Long Melford vs Mulbarton Wanderers

Report

Will Wingfield’s first half stunning strike was cancelled out by Mulbarton’s Harry Gagen in the 47th minute.

New signings for the home team Ryan Gibbs and Ethan Flack were both unavailable due to injury and previous appointments, with Ben Humphreys back from a three match suspension given a 90 minute run out in the Reserves.

A scrappy start by both teams saw Melford almost go ahead after 12 minutes when a snapshot from Will Wingfield was only inches wide from being a goal.

After capitalising play Melford went ahead after 22 minutes, emanating  from a peach of a pass from skipper Jacob Brown which released  WILL WINGFIELD his sweet strike on the half volley from 25 yards giving Tom Wright no chance in the Mulbarton goal.

Melford had two further good chances when a free kick from Brown was well saved by Wright and the ever lively Frederico Dende saw his effort pushed round the post by keeper Wright.

The Villagers will then rue the fact of not converting two more excellent chances, Perry Newman through on goal delayed his shot, and keeper Wright made an easy save, and Wingfield had another effort from close range blocked on the goal line.

Two minutes into the second half and Mulbarton caught Melford slumbering, HARRY GAGEN ran some twenty yards at the Melford defence with little challenge and fired into the corner of the net.

This created an inspirational impetus for the visitors and they started to play with some intent.

It was now the turn of Melford to do some real defending with home keeper David Leader making some crucial saves.

Melford desperately upped their game looking for a winner and twice in the space of ten minutes efforts were cleared off the Mulbarton goal line.

After 83 minutes at the other end Mulbarton had a glorious chance to win the game Ben Thompson saw his effort parried by keeper Leader, and with an open goal at his mercy Amon Kutsirayi fired over the Melford crossbar.

No further goals and  in a game that had two contrasting periods, the points were shared.

Today’s draw extends Melford’s unbeaten run to 5 matches. Their recent record of 14 points from 7 matches will give David Hennessey’s a lot of confidence heading into a very tough match next Saturday (29th October) at home to the league leaders Thetford Town.

LONG MELFORD: Leader,  Holmes,  Newton,  Jackson, Roy (80), Waugh,  Dende, Whiting-Noakes (83), Wingfield (77), Brown, Newman

Subs used: J Collins (80), Brennan (83), Parnell (77), Ally (73)  not used: J Gibbs

Photo credit: Stewart Ambrose – to see more photos from today’s match visit AMBROSE PHOTOGRAPHY