Home v Stanway Villa Blues, Lost 1-3 28/10/07
Melford were left to reflect on the missed chances as Stanway left Melford with all three points. Stanway were first to settle on the ball and this allowed them to score the first goal following a deflected cross, giving keeper Joel Walter-Smith no chance. The pressure was then on Melford to equalise, Rhys Shulver, Haydn Taylor and Tom Mason started to exert controlled pressure with a number of good attacking runs from all three, whilst Tyler French and Matthew Chiang were causing the Stanway defenders problems with their endless running. As Melford pushed forward, this created space for Stanway to utilise and they scored on the counter with a finely taken goal.
The second half saw Melford double their efforts, Tyler French narrowly pulled three chances wide of the target and the Stanway keeper made tremendous saves to deny Haydn Taylor, William Helms and Matthew Chiang. On the rare occasions that Stanway broke out of their half, defenders James Jackson and Ben Jordan cleared the danger, whilst goal keeper Joel Walter-Smith produced two tremendous saves to keep Melford in the game.
The Melford midfield continued to work tirelessly and although they were playing the far more attractive football it was to no avail as goal line clearances and last-ditch tackling came to Stanway’s defence. With five minutes remaining Rhys Shulver pulled a goal back for Melford after Stanway failed to clear a corner. As Melford pushed for the equaliser it gave Stanway even more space to work in, it was from one of these counter-attacking chances that they scored their third and final goal that effectively ended the game.
Away v Lawford Youth , League Cup 14/10/2007
Melford started the game well and produced a huge number of chances throughout the half Matthew Chiang and Rhys Shulver deserving of special mention for their fine performances. Through a combination of good goal keeping and ill fortune Melford went in 0 0 at half time. Early in the second half the breakthrough came when Haydn Taylor curled a superb shot from outside the area in to the top corner of the Lawford goal. Tyler French finished with a strikers instinct as the ball was crossing the line from a strong shot from William Helms, which the keeper could not hold, to make the score Two Nil. James Jackson swept up at the back with his usual grace and style which making the game look easy. Lawford rallied well and poured men forward looking for a goal which was forced over the Melford line after a sustained spell of pressure. William Helms went on a strong run from the resultant kick off and was unlucky not to score after going past the entire Lawford Team. A tense period followed with both teams going close however the contest was over when Haydn Taylor controlled a corner well to score his second from the six yard line. Tom Mason battled bravely for his team mates despite feeling unwell and put in his normal high quality performance. Joel Walters-Smith showed good form and concentration in goal despite having few touches of the ball.
Away v Great Bradford Blues, Won 3-1 (Sun 06 Oct)
From the outset Melford threatened to open the scoring with Haydn Taylor forcing a super save from the Bradford’s keeper, whilst Rhys Shulver and Matthew Chiang pulled their shots wide of the target. Melford could not break down a resolute Bradford’s defence, something special was required, and Tyler French took that honour with a great individual goal scored after he fended off two challenges before firing across the advancing keeper into the far corner. Bradford’s could not get the ball out of there half as Melford totally dominated, Tom Mason added a second after Bradford’s failed to clear a corner before Tyler French added a third before half time.
Melford stoutly defended for most of the second half trying to hit Bradford’s on the counterattack, defenders James Jackson and William Helms worked tirelessly making some crucial interceptions, whilst goal keeper Joel Walter-Smith produced two tremendous saves, unfortunately there heroics could not prevent Bradford’s pulling a goal back. A good game by both teams with Melford the deserved winners.
Home v Colchester Athletic Blues, Lost 2-5 (Sun 23 Sep)
Following an impressive second half display last week the boys needed to be on there game from the word go, with this in mind the whole team seemed asleep and allowed Athletic to take advantage, slotting home a good finish with 5 minutes on the clock. Melford continued to be quite and Joel Walter-Smith was showing impressive form in goal, but unfortunately he could not prevent Athletic adding a second. The goal sparked Melford back into life, Rhys Shulver and Tom Mason started to take control of midfield, allowing Matthew Chiang and Haydn Taylor to support Tyler French up front. French converted a penalty after an Athletic defender handled a cross by William Helms, before Taylor smashed in a thunderous shoot to bring Melford level at half time.
The start of the second half saw Melford second to nearly every ball, despite a number of fine defensive clearances by James Jackson and Ben Jordon, a fine break away movement by Athletic lead to the third, with the 4th and 5th following shortly afterwards. Despite the result Melford showed spells of good attacking play, and in some ways the score flattered the visitors
Away v Lexden Saints U10's Blues, Lost 0-1 (Sun 16 Sep)
Melford deserved at least a draw from this game following a fine second half performance. Playing against the wind Melford found themselves defending for most of the first half, goal keeper Joel Walter-Smith produced a string of fine saves with defenders James Jackson and Ben Jordan making some crucial interceptions, unfortunately there heroics could not prevent Melford going in to the break 1-0 down despite an improved end to the half.
A different team took to the field in the second half, Melford attacked continuously, causing Lexden to defend deeper and deeper. Rhys Shulver, Matthew Chiang and William Helms controlled midfield with their quick passing and movement, allowing Tyler French to see plenty of the ball up front. Unfortunately for Melford they were unable to convert their chances into goals, some fine goal keeping denying Tyler French and Tom Mason whilst Lexden defenders blocked goal bound efforts from Haydn Taylor, William Helms and Rhys Shulver. Overall, this was a good performance from the Melford lads who must be wondering when they might get a little bit of luck.
Away v Stanway Rovers U10's Blues, Lost 1-4 (Sun 09 Sep)
This was always going to be a tough fixture for Melford against the defending champions. Melford found themselves defending for the opening five minutes, goal keeper Joel Walter-Smith and the defensive partnership of James Jackson and William Helms making some crucial interceptions and saves. Eventually Stanway took the lead after Melford failed to clear a corner. Gradually the Melford midfield of Haydn Taylor, Rhys Shulver and Matthew Chiang started to play some neat football, an inch perfect pass by Taylor resulting in Tyler French dispatching a shot into the roof of the net, 1-1. Melford’s joy was short lived, as Stanway hit Melford on the break with a well-worked goal.
The second half saw Melford defending and trying to hit Stanway on the counterattack, Tom Mason and Ben Jordan worked tirelessly on the flanks making some crucial interceptions, unfortunately for Melford they were unable to convert there chances into goals. Stanway were always a constant threat, and Melford were eventually caught out as they pushed men forward in search of the equaliser, conceding two goals in the last five minutes.
Under 10's Blues 2007/08 Squad
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Ben JORDAN |
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Haydn TAYLOR |
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James JACKSON |
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Joel WALTERS-SMITH |
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Matthew CHIANG |
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Rhys SHULVER |
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Thomas MASON |
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Tyler FRENCH |
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William HELMS |
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