MISSED CHANCES PROVE COSTLY AS FIRST TEAM SUFFER HOME DEFEAT YESTERDAY (November 04, 2007)
The 1st Team put in an impressive display at home to Downham Town yesterday but were ultimately punished for not taking their chances.
Downham perhaps just about shaded a largely even first half that ended up goalless, with plenty of hard work and effort from both sides but little in the way of genuine chances.
Liam Cawtheray tested the visitor's keeper with a drive on 28 minutes and Downham created a few half chances as the half drew to a close, skimming the Melford cross bar on the 30 minute mark although Floyd Croll appeared to have the shot covered anyway.
The second half began with Melford having a decent penalty appeal turned down after a handball in the Downham penalty area, before the visitors took the lead with a header from a free-kick on 49 minutes.
On the hour mark Melford should have equalised, when a well worked free-kick nearly came off superbly - Paul Walker played the ball deep to Danny Brind who with a trademark header knocked the ball back across the area, several players went up for the following header and the ball fell to Scott Wark who shot over from a few yards over.
Half-time substitute Luke Simpson gave Melford added purpose and offered width, making several driving runs from his right-back position and providing a good supply of crosses throughout the half. It was from one of these crosses that 65th minute substitute Carl Daw headed over almost immediately after coming on.
On 70 minutes it looked as if Tony French had scored with a well struck shot in the area but the Downham keeper made an outstanding save, and by then you sensed it was not going to be Melford's day.
On 75 minutes Downham broke away with a ball over the top (despite more than a hint of offside) and finished clinically to go 2-0 up. It was very harsh on Melford, who created far more chances in the second half.
Soon after Downham's second goal, Ashley Skeggs hit the post with an excellent dipping shot that beat the keeper all ends up but it just wasn't Melford's day.
There was still time for Croll to save a penalty to at least prevent the scoreline becoming even more ridiculous, but really Melford were worth at least a point.
Melford: Floyd Croll, Neil Hayward, Scott Wark, Errol Durell, Mark Alder, Matt Wilson, Liam Cawtheray, Paul Walker, Tony French, Ashley Skeggs, Danny Brind Subs: Carl Daw (for Wilson 65), Steve Adams, Luke Simpson (for Hayward, 45)
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