Reserves Update - 04/11/07

We had available new signing Gavin Brightwell from Hadleigh which helped bolster the squad which was again depleted due to injuries and work commitments. We were looking forward to the game to see just how far we had progressed from the last time we played Stanway, a 4-1 defeat 2 months ago and also not forgetting that they were Ridgeons Reserve League winners last term.

We had to change things around before kick off as Dan Bull hadn't arrived from family commitments in the morning so Stuart Alston came in to play upfront with Darren Smith.

The game started brightly with both sides trying to settle into playing good football. Unfortunately one such move resulted in the Stanway forward breaking the Melford offside trap to fire past Clarke in the Melford goal. This early setback didn't deter the young Melford team who continued to drive forward and create opportunities.

Melford got their deserved equaliser when ALSTON found space just outside the Stanway area, with a neat turn and a quick look to see where the keeper was he lifted his strike beyond the goaly into the far corner of the net. Stuart assures us that he meant it and I for one was pleased to see him get off the mark this season, let's hope there's many more to come as if he can add goals to the work he puts in for the team he'll have a very good season.

The game looked like it was going to be level at half time when from a Stanway corner we switched off for a second which allowed the young Stanway midfielder to roll his marker before unleashing what can only be described as an exocet shot into the top right hand corner of the net to give Stanway a 2-1 lead into the break.

You could of had, Croll, Mansfield and Clarke in goal all at once and they all still wouldn't have been able to save the shot it was that good. Sometimes you have to just stand there and applaud a goal of that quality.

However, the boys knew that they were still in the game and other than the wonder goal the game was pretty much even. The second half started with again both sides playing good football, Bull who had now arrived replaced the injured Alston and continued the work that Stuart had started. Statham and Brightwell were doing well in midfield assisted by Hardy and Taylor on the flanks.

The impressive Aaron had to be replaced due to a back injury by Mansfield which meant a change in the shape of the team to 3-5-2. This didn't interrupt the flow of the game as both sides looked for further goals.

Bull was booked for a tackle and then what can only be described as the most blatant dive you'll ever see resulted in the referee awarding a penalty to Stanway. The Stanway management couldn't believe it, even their players after the game said it was a blatant dive but unfortunately the man in black didn't see it that way. Stanway dispatched the spot kick to give the game an unfair score line.

On reflection, the lads probably played their best football that they have so far this year. This was a great game to watch with both sides playing some good football. For us the game was all about gauging how far we've come. From the start of the season to now we are only getting better and better. The squad is still very young and these games will help the lads gain vital experience against sides who have been playing this level of football for some time.

Another plus point is that speaking to the Stanway management they have 79 players signed on for their senior squads, I think we have less than 35 of which many of them are injured at the moment. This is a great testament to the lads who are holding their own and playing some good football. Let's hope we can continue the good league form next week when we play Harwich and Parkeston away.

Squad: Clarke, Aaron, Dack, Barr, Green, Hardy, Brightwell, Statham, Taylor, Alston, Smith Subs: Bull, Mansfield, Owens