Long Melford vs Hadleigh United

Report

It was a bright and breezy start to the game for Melford and for the opening 15 minutes they looked well in control.

A good run by the lively Jose Santa De La Paz, saw his shot blocked in the Hadleigh penalty area, and a few minutes later Santa with his pace carved out an opening for Jamie Griffiths, who out of character lifted his shot over the bar from 10 yards out.

Play to the whistle or flag is an old adage attached to football, in the 21st minute Melford did not, and stopped play looking for an offside flag which did not materialise. KADE IVATT had the simple job to run though and fire the ball into the Melford net, giving the visitors the lead against the general run of play.

On 26 minutes Melford levelled when a Griffiths cross via a deft touch by Dan Swain wasn’t dealt with by the Hadleigh defence and JACOB BROWN found the net from close range.

The Hadleigh threat started to grow with Kyle Ferguson and Mason Ransome prominent in attack. The lead for Hadleigh came again on 33 minutes, Ferguson’s cross caused problems for the Melford defence and KADE IVATT finished from two yards out for his second goal of the night.

It was a quick response from Melford, Griffiths from the left flank found JOSE SANTA DE LA PAZ who stroked the ball into Hadleigh net.

In a hard fought second half Melford created further chances with Griffiths twice striking the crossbar and post, and at the other end on 86 minutes Ransome missed a golden chance for Hadleigh when he blazed a free kick from just outside the Melford penalty box over the crossbar.

From the Melford perspective a decent performance, but they need to up their chance conversion ratio to more goals.

CHENOBERET