Proverbial game of two halves!

The result does not reflect the pattern of the game, as for 50 minutes Long Melford looked the title contenders, and not second from bottom of the League strugglers!  

Not a great start for Melford when after one minute Deklyn Roy was adjudged to have fouled in the Melford penalty area, the penalty taken by Jake Watts saw Melford keeper Thomas Straetmans dive full length to push the ball round the post, a great save from the young keeper deputising for the injured Jayden Smith.

The visitors buoyed by a massive travelling support, looked genuinely shocked by an upbeat Melford performance.

Throughout the first half Melford created the bulk of the chances with Dylan Whitelock, Ben Judge and Caden Vine, seeing their efforts cleared off the Fakenham goal line.

The fact that the  half time whistle came with a zero scoreline, and news coming in that Brantham and Dereham were leading in their games promoted more anxiety into the Fakenham camp.

The game progressed up to the fifty minute mark, and with Fakenham making changes to personnel,  they at last started to get a grip on the game with Joe Henman off the bench playing an influential part in proceedings.

All season Melford have suffered a  late game malaise, and it has cost them many games, unfortunately this game was no different!  With a lack of marking, concentration and challenge down the flanks, by Melford, the first goal came around 70 minutes when TANATSSWA MALENOUKA converted from close range. 

On 82 minutes in a replicated move  TANATSSWA MALENOUKA scored his second in similar fashion. 

Hungry now to increase their scoreline an excellent  Fakenham move saw  JOE KEELEY make it three after 85 minutes.

The fourth and final goal came on 89 minutes when a thirty yard wind assisted free kick found the Melford net via the post from LEWIS STURMAN, so all to play for on Easter Monday for League leaders Fakenham Town when they take on title challengers Dereham Town, at Fakenham.

LONG MELFORD: Straetmans, B. Judge, Coy, Roy, Jackson,  Lazar, J Gibbs, Vine, Brown (capt), Whitelock,  Thorp  

SUBS ALL USED:  Johnson-Reid, Birch, Twardowski, Wingfield, Quelch

Photo credit: Parnell Photo