|
Away v Stowupland Falcons, Won 4-1 (Sun 17 Feb 2008)
Melford travelled to Stowupland and produced another outstanding team performance running out 4 - 1 winners, a win that moves them up to 3rd place in the League. Melford started the match with 10 players only to be joined after 10 minutes by Jemma Long who had been playing netball for Suffolk during the morning.
Melford got off to a flying start when a Stowupland defender sliced the ball into her own goal under pressure from Ami Harrington. On 8 minutes a through ball from Jess Casey found Becky Howard who put the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. Stowupland then stared to come slowly back into the game and on 30 minutes reduced the arrears with a well taken goal.
On 35 minutes a good pass from Lizzie Anderson put Becky Howard through on goal only to be brought down in the box with the referee awarding a direct free kick just outside the box. Justice was done when Lindsey Stafford forced home the resulting free kick.
Melford dominated possession in the second half with Alice Grindrod commanding her penalty area with authority behind the oustanding defence of Jemma Long, Marie Seabrook, Katie Harvey and Tiggi Welsh.
Sam Gamage put in an excellent hard working performance on the right hand side of mid-field. Melford capped a good afternoon's work when an excellent through ball from Harrington was finished well by Howard.
Home v Bury Town, Won 4-3 (Sun 03 Feb 2008)
Melford played their first home game since 28th October when they entertained league leaders Bury. Bury won the toss and opted to play with the strong wind in their favour. After a very even opening 10 minutes Bury took the lead when a long ball caught out the Melford defence. Melford pushed forward with the mid-field of Lindsey Stafford, Jess Casey, Lizzie Anderson and Becky Smith taking control of the game.
On 25 minutes,Becky Howard burst through the Bury defence to fire home the equaliser. Immediately following this, Bury broke clear only to be denied the lead with a great save by Alice Grindrod. On 35 minutes Melford took the lead when Lizzie Anderson fired home. Shortly after, a great move involving Marie Seabrook and Jemma Long ended with a great shot from Symone Bromley hitting the post. On the stroke of half time Bury make it 2 - 2 following a scramble in the Melford penalty area.
At the start of the second half the Melford defence of Jemma Long, Katie Harvey, Marie Seabrook and Tiggy Welsh held firm against intense pressure from the Bury forwards. On 55 minutes Melford regained the lead when Becky Howard fired home from 25 yards.
In a thoroughly entertaining game, Bury again equalised on 60 minutes. This only served to spur on Melford who continued to play attractive attacking football. The winner came on 63 minutes when Amy Harrington combined with Becky Howard, who fired home to complete her hat-trick and crown a great all round performance from Melford.
Away v Waveney Girls , Won 2-1 (Sun 27 Jan 2008)
Melford made the long trip to Lowestoft to take on Waveney Girls in the League Cup. This was Melford's first game since the middle of December and this showed as Melford made a sluggish start to the game. On 10 minutes Waveney took the lead when a mix up in the Melford defence allowed a Waveney forward a free shot past Alice Grindrod in the Melford Goal. For the remainder of the first half Melford dominated possession but created very little in the way of goal scoring chances.
Melford started the second half much more determined and within 2 minutes Becky Howard had a good shot parried by the goal keeper with Ami Harrington firing over the rebound. The midfield of Lindsey Stafford, Becky Smith, Lizzie Anderson and Sam Gammage were now starting to push forward and control the game. Five minutes into the second half, Becky Howard put in the perfect corner which Lizzie Anderson knocked into the net for the equaliser. Melford continued to dominate and took the lead when a great pass from Becky Howard was clinically finished by Ami Harrington. The Melford defence of Jemma Long, Marie Seabroook, Katie Harvey and Tiggy Welsh stood strong allowing Melford to progress safely through to the next round.
Away v Bury Town, Lost 5-8 (Sun 16 Dec)
Long Melford made the short trip to Bury with only 11 players, two of whom,Jemma Long and Sam Gammage,had got off their sick beds to play.
On a good playing surface the game was end to end with both sides creating chances. On 10 minutes Bury took the lead which they increased on 15 minutes. On the stroke of half time Bury made it 3-0 when an attempted cross flew into the top corner beating Alice Grindrod in the Melford goal, who was superb throughout the game.
Melford started the second half with 10 players as Sam Gammage was feeling unable to continue. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Melford as they conceded 3 goals within the first 10 minutes, making the scoreline 6-0. Sam then came back on and Melford began to push forward with Lizzie Anderson scoring from 30 yards. 5 minutes later and Lizzie scored again. Melford began to show some belief with the back four of Lindsey Stafford, Marie Seabrook, Jemma Long and Tiggy Welch finally getting to grips with Bury's speedy forwards.
A superb pass from Becky Howard found Amy Harrington who finished well. From a Becky Howard corner Sam Gammage scored goal number 4. Melford were now well on top with Symone Bromley and Becky Smith putting extreme pressure on the Bury defence causing one of their defenders to slice into their own goal. With Melford pushing forward for the equaliser Bury scored two late breakaway goals. In a thoroughly entertaining match Melford showed great character to come back from 6-0 down and at the end deserved a draw.
Away v Waveney Girls, Won 3-1 (Sun 02 Dec)
On a wet and windy day Melford made the long trip to Lowestoft to face Waveney Girls. On a pitch that resembled a mud bath, Melford opened to scoring after 7 mins with Becky Howard finishing off a good move involving Becky Smith and Symone Bromley. Melford continued to dominate and increased their lead on 35 minutes when Symone Bromley fired home from an excellent Becky Howard corner. The second half started in the same manner as the first with Melford totally dominant and Alice Grindrod in the Melford goal a virtual spectator. Melford made it 3 - 0 on 55 minutes when Jess Casey broke throuth the Waveney defence to provide a clinical finish. In a rare attack, Waveney scored a late consolation goal but Melford ran out worthy winners.
Away v Woodbridge Town, Won 11-0 (Sun 18 Nov)
On a cold and blustery day, Melford chose to play up the slope in the first half. Melford started the game strongly with Alice Grindrod commanding her area well and the back four of Jemma Long, Marie Seabrook, Katie Harvey and Tiggy Welsh dealing confidently with the Woodbridge attack. On ten minutes a good passing move involving Danny Atkins and Tiggy Welsh resulted in Jess Casey opening the scoring with a well-taken goal. On 15 minutes a superb pass from Katie Harvey put Becky Howard clear, who finished with ease. Melford continued to control play and added a third goal on 20 minutes when Becky Howard fired home a 25-yard rocket. The second half stared as the first half finished with Melford pushing forward and within 2 minutes Becky Howard completed her hat trick. On 50 minutes Jess Casey got her second and Melford's fifth. Fifty-Five minutes and Lizzie Anderson opened her account with a terrific 30-yard shot. Three minutes later Lindsey Stafford capped a fine individual performance slotting home goal number seven. Lizzie Anderson then added two further goals to complete a well-deserved hat trick with Becky Howard grabbing her fourth goal of the game. With 5 minutes left, Becky Smith, who was outstanding throughout, got goal number eleven following good work by Sam Gammage.
Away v Swanton Herons, Lost 1-5 (Sun 04 Nov)
Melford made the long trip to Lowestoft to play against last season's league & cup winners Swanton Herons. The game started at a good pace with the play switching from end to end with Melford looking comforable in defence and playing neat passing football through the midfield and up front. The turning point in the game came after thirty minutes when, with the score level at nil nil and with Melford pressing, Leanne Cullivan, who had been a contant threat to Swanton, was injured in a heavy challenge and was unable to take any further part in the match. At this stage Melford lost their concentration and momentum allowing the Swanton centre half a free header from a corner. Within 2 minutes Swanton doubled their lead when an unstoppable freekick flew in to the top corner.Shortly before half time Melford stood off the same player at the edge of the penalty area who duly dispatched her shot into the same top corner.
Melford started the second half well only for a defensive slip after 60 mins allowing Swanton an easy chance to make it 4 - 0. This goal spurred Melford on who were now creating several chances. On 70 minutes Becky Howard burst though to score a well taken goal. With 5 min to go and Melford piling on the pressure,a Swanton breakaway led to yet another defensive mistake resulting in the fifth goal.This was a mixed display from Melford who at times played some of the best football we have seen from them and at other times lost concentration and lacked application.Plenty to work on at future training sessions!
Home v Stowuplands, Won 4-0 (Sun 28 Oct)
With Stowuplands turning up to play with only 10 players it was agreed before kick off to play this game as a friendly with the League fixture bing rearranged for Sunday November 11th.
Considering that this was Melford's first game for five weeks the girls started strongly and were in control throughout the game. Melford opened the scoring after five minutes when a dangerous cross from Leanne Cullivan resulted in an own goal.
After ten minutes Lizzie Anderson added a second and on the stroke of halftime Becky Howard added a third, direct from a corner. Melford continued to totally dominate the game with Leanne Cullivan rounding off a great debut performance by adding a fourth.
Away v Whitton, Lost 0-2 (Sun 16 Sep)
Following a convincing 7-0 victory on the opening day of the season Melford came down to earth with a bump against a strong and determined Whitton side who deserved thier 2-0 victory.
The first half started with Melford playing against a very strong wind and being pegged back in thier own half for long periods.Some strong and determined defending kept Whitton at bay until the 20th minute when a hopeful lob into the Melford penalty area took a wicked bounce on the hard surface deceiving the Melford defence to give Whitton a 1-0 lead.
Melford continued to battle well when 2 minutes before half time a carbon copy of the first goal gave Whitton a 2-0 lead.In the secound half Melford began to press but Whitton held on to claim the points
Home v Waveney Girls, Won 7-0 (Sun 09 Sep)
This was an excellent all round team performance from the Melford Fillies on the opening day of the season. Melford started brightly with Jess Casey hitting the post after 7 minutes. Following several near misses and constant Melford pressure Jess Casey opened the scoring after 12 minutes.
On 30 minutes following good linking play with Lizzie Anderson, Jess Casey made it 2 - 0. Two minutes into the second half Becky Howard made it 3 - 0. Melford then went on to totally dominate the second half playing some excellent football with Becky Howard
adding a further 3 goals, taking her total to 4 goals for the game and Jess Casey completing her hat-trick making the final score 7 - 0.
| 