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Ryan Owens reports on his side's 3-1 pre-season win against Willis FC on Saturday 11 August
On another hot sunny day, we employed the 4-3-3 system to give the players another chance to experience a new system and way of playing. The game started scrappy with both teams struggling to play anything of any note.
After the initial hustle and bustle of the first 20 minutes the away team settled better creating more opportunities and passing moves to trouble the Melford defense. So much so that they took an early lead when a cross from the left was unfortunately turned into his own net by Sam Mansfield to give Willis the lead at half time 1-0.
We made a couple of changes at half time to try and press their midfield a bit more, again the play was bitty and passing moves were breaking down too easily. We made the decision then to revert back to the 4-4-2 formation to try and give us a bit more impact and cohesiveness among the team.
The response paid dividends as the players looked more comfortable and started to play with some new found confidence. We got back into the game when a free kick from Jack Taylor was deflected into the net by CARL COOK to put us on level terms. They created a few chances, one especially where Sam Mansfield redeemed himself for the goal by making an excellent save at the feet of the Willis forward.
With 15 minutes to go we made a few changes upfront, Stuart Alston coming back on and myself deciding to have a run out. The deadlock was broken when a fine pass from Danny Bull was converted by RYAN OWENS to give Melford the lead.
The lads were growing in confidence, our superior fitness was showing which resulted in the 3rd goal of the afternoon. A good run by Stuart Alston found By Ryan Owens converted at the second attempt by CARL COOK for his second goal of the afternoon.
The scoreline was a little but unfair on the opposition, they created several good chances on the day and didn't take them. We know how that feels as the same happened to us last week in the Cockfield Cup final.
Myself and Mark learnt lots about the team in this match, We are putting together our final plans now for the start of the season working out who will be in the initial squad for the game against Clacton on the 25th.
We have another friendly next week to build on the second half performance before that first league game.
Melford : Sam Mansfield, Jamie Aaron, Luke Simpson, Ross Swain, Mitchell Lever, Mark Arnold, Gavin Leeks, Craig Green, Danny Bull, Liam Cawtheray, Jack Taylor, Carl Cook, Stuart Alston, Tom Perry, Ryan Owens
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