|
Ryan Owens reports on his side's 1-0 home win against Harwich & Parkeston on Saturday 27 October 2007
With injuries rife within the club, the first team took 3 regulars for their long trip to Yarmouth. This left the reserves down to the bare bones however we welcomed back Steve 'Budda' Arnold to the heart of the defence to play alongside Mark Dack. Darren Smith started again in attack alongside the recalled Stuart Alston with the team reverting back to a more attacking 4-4-2 system.
Both teams started the game well with neither really forcing the issue. The first chance of the afternoon fell to the lively Luke Simpson who rattled the Harwich woodwork with a drive, the rebound falling to Stuart Alston who unluckily fired wide with the aide of a deflection.
The home side were pressing their advantage, Kirk and Bull who probably had his best game in a Melford shirt this year were winning the midfield battle. The unlucky Simpson was again thwarted when through on goal the keeper smothered his shot. On reflection a pass to Alston may have been the better option but that old addage ' if you don't shoot, you don't score' comes to mind!!
The referee decided to get in on the action when a booking was awarded to Dan Bull for something he said which meant he would be walking a tightrope for the second half.The half ended with Harwich's best chance of the afternoon, A long through ball being met by the Harwich forward who lifted his shot high over the Melford bar.
The lads came out for the second half refreshed and with renewed vigor to press home the advantage. However due to the nature of the game the match turned scrappy with tackles and the referee's whistle spoiling the flow of the match, cautions for Arnold and Green ensued as a result. With the game looking like it was heading for a draw. Mansfield was introduced for the hard working Alston and Owens replaced Dan Bull who had a knock.
The deciding moment came with 8 minutes to go, a free kick from Arnold was met by Owens who found Simpson on the edge of the area. With a fine turn that fooled two Harwich defender's SIMPSON unleashed the winning shot high into the Harwich net to seal the victory and top spot in the league for the reserves.
The lads deserve all the credit for a hard battling performance which resulted in them taking maximum points. The squad was stretched but everybody who came in gave 110% and you can't ask more than that. In all honesty this wasn't the best we've played this year , we'll play better and not get our rewards, but for now it's good to be sitting at the top of the table, still unbeaten in the league.
Squad : Clarke, Aaron, Dack, S Arnold, Green, Swain, Hardy, Bull, Simpson, Smith, Alston Subs: Mansfield, Owens
| 