Long Melford vs Holland

Report

Despite sitting top of the League below, Holland came to the Skyline Networks Stadium with a team of players with step 3 and 4 experience, an excellent playing record and on paper firm favourites to win.

It was not to be, Melford stood up well in a hostile atmosphere, and just about shaded the game overall.

In the opening 23 minutes the much travelled Darren Mills managed two headers and a shot against the Melford goal structure, but at the other end Melford continually threatened through the bustle of Ryan Gibbs, and the pacey wing play from Hassan Ally and Fred Dende.

Unfortunately the game started to get punctuated by some niggly and nasty fouls, which seemingly got overlooked by the officials.

The second half saw end to end football with Ryan Gibbs and Jacob Brown having close efforts for Melford, whilst Holland came close through Ben Dixon and Mills.

The Melford defence was resolute with Deklyn Roy a  pillar of strength at centre of defence backed by some good keeping from Matt Walker.

On 79 minutes Reumel Codrington committed a foul too many and was shown his second yellow card, then the red sending off card.

From the resultant free kick on the edge of the area Melford midfielder HARRY WHITING-NOAKES curled the ball into the net giving keeper Joe Hardy no chance.

Still the battling bruising encounter continued with goals disallowed at each end, just time for Anton Clarke of Holland FC in added time to receive a red card after tangling with Ryan Gibbs the Melford striker.

LONG MELFORD: Walker, B Judge, J Gibbs, Jackson, Roy, Whiting -Noakes, Emeh, J Brown, R Gibbs, Ally,  Dende

Subs used: H Brown, Newton, Brennan,

not used: Birch, O Judge, D Twum Jnr