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Home v Brightlingsea Blues, Won 4-2 (Sun 28 Oct 07)
Despite the dismal weather conditions Melford started brightly and took the lead after just 5 minutes when Harvey Cawtheray ran on to Anthony Fellinghams through ball and lobbed the keeper . Minutes later and Cawtheray got his second after Todd Cooper beat 2 defenders before crossing for Cawtheray to tap home. Cawtheray then completed his hat-trick after just 15 minutes, however any thoughts of this being a comfortable victory were soon dashed when Melford failed to clear a long ball and Brightlingsea’s forward Pawsey pounced to make the score 3-1. 5 minutes before half time Melford failed to clear a corner which left Brightlingsea just one behind at the break.
The team regrouped at half time and when the match restarted Melford took complete control with Jack Lavelle, Adam Clark, Cooper and Cawtheray all going close to getting the 4th goal, however we had to wait until the last minute before the game was finally put out of Brightlingsea’s reach by Alfie Frost a great curling shot from the edge of the box.
MAN OF THE MATCH - HARVEY CAWTHERAY
Away v Lexden Saints, Lost 1-2 (Sun 21 Oct 07)
Melford again dropped points on their travels, but as with last weeks defeat against Coggeshall they deserved much more. An early lapse in concentration at the back allowed the home side to take an early lead after just 5 minutes. This was the wake up call the boys needed, they responded well and were soon creating chances with both Harvey and Todd both going close.Melford were now dominating possession and wre unfortunate not to equalise when Toby raced on to a through ball saw his drive go the wrong side of the post the half time whistle sounded with Melford still chasing the game but proving more than a match for their unbeaten opponents.
The 2nd half continued in much the same pattern, with Melford pressing forward, a neat one two between Harvey and Anthony cut the Lexden defence open but again Harvey saw his shot hit the side netting, Lexden were now hanging on and when Alfie hit a near perfect shot from 30 yards on a magnificent save from the keeper prevented Melford from levelling. With time running out Melford were undone by a quick counter attack to give Lexden a flattering 2 goal lead , showing great character Melford responded immediately with Todd prodding the ball home from 12 yards out .Melford again pushed forward but Lexden held on. A truly fantastic effort from all the team.
MAN OF THE MATCH - HARVEY CAWTHERAY
Home v FC Clacton Blues, Lost 1-3
Melford missed a golden opportunity to go top of the league by putting in a disappointing performance.
Melford started brightly and dominated the game for the first ten minutes. With Todd Cooper putting in some good crosses it looked as if Melford would score at any time, however it was Clacton who took the lead when Barnard seized on a through ball and finished well.
Shortly after it was 2-0 when Melford failed to clear a bouncing ball, Barnard was the first to react and prodded the ball home.
Clacton’s work rate was causing Melford problems and only a last ditch tackle from Adam Clarke prevented it from becoming 3-0, then on the stroke of half time Toby White gave Melford some hope with a powerful drive from the edge of the box.
In the second half Melford never got there passing game going which meant they rarely threatened an equaliser and when Barnard completed his hatrick it secured a deserved win for Clacton.
MAN OF THE MATCH - TOBY WHITE
Away v Halstead Town Blues, Won 4-1 (Sun 23 Sep)
Melford travelled away to Halstead which meant a change of kit to their unlucky blue strip, added to the fact Melford had never beaten Halstead in 4 years of trying this was always going to be a tough game.
Both teams started strongly with the game being played mostly in the middle of the park where Melfords Spurway and Fellingham dominated. Chances were few for either side with the defence of both teams being in control with Melford’s captain, Bolton in particular impressing. Just before the break Melford had their best chance but D Frost was unlucky to see his lob bounce just wide.
The second half saw Melford take control with Cawtheray bringing a fine save from the Halstead keeper early on. Cooper took the resulting corner and when Whites powerful header was again saved by the keeper Lavelle tucked in a rebound to give Melford the lead. Cawtheray then made it 2 when he latched onto Jacksons through ball and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper.
Melford were now in complete control playing some excellent football and soon Spurway made it 3 – 0 from the penalty spot after Fellingham had been bought down, with 10 minutes to go Fellingham added the fourth after great link up play from Cawtheray and A Frost.
Their was just time for Green in goal to make a great save pushing the ball over the bar from a point blank drive, however their was nothing he could do to prevent Halsteads consolation goal, however this could not take the gloss off another fantastic performance from Melford.
MAN OF THE MATCH: JAMES SPURWAY
Home v Colchester Villa, Won 1-0 (Sun 16 Sep)
Melford’s first home game of the season saw them entertain a strong Colchester Villa side. With confidence high after last weeks performance Melford started very brightly and were soon putting Villa under pressure.
Melford almost took the lead when Alfie Frost and Cooper linked up well playing the ball to White but his driven cross fell just in front of Cawtheray and D Frost.
Melford thought they had taken the lead halfway through the first hack when again A Frost and Cooper linked up to cross the ball to White who finished well, however the goal was disallowed for offside.
Villa then started to move the ball around putting Melford under pressure but with the defence holding firm and Green dominating his penalty area the game remained goalless at halftime.
Melford regained the upper hand in the second half and after ten minutes the pressure told when Spurway was pushed in the area for a penalty. A Frost stepped forward but was unfortunate to see his strike just clear the bar. Undeterred Melford continued to push forward and finally took the lead when Cooper cleared a free kick into the top corner.
Melford continued to push forward and could have easily added a second but this wasn’t to be and it needed an amazing last ditch tackle from Clark to secure the points.
MAN OF THE MATCH: OLLIE GREEN
Away v Little Oakley, Won 3-1 (Sun 09 Sep)
After an impressive pre-season Melford travelled to Little Oakley for their first league game of the new season. Melford started slowly but with their excellent defence of Rob, Jake, Josh and Adam Oakley rarely troubled Ollie in the Melford goal .As the half progressed Melford started to see more of the ball and when Harvey was brought down just outside the box Todd stepped up to curl the ball into the top corner to give Melford the lead. With their confidence boosted Melford took control of the game and were soon creating numerous chances with Toby inparticular going close on two occasions.The second goal came just before half time when Harvey chased down the keepers clearance diverting it into net.
Oakley rallied in the second half putting Melford under increasing pressure but the defence, inparticular Adam , were outstanding. On the odd occasion the defence was breached Oakley found Ollie too good Just when it seemed Melford had weathered the storm Oakley set up a nerve raking finish with a good shot from the edge of the box. Melford response to this was to score the goal of game, James won the ball in midfield passed to Todd whos first time pass found Toby who calmly slotted the ball under the advancing keeper wrapping up an excellent performance.
MAN OF THE MATCH: ADAM CLARK
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