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Player/Manager Ryan Owens reports on his side's 0-0 draw against Tiptree on Saturday 12 January
After last week's performance we resisted using first team players who where available due to the postponement of their match, to give the lads the opportunity to show that last week's performance against Clacton was a blip.
They repayed the faith that we showed in them by giving a performance both physically and mentally that shows just how far we have progressed this season. Against a quality, full of energy side the Melford charges more than held their own in a hard fought match.
The game started with both teams looking to force the advantage and for the first 20 minutes honor's where even, However due to the system that we were employing Tiptree where getting out to easy from the back which resulted in them forcing the Melford team onto the back foot. Resolute defending and some excellent saves from Mansfield in the Melford goal kept Tiptree at bay.
We changed the system to match the Tiptree formation and balance was restored. Arguably the best chance of the afternoon fell to Smith but his shot found the arms of the Tiptree keeper from the edge of the penalty area. The half ended 0-0 giving the Melford boys a deserved break as they were scrapping hard for everything.
The second half saw Tiptree, who we must remember have only lost once this season, came out looking to force home their quality. We didn't really get going in the second half and chances where at a minimum. Again the lads defended well and stood firm. Mansfield again making several saves that kept the score goalless.
When Mansfield was finally beaten from a Tiptree corner, Carl Cook was on the line to clear the ball to safety. This epitomized the work rate and desire of the Melford not to give anything away and take a deserved point from the game.
All in all, a point was a fair result and after last week's game the squad has returned to the levels in which they have set themselves this season. We have 3 more hard games this month, I'm sure if we match the spirit we showed on Saturday in these games then we'll continue to progress further up the league table.
Squad: Mansfield, Cook, Dack, Barr, Green, Simpson, Statham, Taylor, Smith, Clark, French, Subs: Bennett, Hardy, Alston, Owens
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