Long Melford vs Brightlingsea Regent

Report

Tonight we welcomed Brightlingsea Regent to Stoneylands for what has become a regular pre-season fixture in recent years.

It was a decent performance by Melford against Step 3 opposition, two divisions higher in the non-league football pyramid.

Without five regulars (two shielding through Covid), Melford were put under pressure in the first half and had to defend well to contain the visitors.

The only goal of the half came on 29 minutes when the excellent Max Booth put Regent ahead when he outpaced the Melford defence to slot home a fine individual goal.

In the second half Regent started with a different eleven, while Melford changed around half of their line-up.

Overall Melford had a better second half, but went further behind to a penalty after 53 minutes.

On 74 minutes Melford got a goal back when the visiting keeper was caught trying to dribble out of his penalty area.

Melford then created a couple of decent chances to equalise but it ended 2-1 to Regent in what was a useful pre-season run out.