17 year old Adam King scored his first Senior goal today

melford

1 - 3

Ridgeons League Division One, Saturday 20 February 2010, 3.00pm KO

It was an untidy start to the game with both teams making some poor passes and therefore there was little flow or cohesion to the game. After seven minutes it sparked into life, without any challenge P Brothers ran down the Melford right flank from a halfway line position, his low cross into the box evaded the diving keeper Sibley, and this enabled O. MANN. a tap in from close range.

This seemed to spur Melford into action and within three minutes they were level, a fine raking pass from Skeggs found 17 year old ADAM KING free down the Brantham right flank, the youngster cut in and fired wide of Bedingfield in the visitors' goal, a great equaliser for the home side.

Then within minutes two other crucial events that featured the Melford youngster and were to have an important influence on the game. Again the Melford youngster sped past full back Crouch and cut into the box with keeper Bedingfield advancing off his line, his calculated chip went over the keeper but agonisingly found the side netting with Melford anticipating an early lead.

It was almost a repeat episode minutes later when the Melford wideman reached the box went down in the area under what appeared to be a challenge from behind, but despite the Melford protests the referee deemed the challenge to be fair and not a penalty.

As often happens from those circumstances it was Brantham who took the lead just before half time, former Melford player Deeny was adjudged to have been fouled just outside the Melford box and P.BROTHERS stepped up to put his kick round the wall and into the net.

Although Melford had been on par in the first half, the visitors started to dictate a bit more in the second period . In repeated attacks, Bloss headed over the bar and Dack cleared off the line an effort from D.Grimwood. Still Brantham attacked and Melford defended in depth, with Skeggs slicing for a corner a fierce drive from Brothers.

For Melford taking into the first half incidents the third goal came as a little harsh. After 82 minutes O.Mann broke through into the Melford box, he was shepherded by two Melford defenders, full back McKnight thought he had collected the ball cleanly, but Mann went down and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. With D.GRIMWOOD converting from the spot, shooting wide of the diving Sibley.

A plucky performance from Melford with five regulars absent, victory justified for Brantham, if not a totally convincing performance. If the game is on Melford will want to up their game when they travel to Clacton on Tuesday night.

MELFORD Sibley, McKnight, Grindrod, Dack, Crissell, Earl, Fisher, Statham, Banya, Skeggs, King subs not used Wood, French, Barnes

CHENOBERET