27 January, 2007

Long Melford Reserves 1, AFC Sudbury Reserves 3

In a half that saw the visitors have more of the play, Melford fell behind on 17minutes in a fairly bizarre fashion, the ball was swung from near the halfway line into the Melford box, home keeper Mansfield missed his punch and the ball rebounded off home defender Stevens into the net. The second half yielded more goals for the visitors but Melford had more possession and created more goalmouth action.  On 76 minutes Sudbury went further ahead, Morrison was allowed along the right flank without challenge and his cross into the box was bundled home by BATTELL. Four minutes before the end Sudbury were awarded a free-kick from the left side of the box, PRATT hammered the ball home just inside the Melford right hand goal post. Some justice came to Melford two minutes later when Cook, who had a great game for Melford, floated a free kick into the box and JENKINS swivelled and fired home,  

Melford Squad:- Mansfield, Dilling, Wosciechowski (54), Cook, Dack, Moore, Stalker (79), Radford, Jenkins, Hart, Stevens (63)

Subs:-  A. Williams (63), Fitton, Alston, Simpson (54), Chisholm(79),  

AFC Sudbury Res:- Pengelly, Morrison, L.Rayner, Battell, Pratt, Theoba, Mills, Skeggs, Day, Ifield, Cowan 

AFC Sudbury Subs:- M.Theobald, Manby

23 December, 2006

Long Melford Reserves 2, Stanway Rovers Reserves 3

This was a fast and furious game with Stanway showing more polish and precise play and Melford compensating with some great spirit and determination. Both teams had early chances with keeper Mansfield excelling for Melford with fine saves from Coker and Lyness and at the other end. Goddard doing likewise with efforts from Jenkins and the 15 year old striker Tommy Perry.  After 31 minutes Perry ran through and was upended on the left flank of the penalty area, the free kick from Stalker found JENKINS on the near post and he flicked the ball into the net. The visitors tried to level with a goal ruled offside and again Coker coming close on two occasions. Melford almost increased the lead early in the second half with Perry closing down keeper Goddard siezing on his miss-kick, but the keeper dived to save from close range. Again Perry left the defence standing cut in and fired only inches wide with a fine shot.  For the visitors CARTER levelled on 70 minutes when he ran through the Melford defence from a deep position and put the ball wide of keeper Mansfield. The visitors then got on top but missed chances with Lyness missing a sitter and Coker putting a header just wide, the same player finding the net but being overruled for offside. Seven minutes from normal time the next goal came for Stanway when Fitton tripped Coker in the area and keeper GODDARD ran the length of the field to convert the penalty.  Barely had he settled in his goal when the keeper was dismissed for taking down Perry on his way to the Stanway goal. Despite the fact that most thought it was a penalty the referee awarded a freekick just outside the area and up-stepped JENKINS to fire past the stand-in keeper Smith. As a draw looked on the cards, Stanway were awarded  a free kick which was cleared for a corner, and from this J.HOLMAN headed home in the final minute of added time.  Not even time for a restart, perhaps a little harsh on Melford who deserved perhaps a point from the game, funny old game football. 

Melford:-  Mansfield, L. Simpson, C. Cook, Snazell, Barr, Moore, Chisholm, Radford (45,  Stalker (81), Jenkins, Clark (18) 

Subs:-  Perry (18), Green (81), Fitton (45)

9 September, 2006

Long Melford Reserves 5, Needham Market Reserves 2

This was an excellent win for Melford against Needham who had two League wins to their credit. Melford were down to bare bones with three suspensions in the Club and a number of players unavailable, against a team with Rick Cornish and ex-Melford first teamer Tommy Smith in their lineup. Quickly Melford took the lead when Joe Norton harried won possession and netted. Under 18s player Chisholm then netted the second, Needham pulled a goal back. Early in the second  half Tony Hart thumped in  a tremendous 25 yard drive, followed by another from Joe Norton. Melford scoring being completed by Luke Simpson, and Needham got a late consolation.

Melford Team:- Watcham, Barr, Leather, C. Cook, L. Simpson, Snazell, Chisholm, Bagshaw, Norton, Jenkins, Hart

Subs used:-  Clarke, K.Payne, Alston

2 September, 2006

Wivenhow Town Reserves 2, Long Melford Reserves 0

Melford Manager Nick Cook was far from happy with his team after this defeat, some of the players after a Friday night out were not in a fit state to play and the Melford  Manager read the riot act out to them after the game. Both goals came in the first half, one being an own goal from Mark Arnold. The only credit from the game came from Ed Baghaw and Steve Chisholm who have had excellent first games of the season.

26 August

Long Melford Reserves 1, Tiptree United Reserves 1

The Reserves started well with a draw against a strong Tiptree team.  After going behind midway through the half Melford levelled, when Dave Jenkins scored with a rasping drive his second of the season. Despite chances at both end the second half saw no further scoring.  

Melford:-  James Watcham, Keiron Payne, Kirk Vaughan, Mark Dack, Luke Simpson, Dwain Reader, Tony Parsons, Rob Radford, Danny Brind, Dave Jenkins, Stuart Alston

Subs:- Tony Hart, Ashley Williams, Craig Leonard

Reserve team Manager Nick Cook was pleased with the team and their display against Tiptree gaining a 1...1 draw.  Melford scorer was Dave Jenkins despite having three players injured and two suspended the team looked pretty good with both Mark Dack and Danny Brind making comebacks, so some of these players may well be in the first team shortly   Bona fide Villager

8 August, 2006

Ipswich Wanderers reserves 1, Long Melford Reserves 3

This was a useful work out for Melford despite some injuries. Dean Stalker hit the bar and post with free kicks. Aaron William then went to hospital with a foot injury (broken bone in the foot), Dwain Reader put Melford ahead on 35 minutes with a tap in, Ashley Williams then put Melford further  ahead with a fine individual goal, keeper Watcham concede a penalty with Stu Alston completing the scoring.  

MELFORD  RES:-  Watcham, K. Apyne, L. Simpson,  Dann, Arnold, Stalker, Parsons, Aaron Wlliams, Reader, Jenkins, Alston

Subs:- Leonard, Vaughan, Leather Radds, Chris? Ashley, Williams