Reserves Update - 02/12/07

Sitting level on points with AFC Sudbury at the top of the table, the reserves made the trip to Braintree to play an in form side who had beaten Haverhill the week before. We knew the game was going to be tough but the players were relishing the challenge especially when we got there and saw the fantastic pitch.

Yet again we were limited with numbers due to illness and several unforeseen drop outs before the kick off, However we were determined to make it difficult for the opposition to play through us and then see if we could nick something on the break.

The game was shared in the first half with resolute defending dealing with the Braintree forwards helping to keep the scores level. One chance did fall to Braintree but the forward fired over from close range when it may of been easier to score. Good pressure from 3 Melford players though can be thanked for making him miss from close range.

Melford where growing in confidence and belief ,so much so that we were looking to pick up the three points rather than just one. However the objective changed with 10 minutes into the second half an in swinging cross took a deflection and the ball was forced home from close range to give Braintree an undeserved lead.

With such a young squad you could be forgiven for thinking that this would open the flood gates but the spirited Melford side wouldn't stop battling and working hard as they had done all afternoon. Everybody was working their socks off to get back into the game, trying to find the equalizer which was more than the Melford team deserved.

With 15 minutes to go, Owens replaced Alston who had run his heart out all day to see if we could create an opportunity by changing the system. The once chance came with 5 minutes to go, great work by the impressive Knebel who was making his first start for the reserves found Owens in space who volleyed home into the top corner to give Melford what they though was the point that they deserved.

Everybody celebrated and the Home side themselves started to walk back to the centre circle when suddenly the referee saw the young linesman's flag go up. On speaking to the linesman the referee disallowed the goal for offside which was a choker as everybody could see that the wrong decision had been made.

The game ended with Braintree taking the spoils when really to everybody concerned the game should have ended in a draw.

The players deserve enormous amount of credit for the way in which they played, battled and handled themselves all afternoon. When you come to Braintree and play so well then the future bodes well for the rest of the season. Lets hope we get what we deserve and get back to winning ways when we entertain Clacton at home next week.