lazar who had an impressive game in the centre of the Melford defence, The home team going  through a transitional period via their Youth ranks, had at the centre of their defence 43 year old Grant Holt, who started with Carlisle, and went on to play circa 500 Football League games  154 for Norwich City and  96 for Nottingham Forest, being the bulk of them. According to site information  Grant Holt is part of a consortium who are attached to Dereham Town. What of the game? well it was entertaining with the very Youthful Melford showing spirit but overall unable to match the composure, passing  ability and  sheer  strength of the home team. With a brisk breeze at their backs Dereham forced several early corners which the Melford defence dealt with very well, with keeper Mat Walker tipping a shot over the crossbar,  Melford counter attacked using the pace of Josh  Fenton- Jones down the left flank, but there was never a finished product, The home team went ahead on 34 minutes when  BRAD SPOONER, (a regular scorer against Melford)  was the beneficiary of some defensive bungling and converted from close range. The same player missed a golden chance, shooting wide minutes later.  Again just before half time Melford were the architects of their own downfall,  allowing a Dereham player to run 35 yards without a real challenge, saw the ball fall nicely for  CHARLIE CLARKE  to convert from close range.   It was an improved second half for Melford,  but again there was little potency in the Melford attack to trouble  Ben Self the home keeper . Whilst Melford managed to contain, the scoreline, they have to thank some resolute defending from  Lazar and good keeping from Walker in the Melford goal.  One day Melford will have a full strength team! MELFORD  Walker,  Humphreys, B Judge,  Chinnery,  Lazar,       Stoneham ,         Charway Jnr, Pheby, Reddin, J Brown (capt)  Fenton-Jones   Subs  Ayiteyeio,  Vine    Birch, O Byrne, Summers