SUFFOLK SENIOR CUP WIN SETS UP HOME TIE AGAINST FELIXSTOWE (October 06, 2007)
The 1st Team won 2-0 at Westerfield United earlier today in the Suffolk Senior Cup First Round, and have been given a home tie against another SIL Senior Division side Felixstowe United in the next round.
Melford secured victory in spite of a disappointing performance that never matched the high level reached in Tuesday night's win against Whitton United. Against a hard-working home side who created several chances, Melford were fortunate not to concede and had to grind this win out.
Westerfield made the brighter start with Melford looking sluggish and struggling to find any cohesion.The home side looked sharper during this opening 10 minute period but failed to create any genuine openings.
Slowly, Melford got their act together and after 11 minutes won their first corner. Ashley Skeggs put the ball across, the ball dropped to Dan Statham on the edge of the area and he fired over. On 15 minutes Skeggs tested the home keeper from distance after a lively run.
A minute later a nice passing move involving Statham and Skeggs resulted in Tony French finding space down the left but his dangerous ball in was cleared for a corner. On 18 minutes the industrious Liam Cawtheray, who got forward from his right back position well all afternoon, played a lovely ball into Dave Kenyon inside the area who failed to get any purchase on his effort.
On 25 minutes Melford made the breakthrough - a deep Skeggs' corner was met by Mark Alder on the far post who headed into the net to give Melford the lead.
Melford dominated the rest of the half and should really have extended their lead. Skeggs tested the keeper again after a good passing move involving Cawtheray, Statham and Paul Walker.
On 43 minutes Alder was unlucky not to score his second of the afternoon when he made good connection with a header but bounced his effort over the bar.
Despite a spell of heavy pressure before the half time whistle Melford couldn't score the crucial second goal that would have made the second half more comfortable.
Westerfield looked lively after the re-start, with Errol Durell having to tidy up well after Floyd Croll parried a Westerfield effort. On 54 minutes it needed an excellent Croll save to keep a left shot out from the home side's number 11, and chances continued to fall to the home side.
Mid-way through the second half Steve Chisholm replaced Dan Statham, followed shortly by Steve Adams coming on for Darren Pratt who had been struggling with an injury.
On 67 minutes, an excellent ball from Paul Walker was met by another firm Alder header that narrowly cleared the bar. Melford had by now stepped up a gear and on 74 minutes a strong run by Durell into the box looked to have been stopped by a trip, Durell kept on his feet admirably but perhaps a penalty would have been awarded if he'd gone down.
On 77 minutes the crucial second goal arrived, Matt Wilson latched on to a ball over the top and advanced before playing the ball into the path of the advancing Walker who finished well with the outside of his foot for his second goal of the season.
Moments later the hard-working and effective French was replaced by Carl Daw, who shot wide on 85 minutes after another Cawtheray pass released him, and had a shot blocked on 89 minutes after a fine run and pass from Chisholm.
Westerfield deserved to at least get on the scoresheet but ultimately it wasn't to be for the home side. Melford were only able to control spells of the match and it was disappointing that they couldn't re-produce their fine form of late. However, they are in the next round and that is of course the most important thing.
MELFORD : Floyd Croll, Liam Cawtheray, Errol Durell, Matt Wilson, Darren Pratt, Mark Alder, Dan Statham, Paul Walker, Tony French, Ashley Skeggs, Dave Kenyon
Subs: Steve Chisholm (for Statham), Carl Daw (for French), Steve Adams (for Pratt)
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