ELY CITY LEAVE STONEYLANDS WITH ALL 3 POINTS - MATCH REPORT FROM TODAY'S GAME (December 29, 2007)
Long Melford 0 Ely City 4
(Ridgeons League First Division, Saturday 29 December)
The home team were without Darren Pratt and before the game Neil Hayward injured himself in the warm up,not a good start. Overall the end scoreline reflected the superiority of the visiting team who in truth strolled to a comfortable win.
Early play saw both teams forcing corners to no avail . After 22 minutes Ely went ahead when the Exocet like throw in from Lawrence caused panic in the Melford defence the final clearance came to WARREN who fired home giving Croll in the Melford goal no chance.
Play went to the other end and Melford had a chance to level Skeggs was released into box however his delayed shot was saved by the legs of keeper Pacey. Pressure again from Ely saw PETTIT find space in the box,with Melford ball watching he was able to fire the ball home without challenge.In another rare Melford attack a diving header from Brind flashed wide of the Ely goal.
As the second half resumed Ely almost went ahead when Mason lobbed inches wide of the Melford upright, however a goal soon followed Warren found plenty of space down the left flank and his pulled back cross was met by SMITH who sidefooted home.
Then followed a period of intense pressure for the Melford defence with keeper Croll bringing off some excellent saves,during this period Mason headed against the bar,and from the rebound Croll dived to save the follow up header from Stone.
Although the Melford youngsters battled well the sheer physical presence of the Ely team was a dominant feature, with the Melford passing letting them down much of the time. Battling Melford almost clawed a goal back when Daw put a header wide and shortly after the same player brought out a good save from Pacey from a freekick.
For a moment Melford sparked with youngsters Daw and substitute Delves creating problems with their pace without finding a finish to their efforts. Play then went to the other end with Mason shooting against the post the ball rebounding into the arms of Croll.Then the Melford keeper pushed over the bar a shot from James and then from the same player Melford defender Alder headed over the bar a goalbound effort.
Nine minutes from the final whistle Ely sealed the game when MASON forced his way though into the Melford box and fired wide of Croll,to give Ely a convincing victory against a disappointing Melford partularly after their recent win against local rivals Cornard.
MELFORD : Croll, Cawtheray, French, Brind, Alder, Dack, Wilson, Walker, Daw, Skeggs, Chisholm subs : Delves (for Skeggs, 45) Bull (for Wilson, 48), Arron (for French, 69) Owens, Hayward
CHENOBERET
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