Honours even in derby!

This in the words of a well loved comedian was “a cracker” of a game.

The home team were virtually unchanged from their previous game against Harlow Town, whilst Melford due to two injuries sustained last Saturday at Ely City made some forced changes.

In place of the injured keeper Matt Walker, Manager Liam Joyce brought in teenage keeper Jayden Smith, from Braintree Town, whilst for the again injured Oli Judge, he brought in the 6ft 4ins experienced defender Toir Adeyemi.

On the bonus side after several weeks on the injury list stalwart Jake Jackson returned to start the game.

The game was played at a frenetic pace throughout, and on chances Hadleigh should have run out winners, but they were denied by the brilliance of keeper Jayden Smith and a solid Melford back line with Patrick Campbell and Toir Adayemi having outstanding games.

Midway through the first half Hadleigh should have gone ahead with golden chances being wasted by Joel Glover and Charlie Read in particular.

At the other end Josh Fenton-Jones and Ben Judge always provided a threat but could not find the finished product.

Despite intense defensive pressure in the second half Melford created a handful of chances Reuben Chinnery heading wide and Ryan O’Bryne seeing his shot pushed round the post by Jack Spurling the home keeper (to the amazement of all the referee awarded a goal kick, Specsavers comes to mind!)

For the last 13 minutes of the game Melford were down to ten men, when Ben Judge had the temerity to question the decision making of the referee and was instantly banished to the sin bin.

This spurred on Hadleigh and Melford were then locked into a total defensive mode, thus producing some fantastic saves from Jayden Smith, and some heroic Melford back line defending,

In the last minute Hadleigh thought they had taken all the points, a shot from Colby Hillyard beat keeper Smith but there was Melford defender Greg Birch  to hack the ball off the goal line.

Without doubt Hadleigh will ponder how they did not win, whilst Melford will be proud that despite the events that came up in the game they with the aid of keeper Smith, collected a valuable point.    CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Smith, Fenton-Jones, Akinade, Adeyemi,  Campbell,  Stoneham, Jackson, Chinnery, O’Byrne, Brown (capt), B Judge

SUBS: Pheby,  Ayiteyfio,  Birch,  Humphreys,  Charway Jnr.