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Ryan Owens reports on his side's 3-2 home win against Wivenhoe Town on Saturday 17 November
The squad for this game was not finalised until early afternoon due to players' work commitments that meant we welcomed Danny Brind into the squad as he was unable to make the trip to Ely with the first team.
Their loss was our gain as he lined up alongside Dan Statham in the middle of midfield to form an effective partnership that helped us to go on and secure all 3 points against a very good Wivenhoe side.
The game couldn't have started in a more bizarre fashion though as from Wivenhoe's first attack they took the lead when a mix up between Mansfield and Green resulted in the Wivenhoe forward forcing the ball home to give the away side the early advantage!
With last week's result and this early setback it was certainly going to test the character of the lads, the team responded in superb fashion by quickly erasing the deficit with a fine goal from DARREN SMITH. A neat one two between Clark and Chisholm set Smith free, with hard work still to do he beat three players and fired the ball home with great aplomb between the goalkeeper's legs to put the sides level.
From a dubious foul on the Wivenhoe player, Wivenhoe re-took the lead. The ball was met at the far post by their striker who nodded it back across the goal. To all on the pitch the oncoming striker got a touch at the far post, he looked miles off-side, however the referee awarded the goal as he said the ball had crossed the line from the original header and the man on the line never touched it!
Again a very dubious decision that went against us sent the team in 2-1 down at the break. It could have been three but the final chance of the half fell to an opposing midfielder but his lifted shot hit the top of the bar and went over to safety.
The lads were up-beat at half time as they knew they were playing well enough to get back into the game, we highlighted that the next goal was the most important and that if we got it then we could go on and win the game.
The second half performance from the boys was superb, Brind and Statham were dominating the midfield ably assisted by Simpson and Clark on the wings. The passing of Clark was fantastic all afternoon with many creating opportunities for his team mates.
From one such fantastic pass Simpson was released out wide, found Smith on the edge of the area whose first time shot was cleared off the line. The ball was still there to be won and a glancing header from Chisholm into the path of BRIND resulted in Melford restoring parity. The ball was dispatched high into the Wivenhoe net before the keeper could even move.
We were playing well and the lads tails were up, a loose ball fell to Brind on the edge of the area which was dispatched goal wards only to find the outstretched goalkeeper's hand to turn it round the post for a Melford corner.
The dangerous Woods was being well marshaled by Dack and Green with able cover being given by Brightwell and Swain on the flanks.
The lads were now pushing for the winner, from another Melford corner the winner duly arrived. Clark's quality delivery was met by the head of CHISHOLM who rose high to send the ball into the top corner and Melford back to the top of the league!!
Alston replaced the impressive Smith and Knebel replaced Statham, the best move of the match followed when a move of six passes ended with Brind's ball into the box being met by Alston who fired high over the bar.
This was a good performance from the lads and was a good game of football to watch. From a losing position the lads changed the outcome of the game by playing well and working hard for each other.
All the players played well, with Swain and Clark having their best games so far this season. Brind was superb all afternoon and the young lads really enjoyed having him in the team for the day.
No game next week so let's get behind the first team in their big cup game.
Squad: Mansfield, Swain, Dack, Green, Brightwell, Simpson, Statham, Brind, Clark, Smith, Chisholm Subs: Alston, Knebel, Owens
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