Magnificent Seven!

Long Melford extended their unbeaten run to 7 matches in a hard fought draw with league leaders Holland.

In the circumstances, this felt like a win, as Luca Enderby’s equaliser came deep into stoppage time.

Match Report:

Despite star striker Brandan McKay, and influential midfielder Harry Whiting Noakes not being available, this was another tremendous performance by the youthful Melford team, who fully deserved a point against top of the table Holland.

This Melford team is truly a team full of skill, fight and determination, one of the best teams seen at Melford for a few years.

The first half was frenetic to the extent of being scrappy whilst the second half proved to be very much the opposite.

Early in the game Holland showed their intent when  Henry Evans fizzed his shot just wide, whilst ex Melford player Harry Brown was well shacked by the Melford defence. 

In a Melford response Ollie Ward fired against the Holland goal structure.

And so the half ended with plenty of bluster from both teams, but a negative scoreline. 

Melford opened the second half with two excellent chances, disappointedly for The Villagers these unconverted.

On 63 minutes  Brendan Salisbury was through the Holland defence but was pulled back by a Holland defender. The referee deemed it was a yellow card when many people at the ground thought it should have been a red card.

On 72 minutes Holland took the lead a free kick was awarded near their right flank corner flag.

The kick bobbled around the Melford penalty area, eventually coming to  BEN DIXON  who fired through the ruck of players into the net. 

This seemed to be the win Holland were looking for, but the grit and Melford came through.

Six minutes into added time,  a Melford free kick taken by Charlie Glover, put Holland under pressure, 17 year old LUCA ENDERBY leapt and headed into the net. Jubilation for Melford. 

The game then  soured by the reaction of their opponents, that saw Enderby pushed to  the ground, followed by both teams facing up, the referee then dismissing Kyle Ferguson of Holland as the instigator of the incident and Luca Enderby Melford for retaliation. 

In the end a fair result, replicated by the game earlier in the season at Holland. CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Ben Moye, Jahjah Straw,  Toby John, Alfie Carroll, George Bareham, Oliver Ward, Charlie Glover, Rio Simpson, Brandon Salisbury, Jacob Brown, (capt), Konnor  Oughton 

SUBS: Luca Enderby,  Josh  Gilson, Jack Utting,  Rhys Foster Jack Brame

Photo credit: @NonLeagueCrowd (on X)

Man of the match Jahjah Straw is pictured receiving the award from the gaffer “Macca” McConnell. Photo credit: Jordan Maynard