1ST TEAM FIGHT BACK AT ELY DESPITE BEING REDUCED TO TEN MEN (November 18, 2007)
The 1st Team lost 2-1 at Ely City yesterday but were always in the match despite the harsh sending off of midfielder Neil Hayward on the 60 minute mark.
Melford made a positive start and looked impressive during the opening minutes of the match, but Ely quickly got on top using their long ball game to good effect. The home side were also dangerous from set pieces all day - making the most of their corners and their long throw specialist.
The home side should have scored after 3 minutes when Beech headed over from close range after a free-kick from the left, and in the following minutes the Robins forced a succession of corners.
On 18 minutes an Ely forward converted a header after a long throw caused havoc in the Melford defence but the referee ruled the goal out for a foul.
Around the 25 minute mark Ely were awarded a clear-cut penalty after a foul in the area and up stepped Kirby to rifle home from the spot. Ely then missed another decent chance to extend their lead from a corner.
Melford defended well as a team all afternoon and worked hard to ensure they went in at the break still very much in the match. Ely's tactics of launching the ball forward quickly to their target men might not have been the most sophisticated , but nevertheless any defence would struggle to cope with such a bombardment so full marks to Melford who stood up well to the challenge and never wavered.
Melford went in at the break a solitary goal down and despite not creating much themselves you sensed there was a chance to take something from this match.
On 52 minutes, Steve Day turned and shot over after some neat approach play involving Dave Kenyon and Kirk Hardy. Shortly after this attack Day made way for Karl Delves.
The turning point came on the hour mark, when Neil Hayward was deemed to have handled the ball in the area. A penalty was awarded and Hayward sent off, when it looked as if the ball had actually struck the Melford midfielder on the chest. Kirby took the penalty but this time saw his effort rebound off the bar and cleared to safety.
Soon after this Floyd Croll, yet again in inspirational form, made an outstanding save from a Mason shot, and at the other end Kenyon turned sharply but saw his shot deflected for a corner.
On 75 minutes Ely extended their lead - it was no surprise that it came from a set piece, a long throw converted by Beech.
Melford rallied despite Ely's extra man, and with stoppage time approaching Ashley Skeggs surged forward and his shot took a deflection over keeper Pacey and into the back of the net.
Ely looked rattled and were there for the taking, reduced to wasting time in the corner flag against 10 men, but Melford's goal ultimately came too late to take any points from this match.
Team: Croll, Cawtheray, Grindrod, Alder, Adams, Skeggs, Hayward, Walker, Kenyon, Day, Hardy
Subs: Taylor (for Kenyon), Delves (for Day), Barr (for Hardy) Click here to return to the News page
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