CONVINCING RIDGEONS LEAGUE CUP WIN FOR FIRST TEAM TONIGHT (October 02, 2007)
The First Team won 2-0 at home to Whitton United in the Preliminary Round of the Ridgeons League Cup tonight.
In front of a low Stoneylands crowd of 39, probably down to the fact Manchester United were playing live on TV, Melford produced a fine display against an expensively assembled Whitton United side.
Whitton fielded a strong side, although regular keeper Darren Moyes was replaced by James Waters for this match and Adem Atay and Sam Banya did not feature. However, Melford had important players missing as well - Errol Durell, Dan Grindrod and Paul Walker as well as the injured Andy Gooderham and Steve Arnold.
The first 15 minutes saw a bright opening with both sides competing well although little in the way of chances. On 16 minutes Dave Kenyon was up-ended by a robust challenge from a Whitton defender, and from 25 yards or so the inspirational Darren Pratt blasted his free kick over keeper Waters and into the back of the net.
Moments later, Whitton should have equalised - Canfer shot wide with the goal at his mercy after Floyd Croll have saved the initial Whitton shot. The visitors missed another golden opportunity on 28 minutes, firing over the bar after a dangerous ball in from the right.
On 37 minutes a chance fell to Kenyon after a stray header from Cunningham but the Melford striker couldn't get any power on his effort and in the end it was an easy save for Waters.
The crucial second goal of the match came moments before the half-time whistle - Matthew Wilson, who was outstanding all evening in central midfield alongside impressive debutant Dan Statham, slipped a lovely pass through to Kenyon who finished well to take his goal tally for the season to 3 from 6.
Whitton came out strongly in the second half and had a 15 minute spell of pressure, with Crane squandering another great chance from a header, before Melford began to look comfortable again and the win never really looked in any doubt.
On 65 minutes the excellent Danny Brind thwarted a Simon Hyde effort, the former AFC man had been pushed forward in an attempt to get back into the match. This proved to be the last notable Whitton effort of the match as the home side were well on top after this.
On 70 minutes Luke Simpson replaced Steve Chisholm, who had worked tirelessly for the side as he always does, on the right side of midfield and a few minutes later Carl Daw replaced Dave Kenyon up front.
Matthew Wilson had a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside on 85 minutes - Whitton left-back Cunningham was clearly playing him on but it was hard to complain too much when you're 2-0 up at home against one of the best sides in the division.
This was an outstanding Melford performance - they looked sharp and fit and were quicker to the ball than their opponents. Encouragingly, this wasn't a backs to the wall job and Melford were good value for their win, often playing slick and attractive football.
Team: Floyd Croll, Liam Cawtheray, Danny Brind, Steve Chisholm, Darren Pratt, Mark Alder, Matt Wilson, Dan Statham, Ashley Skeggs, Dave Kenyon, Tony French Subs: Carl Daw (for Kenyon), Luke Simpson (for Chisholm), Steve Adams
Whitton United: Waters, Cattermole, Cunningham, Inglis, Hyde, Pleasance, Williams, Ewers, Crane, Pack, Canfer
Click here to return to the News page
| 
