Home v Marks Tey, Won 2-1 (Sun 25 Nov 07)
Melford took control of the game early on and captain Tom Arbon gave them the lead after 5 minutes with a great long range effort. Shortly afterwards after a heavy collision and bad fallTom suffered a double fracture of the wrist and was taken to hospital. Melford increased their lead after a spell of pressure when a shot from Liam Poore was helped in by Ben Roper.
Melford were then reduced to 10 men following a sending off.An even second half saw Marks Tey pull a goal back when Matt Bowers put through his own goal following a Marks Tey corner. Jack Goodwin and Ben Roper worked hard as play became stretched and Melford had to dig deep to the end to secure the points.
Away v Frinton & Walton, Lost 0-4 (Sun 18 Nov)
Long Melford Colts went down 4-0 in this Open Cup match against 'B' league opposition. Playing down the slope with a biting wind behind them Long Melford could not take full advantage. Of the few chances on show captain Tom Arbon sent a long range effort just wide. Frinton had just one shot on target. After a good run down the left the Frinton winger cut in to score from a narrow angle at the near post. Play became scrappy in the second half and injuries to Kieren Fisher, Kieren Hibble and goalkeeper Matt Bowers (when Frinton scored their second goal) started to take their toll. K.Fisher played on manfully, K. Hibble went in goal and Matt went to defrost. Further goals from a header and a long-range shot secured the win for Frinton but Melford worked hard to the end and did not allow heads to drop. Man of the match Tom Arbon.
Home v Reed Hall, Drew 2-2 (Sun 11 November 2007)
With both teams close together near the top of the league this was a match neither side wanted to lose.Melford kicked off with the advantage of a stiff breeze at their backs and had the better of the early exchanges. Reed Hall soon settled into their stride but Melford’s defence of Hurrell, Moroney, Payne and Day restricted any threat on Matt Bowers in goal.
The goal Melford needed came after 25 minutes when, from a free kick, Ben Ramsey brought a good save from the Reed Hall goalkeeper but the ball spilled out to Liam Poore who scored from close range.
The rest of Melford’s play became overstretched with the wind taking the ball into areas the forwards were unable to retrieve.Five minutes after half time Reed Hall equalised after a spell of sustained pressure. Jack Bradley rising highest to head home in the six yard box from a fine cross from the left.
It looked rather ominous for Long Melford now they were defending up the slope against the wind but the midfield showed great heart and determination in gaining possession and taking the game to Reed Hall.Ben Ramsey took advantage of hesitation in the Reed Hall defence when from a quick throw in he took the ball on a good run along the by-line and pulled it back for Jack Goodwin to equalise.
Two chances to increase the lead passed Melford by, when Liam Poore and then Tom Arbon ran out of support after making good surging runs.Reed Hall always looked dangerous but just when thoughts were turning to a victory Melford conceded a penalty for hand ball after another unexpected bounce in the lower penalty area and Ben Rice slotted home to make the final score 2-2
It's now three draws on the trot for the Under 14’s. Genuine thanks go to Mr Mike Fair of Stanway for a fine display of refereeing.Christmas greetings from the Under 14's go to the person(s) who stole the tractor with the result that we are unable to roll and flatten the pitch especially in the penalty areas.
Away v Earls Colne, Drew 1-1 (Sunday 04 November 2007)
Earls Colne kicked off with the advantage of both the slope and sun and pushed Melford back with early a lot of early pressure. This resulted in and early goal for the home team when the left winger had time and space to curled the ball into the far corner giving Tom Arbon in goal no chance.
Melford soon got themselves organised and started to push forward. Identical through balls sent Liam Poore away on three occassions for a one on one with the keeper. Liam took one of these with a cracking drive from 18 yards.
The rest of the first half was even. Earls Colne attacking down the flanks and Melford pushing forward through the middle - but both defences held firm.
In the second half Melford fancied their chances now they had the slope and sun in their favour but although they had enough possession there was not enough quality in the final third of the pitch.
The match was in the balance and tempers became strained. Both defences held firm and the match ended in a draw with both teams disappointed they did not take all three points.
Home v The Crusaders, Drew 1-1 (Sunday 28 October 2007)
Long Melford snatched a draw in match which produced few opportunities. On a blustery day neither side seemed to be able to settle. Although Melford had a fair amount of possession it was The Crusaders who were playing the neater football and looked dangerous on the break. Melford full backs Christian Hurrell and Jack Goodwin worked hard to halt attacks and gain possession.
With no score at half time Melford manfully tried to raise their game but passing and movement were in short supply. Crusaders took the lead when Ryan Lock finally got free of the Melford defence and slipped the ball past Matt Bowers at close range. Melford finally raised their game in an effort to salvage something from the match and a volley from Tom Arbon brought a 'wonder save' from the Crusader keeper. Liam Poore then had a claim for a penalty turned down.
With time running out Melford received a free kick and Anthony Featherstone sent a superbly flighted free kick over the keeper to equalise. With no substitutes available Melford showed grit and determation to gain something from a fragmented performance.
Home v Colchester Athletic, Won 3-2 (Sunday 21 October 2007)
Although well in control this result is a lot closer than it needed to be. Colchester were struggling to raise a team and played with only 10 men, some players turning up right on kick off.
Refereed with efficiency and aplomb Long Melford went 3 -0 up within 20 minutes. Liam Poore getting the all important first goal after neat play between Kieren Fisher and Chris Barber. Colchester's stand in goalkeeper was exposed again when Kieren Fisher finished with neatly after being sent clear by C Barber. Kieren netted again in similar fashion on 20 minutes.
It all seemed too straight forward to be true - and sure enough - it was. Melford sensed a large score and with everybody pushing forward the team began to lose shape and cohesion. Colchester pulled a goal back before half time with a long range shot that took a wicked bounce past the Matt Bowers.
In control in he second half Melford seemed to try too hard and let too many chances go begging. Colchester grew in confidence and pulled a second goal back when a mighty high ball was allowed to bounce in the penalty area before dropping into the far corner of the goal.
A tense and fractious last few minutes was in store before the final whistle giving Melford the points to move them up to second in the league for the first time ever. Oxygen may be required at this height.
Away v Clacton Utd, W3-0 (Sun 14 Oct 07)
Although giving an under par performance Long Melford gained valuable points away to Clacton Utd. Melford controlled the first half
making the best use of the slight slope and the sun at their backs. Stout defending from Clacton prevented many early chances being converted into goals. Most Melford attacks suffered with a brain-to- eet malfunction. It was Liam Poore with his hard running performance that made the break through, netting fron close range after a strong run from midfield.
A second goal from Liam was a carbon copy of the first and it gave Melford a 2 goal cushion at half time. A stiff half time talk woke the boys up a little in the second half but Clacton United with their 'never say die' attitude started to press forward although Melfords defence did not look troubled.
A missed header from Liam Poore and several dangerous corners from Anthony Featherstone all went unconverted. A 60 yard run by George Payne (specialising in going the long way round) brought a good save at the near post from the Clacton keeper.
Five minutes from the end Melford had a let off when they conceded a penalty after an ankle tap in the box but the Clacton captain sent a fierce shot over the bar. Finally Clacton's resistance broke and a last minute goal came from Kieren Hibble after being set up by Ben Ramsey .
This was not Melford's finest performance but 3 points and a clean sheet from an afternoon kick off in Clacton is always gratefully received. Man of the match: Liam Poore.
Away v Colchester Villa, Won 4-0 (Sun 07 Oct)
Long Melford notched a good away win at Colchester Villa . On a decent pitch the match was fairly even in the first half. Long Melford had the best of the midfield challenges where Tom Arbon and Ben Ramsey tackled hard and created well. Several chances went begging Kieran Fisher and Ben Ramsey both failing to score with one on one situations with the goalkeeper. Colchester Villa always looked dangerous on the break with clever running from there classy winger who hit the post with an early deep cross.
There was no score at half time. Straight after the restart Kieren Fisher scored having been sent away by good interplay between Tom Arbon and Chris Barber. Fisher then scored the decisive second goal 5 minutes later with a cool finish.
Colchester Villa fought hard to get back into the game but the Long Melford defence always looked composed . Matt Bowers in goal having little to do. Colts defence would not allow Villa back into the match before Fisher completed his neatly taken hat trick.
Near the end Ben Ramsey was up ended after yet another incisive run and dead-ball specialist Anthony Featherstone curled the free kick into the net. MoM Christian Hurrell.
Home v Bures United, Drew 2-2 (Sun 30 Sep 2007)
This local derby finished all square after Bures came back from being 2 goals down at half time.
Long Melford had the best of the first half and took the lead with a close range Chris Barber header after the ball came back off the Bures keeper . Colts kept he pressure on with neat and incisive football and the free scoring Bures attack was held firmly by fine defensive play by both Colts full backs, Jack Day and Christian Hurrell. Long Melford clipped the bar and then saw several chances go begging before a clever move involving Chris Barber and Kieran Fisher set up Kieren Hibble to slide in to give Colts a 2 goal lead at half time.
Unfortuantely Long Melford were unable to keep possession as well in the second half and Bures gained the upper hand. Gaps began to appear in midfield and Bures pulled a goal back with a speculative long range shot from Oliver Tozer. Long Melford worked hard to defend their lead with Richie Moroney playing out of his skin to contain Bures centre forward Scott Willis. In a nervous last five minutes the inevitable happened when Scott Willis of Bures occupied 3 Melford defenders before slipping a ball through to Tom Roberts to side foot home from close range.
Bures were very pleased with their hard earned point after a fine secnd half comeback leaving Melford to wonder how they managed to snatched a draw from the jaws of victory.
Away v Hedingham Hawks, Won 4-0 (Sun 23 Sep 2007)
On a sloping pitch and with a stiff breeze Long Melford Colts Under 14's obtained a second successive victory away to Hedingham Hawks. With captain Tom Arbon showing his versatility by playing in goal the defence looked quite secure as usual with full backs Christian Hurrell and Kieren Hibble allowing the Hawks forwards no space.
It was hard work playing up the slope but after Chris Barber and Ben Roper went close it was Ben Ramsey who opened the scoring when he stretched for a close range volley after a headed flick by Chris Barber who notched the second goal minutes before half time.
In the second half the Colts seemed to play well within themselves but were rather wasteful in the last third of the pitch. hedingham did not have an answer for the clever touches and through balls by Ben Ramsey and Anthony Featherstone. It was Ben Ramsey who put Colts three up with an incisive run and neat side foot finish. More near misses and some fine saves by the Hedingham goalkeeper prvented Colts from running up a higher score. The final goal came when the Hawks No 4 put through his own goal after pressure from Jack Goodwin.
Team coach Keith Featherstone was pleased with a fine away victory but will expect more quality in the coming matches if Colts are to climb further up the league.
Man of the Match - Ben Ramsey
Home v AFC Sudbury, Won 5-0 (Sun 16 Sep 2007)
This was the first meeting between these two sides and Long Melford came out on top of this local derby in a match played in good spirit with a referee that allowed the game to flow.
Long Melford Colts had a fair amout of possession in the first half but could not break down an AFC Sudbury team that played neat and tidy football. Finally a good break by Kieran Fisher set up Chris Barber from close range to give the Colts a half time lead.
In the second half AFC attacked well and pinned Long Melford back but stout defending by Richie Moroney and organised midfield play by Ben Ramsey and Liam Poore prevented an equaliser.
Having weathered this spell of pressure Melford began to control more of the game and good forward running by Chris Barber created spaces in the penalty area for Jack Day to score on his debut and then Kieran Fisher to score from close range.
AFC Sudbury began to tire towards the end and when their goalkeeper was injured and without substitutes gaps appeared in their hard working defence to allow Liam Poore to score two late goals to give Melford a 5-0 victory in a match that was closer than the scoreline suggests.
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