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Away v Lawford Juniors, Lost 0-2 (Sunday 11 November)
The Blues started brightly and to be honest played their best football of the season with the defence pairing of Bryn Gartland and Ben Copsey showing energy and commitment with Harvey Watts in goal making a couple of decent saves. Micheal Sharpe in the middle of the park continues to improve with tough tackling and forward passes. Alex Salter and George Shaddock continue to try and play football and Matty Rampling is still feeding on scraps but doing well. Melford pressed forward well in this game with some long throws from Ben, with the result of Melford playing far more football in the Lawford half and box. An error in Harvey's judgement allowed a shot to creep in the near post but the lads never gave up and with a shuffle of the pack at half time young Thomas Morton came on up front and the lads continued to push. An error on the half way line allowed Lawford to race clear and score again late on but all in all, the lads tackled, held their shape, and never gave up in windy cold conditions. The boys continue to improve and should be proud, well done.
Away v Holland FC, Lost 0-3 (Sunday 28 October)
In difficult windy conditions Melford played well and were unlucky to lose as they dominanted big chunks of the game with Alex Salter hitting a post after a corner from Matty Rampling. Matty went close as well but alas with more luck we could have scored a few. Micheal Sharpe again played well in midfield and defence, but man of the match Thomas Morton was tireless with endless running and defensive work.
The goalkeeper Harvey Watts was again a spectator for most of the second half but he was powerless to stop two great strikes and an own goal. Bryn Gartland and Ben Copsey were again brilliant at the back, both making some crunching challenges and Zac Hillman had his best game of the season. All in all the boys are improving and they do continue to play football and they continue to play as a team and work for each other. Well done lads and lets keep up the progress that you have made. Final Score Holland 3-0 Blues.
Home v Colchester Villa, Drew 0-0 (Sunday 21 October)
In a great game both sides were evenly matched with the Melford defence holding firm with some great tackles from Ben Copsey and Bryn Gartland, and with Micheal Sharpe dominanting in the centre of midfield and the attacking play of both George Shaddock and man of the match Alex Salter for once Harvey Watts was a virtual bystander throughout the game. Matty Rampling again tormented the Villa defence but he needed a little more luck and belief in himself to score. Half time came and on came the subs of Thomas Morton and Zac Hillman who both did well and Thomas was unlucky not to score. In a game that neither team deserved to lose a nil nil result was fair. Well done lads.
Away v Great Bentley Blues, Lost 0-7 (Sunday 30 September)
On a lovely day the Blues tried to play football but alas left there energy at home and lost heavily to a very good Bentley side who were, fast, skillful and very atheletic. Thomas Morton who started his first game in the middle done well but ran out of steam as did George Shaddock. The new defensive pairing of Micheal Sharpe and Ben Copsey had problems but done as much as they could. Harvey Watts was again very busy and was unlucky as he had very little chance in the first half as the shooting from outside of the box was pinpoint and deadly.The lads went into half time 5-nil down but in the second half Alex Salter and Zac Hillman did well and we actually pressed forward, and with Bryn Gartland slotting into the defence we stood tall, with Harvey gradually getting his confidence back and making some fine saves.
Away v Brightlingsea Regents Blues, Won 3-2 (Sunday 23 September)
On hot day Melford were caught sleeping and fell behind to 2 early goals, but then the nerves settled and they started to play football in a very entertaining match. Harvey Watts in goal again made some very fine and brave saves and at the other end some great runs by Alex Salter resulted in him being brough down and then he somehow found the back of the net from the resulting free kick. Man of the Match Micheal Sharpe and Bryn Gartland again worked well at the back and Zac Hillman had a much improved game i the middle with Thomas Morton and George Shaddock. Alex continued to torment and a great through ball for Matty Rampling to run onto resulted in him calmly slotting the ball past the keeper. 2 all! In the second half it continued in the same way and Matty again raced clear and calmly scored his second. With time running out harvey continued to make saves and the impressive defense and midfield didn't stop working.
Home v Wivenhoe Youth Blues, Lost 0-2 (Sunday 16 September)
In their first competitive game of the season the blues passed the ball well and tried to play football against a good Wivenhoe side, with alot of the opening minutes being played in thier half. The first Wivenhoe goal came from the penalty spot after a handball giving Harvey Watts in goal no chance, although he was the man of the match with a string of excellent saves and kicks throughout the game. Bryn Gartland and Micheal Sharpe at the back did very well as it was the first time they had been paired together and with George Shaddock tracking back and tackling in the middle Melford continued to play and attack through Alex Salter and Matty Rampling, who with a little more experience would have scored. The second half continued in the same vain with some good clean open football but the Blues faded and where hit be a couple of mix ups and two late goals. The boys should be proud of the way they played and their attitude was superb too the final whistle, final score Long Melford Blues 0-2 Wivenhoe Youth Blues
Long Melford Under 8's Blues are managed by Adrian Copsey. Adrian can be contacted on 07807 724312 or via email adrian.copsey@sky.com. UNDER 8'S BLUES SQUAD 2007/08
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