Burnham vs Long Melford

Report

This was a remarkable conclusion, to a fluctuating game. After 46 minutes Melford looked home and dry, with a comfortable three goal lead but Burnham fought back to almost take the game into penalties.

The Villagers went into the lead after 2 minutes a long David Lopez throw, caused mayhem in the Burnham defence and JAKE JACKSON converted from close range.

On six minutes Melford increased their lead from a George Day corner BEN JUDGE headed firmly into the net.

Gradually Burnham Ramblers started to find some self belief, and in one attack Eddie Appleton headed wide.

After nineteen minutes  Melford increased their lead a pin point pass from George Day released the unmarked BEN JUDGE who cut in from the Melford left flank to fire home.

Somehow Melford started to over relax their grip on the game and Burnham got a goal back on 39 minutes when a left wing cross was headed home by LIAM BARRY.

Melford introduced Jamie Griffiths for the injured James Dormady at half-time, and within 40 seconds of the kick off a Judge cross saw JAMIE GRIFFITHS stoop to head home.

Soon after this Griffiths tricked his way into the Burnham box and his placed shot hit the bar and went out of play.

With Burnham now starting to play cohesive and flowing football, Melford seemed to be content to rest on their laurels, that proved to be a mistake!

On 64 minutes a corner was not cleared by the Melford defence and BEN WOOD rifled the ball home. This energised the home team and Matt Walker in the Melford goal brought off three excellent saves the preserve the Melford lead.

On 69 minutes the Ramblers got another goal back when SHEMANE PERKINS-PALMER ran through to find the net.

At the other end Melford responded and Alfie Parnell cleared the bar from three yards out, followed by a Judge cross come shot which almost found the far corner net.

Urged on by the home crowd Burnham looked for the leveller, hitting the bar in the six added minutes, and teenager Alfie Parnell saved the Melford blushes in the last minute when he headed off the goal line to prevent a certain equaliser.

A valiant come back by Burnham, but Melford will want to examine how a seemingly comfortable victory turned into such a nail biting finish!  CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Walker,  Smith, Wingfield,  Jackson, R Waugh,  Mills, J Dormady (45 injured), Brown, Day (59), Lopez (62), Judge   Subs: Griffiths (45), Parnell (59), Long (62) not used: Chisholm, Ally (injured)