Long Melford vs Little Oakley

Report

Although a little under par overall this was another good performance from Melford against a Little Oakley team who last week knocked  Kirkley out of the FA Cup.

It was not all one way traffic, as Oakley created several chances, but Melford keeper Matt Walker was in top form.

On two minutes Oakley wasted a good chance when Greg Rodger fired over the crossbar from eight yards out. This was replicated at the other end immediately, Ben Judge fired straight at keeper Dan Joyce followed by George Day firing wide from close range when through on goal.

Melford were hit by a serious injury after 23 minutes when the influential Dan Swain was stretchered off and taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder (shoulder now back in place!). His replacement teenager Alfie Parnell provided excellent cover.

Melford went ahead three minutes into added time, Sam Mills crossed into the Oakley box and GEORGE DAY finished from close range.

The second half was edged by Melford although Oakley hit the post and had other opportunities, with Walker again performing well in the Melford goal.

After 56 minutes Melford went further ahead keeper Joyce parried a cross from Hassan Ally, and BEN JUDGE converted from close range.

The third goal came after  77 minutes some clever passing between Jamie Griffiths and Dan Smith, saw the ball fall to BEN JUDGE who hammered the ball into the net.

Three minutes before the end Oakley missed another good chance when Daniel Rowe headed wide and  Melford very nearly scored another goal at the death when Griffiths and Smith both had efforts blocked.

Man of the match for Melford was Ben Judge followed closely by Matt Walker and Alfie Parnell. CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Walker, Mills, Wingfield, Swain (23 injured), R Waugh, Jackson, Ally (70), Brown, Day (64), Lopez, Judge

Subs used: Griffiths (64), Parnell (23), Smith (70) not used: Hemson, Hurley, King