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U18 Captain Steve Adams reports on Wednesday night's 2-1 win at Witham Town
Long Melford U18s superb season came to a close on a high note on Wednesday night with a superb 2-1 win at Witham Town U18s, guaranteeing Melford the runners up spot in the Ridgeons Youth League South.
With captain Steve Adams missing from the team due to a broken hand, Dan Ridley stood in as centre half and also as Captain and Jack Howard and Adam King from the U16 Alliance side both came to bolster the squad.
In the first 10 minutes of the match Witham were the dominant team with Melford struggling to get hold of the ball. A few long range shots flew just wide of Sam Mansfield's goal but nothing clear cut was created by the home side.
Slowly but surely Melford started to use the ball more efficiently, with the midfield four of King, Hardy, Delves and Fernandez all doing their part to maintain some good territorial possession. Melford's earliest chances were coming from the superb deliveries that King was putting in and were unlucky not to score.
Melford were well on top after 25 minutes and both Daw and Smith had efforts saved by the Witham keeper. The best chances of the game fell to Delves after half an hour, he side stepped one defender 10 yards out from goal but his effort was blocked by a superb sliding tackle.
Melford eventually broke the deadlock and it came from an Adam King free kick. Perfectly floated into the box, it was met by stand in skipper RIDLEY and his header looped back over the goalkeeper and into the Witham net. More chances fell to Melford players and Ridley had another effort blocked on the line from a corner. Also Daw was fouled 25 yards out when through on goal, but King's free kick flew just over the bar. Melford went in at half time 1-0 up, when it could easily have been 3 or 4.
In the second half it was Witham who started the brighter and Melford were under a lot of pressure with Witham sending more and more players forward. Silly fouls and wasting the possession meant more pressure for Melford's defence to cope with and eventually it told. After a number of corners had been conceded, one was swung in towards the near post and there was a mix up between keeper and defender and the ball went through Mansfield and into the net to level the scores at 1-1.
For the next 10 minutes Witham were on top and pushed for an equaliser. A great cross and some hazardous defending meant the Witham attacker almost snuck in.
Darren Smith was replaced by Darren Beer and Jack Howard came on for Adam King who had cramp. Melford again clawed their way back into the game and were putting pressure onto the Witham defence. Delves again had the best chances to put Melford in the lead, but his placed volley was again cleared off the line.
With 10 minutes left on the clock Melford's lead was restored. A superb ball down the right released Anthony Fernandez and his perfect cross was met by BEER to head home.
Melford continued to push and almost had another when Daw's pace took him past the defenders and Darren Beers lobbed effort brushed agonisingly wide. With 5 minutes left Delves was clattered by a knee high challenge and had to come off, leaving Melford defending with 10 men. But the defence stood strong and Melford came away with all 3 points and the runners up spot in the league.
I hope you've all enjoyed reading my reports as much as I have enjoyed writing them. It's been a pleasure to do it for the team and I look forward to reading the reports from next years U18s games.
Good luck to all next year and thanks to anyone who has supported the team this year.
Webmaster's note ~ A big thank you on behalf of everyone at LMFC to Steve for sending in his popular match reports all season, they've always been highly detailed and great to read. The club would also like to wish Steve a speedy recovery from his injury.
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