Long Melford 0 - 1 March Town United
Ridgeons League Division One, Saturday 23 January 2010

Despite having five regulars absent, and turning in a battling performance Melford were undone by a late second half goal that enabled their Fenland visitors to snatch all three points.

The opening stages saw both teams lacking in real composure, with the play losing fluency in the final quarter of each half. It was the visitors who came closest with the tricky Escorcio, finding space to fire his shot against the goal post, in reply at the other end Crissell headed wide from a Costello free kick.

Gradually March took over control of the game and Melford were lucky to maintain the no goal situation. A sharp shot from Parker was saved well by keeper Sibley, and then a fierce free kick from Pepper hit the upright with Sibley well beaten, but somehow Melford survived.

Just on half time Melford had the ball in the net when a long range effort from Costello beat keeper Heath, but the referee had literally just blown the interval whistle, so the goal did not count.

The second half saw Melford step up their game with Heath diving to save from Costello and then an effort from Flack was blocked on the goal line. But again at the other end it was keeper Sibley saving Melford with a fine one handed save from Pepper.

It was turning out to be an entertaining game in difficult conditions, with the ball moving from end to end, with generally March having a little more flow to their game. The crucial goal came on 76 minutes, a free kick was whipped in on the diagonal by Escorcio. The Melford defence failed to respond and defender NORMAN flung himself to force the ball home at the far post.

This sparked Melford into a grand finale to rescue the game, but the visiting defence responded well and the elusive equaliser could not be found. This will have been a blow for improving Melford who will want to pick up their game for the local derby against Cornard, on Monday February 1^st at Stoneylands.

MELFORD: Sibley, McKnight, French (84), Durell, Crissell, Cawtheray, Dean Costello, Earl, Grace (68), Flack, Fisher Subs King (68), Kemp (84), Wood

CHENOBERET