U13 REDS

Melford began this final game of the season with only 10 players (one more than expected!) but for the first 20 minutes gave a good account of themselves. An early free kick, taken by Ollie KIng saw Dan Knowles head wide. Melford had more of the play in this opening period and were unlucky when Billy Prall's shot on the turn was just deflected wide for a corner. Melford's positioning and movement on the corner were excellent, but the ball found it's way through all the players to George Skipper who couldn't quite connect. On the 20 minute mark Frinton had their first chance which came from a break following a Melford attack. Bradley O'Hair chased hard to make a great challenge, but the loose ball was poked home to make it 1-0 against the run of play.

Melford carried on playing with belief, making chances and holding their own in all areas. Frinton started to get a grip on the game, the extra man making a difference on a hot day. A Frinton goal kick was collected and played through the midfield and the shot was well saved by Melford keeper Liam Jee.

On the half hour Frinton increased their lead from a corner which after a bit of ping pong in the penalty area, they headed home. A third was added within 2 minutes following a misunderstanding in the Melford camp.Liam was called upon to make a great save early in the second half, tipping over a fierce shot from close range. However, after a goalmouth scramble Frinton went further ahead 2 minutes later.

The seventh came from a break thorugh the middle which the Frinton forward latched onto, superbly chipping the advancing Melford keeper. Melford's defence worked hard all game, as did all the boys, but couldn't prevent the eighth goal seconds before the final whistle when they again lobbed Liam. Melford deserved 2 or 3 goals in the opening 20 minutes which they dominated; this game may have been different if they had. The final 15 minutes saw them dig in deep and play til they dropped.

So the season ends without us gaining a point, but hopefully the experience of playing at this level will be an advantage in the C league next season. Well done boys, you've had a hard but great season in which you've done yourselves and the Club proud.

The game settled with Melford matching the visitors in open play until, in the sixth minute, a shot on the Melford goal was saved by Liam Jee, but the rebound was tapped in to make it 1-0. Within two minutes Dynamoes made a powerful run down the left, whipped the ball across the Melford goal and a good finish low at the far post saw Melford two goals down.

Melford worked hard to contain Dynamoes, Billy Prall chasing everything in midfield and King and Barker at the back combining to clear most of the threats posed by the lively forwards. On the half hour mark Melford won a free kick when Knowles was brought down just outside the area. Ollie King stepped up to fire the ball into the defensive wall, and managed to blast the rebound into the top corner to reduce the arrears.

George Skipper came on at half time and made an immediate impact, closing down and chasing balls to deny the Boadicea any time to settle. Early in the half he chased a ball down the left, fooled the defender with a Ronaldo type step over and shot from distance, but wide of the mark. A great sign of a player with confidence. Dynamoes were now commanding the midfield and pressured Melford into hurried passing which paid off for them, going 3-1 ahead from a break in midfield.

Although Melford were still trying to get forward, each attack was followed by a hurried counter attack which put pressure on the Melford defence, so it was no surprise whn the visitors added a fourth goal. Melford's move of the match came near the end when Dan Knowles broke down the right, played a superb ball to Joseph Salter who lost out in a one on one with the advancing keeper.

Melford entertained the league leaders on a hot sunny afternoon, startred well and stunned everyone by taking the lead in the third minute. An Ollie King free kick, as reliable as ever, was met and the first effort hit the post but good following up by Joseph Salter saw the ball bundled over the line. For the next ten minutes Melford were the better side on the ball, although keeper Liam Jee had to be alert to save low to his right. Melford then survived another Halstead effort which hit the bar and bounced on the line, the second shot was blasted over.

Melford continued to press forward and good passing movements between Dan Knowles and George Skipper saw Knowles shoot wide. Skipper seemed to have rediscovered his passion and commitment for the game and was playing really well, his determined challenges closed down the Halstead defence and his neat touches and vision were a joy to watch.

It was 5-1 soon after the restart when a break down the left saw a shot from a tight angle finish up in the net. The move of the match by either side saw Jordan Gates collect a loose ball and thread it through to Billy Prall who played a neat one-two with Dan Knowles, back to Dan whose shot hit the bar, and Billy couldn't quite reach the rebound properly, his shot finishing wide.

Mackenzie Gooch, on for the second half, chased well, and when he switched to left midfield did well to mark his opponent. Goals seven and eight were breakaways following Melford attacks and the final score flattered Halstead slightly, although after the first ten minutes the result was never in doubt.

This was the second meeting in a row between these teams, and the outcome was the same. Melford kept the score down from last weeks game thanks to some brilliant goalkeeping by Liam Jee. Liam showed improved confidence and made some great reaction saves as well as diving bravely at feet. He was called upon very early in the game to dive full stretch low to his right to tip a shot around the post. However he could do nothing to stop a strong strike following a neat 1-2 between the St Edmunds forwards. The game was only 8 minutes old before Melford went further behind. The home side then settled a bit after a reshuffle of the team and again Jee denied St Edmunds when he came out early to clear. The third goal came when St Edmunds broke from their own half and although Melford threw bodies in the way, the ball was scrambled over the line. 3-0 at half time was an improvement on the previous week's 6-1.

Melford held out for a while but got caught on the break and a cross from the left was unconvincingly tapped home at the far post. Within a minute and in a one-on-one, St Edmunds striker Ally rounded Jee and slotted home with confidence. This knocked the stuffing out of Melford who now found it hard to keep motivated on a hot day. A couple of minutes later and a great strike gave Jee no chance for 6-0.

Jee had to make a cracking save from a fierce volley and another from close range. Goal number seven trickled in off the far post to round off the scoring. Despite the scoreline Melford gave their best but were below par. Thanks to Matt Coll for helping out; Jordan Gates did well in midfield, George Skipper showed good vision with some neat touches and Daniel Knowles ran his heart out as usual. We now have at least two weeks rest before the next game.

St Edunds ran out worthy winners in a game that had a familiar pattern to it. Whilst Melford had some good periods of possession, several times an attack on the home goal saw the clearance moved swiftly down to the Melford end and the ball in the back of the net. These breakaways have been the problem all season.

However, with only eleven players available again, and boys playing with injuries this was another difficult game to take anything from. The positives were things like team spirit - the boys just got on with it and worked together which was nice to see. Patrick Halliday had to fill in at left back, his first time as a defender, and did extremely well. George Skipper's excellent free kick which was unstoppable; Myles Barker forcing the ball home for our second goal; a good move starting with a great ball from Jordan Gates out wide to Dan Knowles, a one-two with Billy Prall and Dan's shot being saved. It was sad to see Joe Salter not finish the game due to a recurring thigh strain.

Melford had only 11 players available for this match but following on from last week's formation and performance, they gave the home side some problems. Playing with 5 in midfield seemed to help again and Melford were the better side in the first half. However, they went a goal behind after 7 minutes when a corner was met unchallenged for an easy tap in.

Melford carried on playing positively and didn't let the set back affect them. When a free kick was awarded to Melford outside the box Ollie King's shot was always a goal from the moment it left his foot. A great goal into the top corner from 20 yards. This gave the boys added belief and pleasing signs of encouraging each other and working together made the game a joy to watch.

The hosts obviously had words at half time as they were more settled in the second half. But Melford kept at it and won a corner which Ollie King floated beautifully over for Myles Barker to head home powerfully at the far post to level the scores. Liam Jee in the Melford goal had to be alert to dive low to his right to save. He was caught out when a speculative lob beat him and dropped just under the bar out of his reach.

Again Melford did not give up and played as a team. Although Billy Prall shot wide and Ollie King had another chance with a free kick, Melford couldn't quite find the equaliser which they thoroughly deserved. All the boys gave 100% and it was good to see them working together. Jordan Gates looked close to being match fit again after his injury and again, Patrick Halliday had a good game on the left.

This was a League Cup game which had been postponed several times due to the weather. That was not a problem as the match was played in sunshine, with no wind on a good to firm pitch. Boadicea could only field 10 players but this didn't make a difference to them; they have played for a month without a full team and seem to be coping very well. They went ahead as early as the third minute when a goal kick by their keeper was received in midfield and threaded through and crossed , met by their forward who scored with the help of some poor marking.

Two minutes later and another cross was volleyed home to make it 2-0. Melford then settled a bit but allowed the visitors too much time on the ball in midfield. Dan Knowles had a shot on the turn easily gathered by the Boadicea keeper and then Melford managed to get the ball into the net but this was ruled offside. From the resultant free kick Boadicea launched the ball forward, it was collected in midfield, slotted through and home to make it 3-0. Melford heads were a bit low now and rode their luck a bit as the visitors should have scored again before half time.

A change in formation at the break meant packing the midfield in an attempt to take control of the game at the cost of playing with only one striker. Within two minutes of the restart Melford had pulled one back when Dan Knowles finished well with a lob over the advancing keeper. This raised the boys belief and they began to play with more purpose. A forward run into the penalty area saw a defender handle the ball and Ollie King stepped up to calmy and superbly fire home the penalty, giving the keeper no chance with the power of the shot. Melford were fired up now, sensing that the game was within their reach, and were awarded a free kick just outside the area. Kings free kick whistled just over the bar. Knowles had a shot saved, and Liam Jee in the Melford goal made a brilliant save, tipping over from a fierce close range shot. He was called on again soon after to make a point blank save at the near post.

Melford then went further behind when caught out by the pace of the Boadicea forwards. The home side carried on playing with some determination with Myles Barker playing commandingly at the back, and was prepared to get forward to win the ball in midfield. Another attack by Patrick Halliday on the left saw him use his pace to take on two defenders, cutting inside between them and was upended by both players, forcing a penalty which Ollie King took as a carbon copy of the first. 4-3. Although Melford seemed to have the belief that they could get something from the game, they were now tired and with two minutes to go a mix up at the near post saw Boadicea scramble the ball home to put the game beyond reach for Melford.

Heroic. There's no other word for this performance. The odds were stacked against us - bottom of the table, no points from 13 games, Harwich 4th and going well. We only had 10 players available, they had 16. When Joe Salter pulled a thigh muscle in the warm up, we were expecting the worst result so far. Joe was encouraged to stay on the pitch just to get in the way. But we told the boys to make the best of it and enjoy their football as much as they could.

The game started evenly, with Harwich having the first chance which sailed over the bar. Melford were very much in the game and it was by no means a one sided affair. However we conceded from a corner on 7 minutes. Harwich took control a little and a series of corners saw chances frittered away by the home side. Melford had to play without anyone up front and had to rely on breaking away when they could. A good move between Billy Prall and Dan Knowles finished with George Skipper firing wide. Prall then put a good through ball for Salter to run onto and his long range effort gave the keeper no real problem. Then on 18 minutes Melford shocked their opponents by equalising through Dan Knowles, a good strike.

To go in at half time on level terms was more than we could have hoped for. The second half saw Melford under a bit more pressure but in the main Harwich seemed to have left their scoring boots at home as several chance were squandered.They did score their second from a throw in which was not cleared by the Melford defence, the loose ball rifled home for 2-1.

Dan Aldous standing in as goalkeeper made a superb save low to his right when a Harwich forward was allowed to swivel and shoot. The third came form a lob from the edge of the penalty area, and Aldous denied another with a great stop in a one on one with the advancing attacker. The fourth went in from a corner; we were now into a hailstorm, having started the game in spring sunshine. We thought heads would drop - the boys were very tired but one last push forward saw a very determined Prall force home a header to make it 4-2.

The final whistle went, everyone dashed to their cars to get out of the lashing rain so I didn't get chance to congratulate the boys on their performance. They were fantastic, everyone deserved a man of the match award and I can't single anyone out for special praise as they all gave everything. Maybe just a mention for Josh Richardson who felt unwell with dizziness insisted on going back on after a 5 minute rest, and to Joe Salter for trying his best when cleary in pain.

This was a scrappy hard fought match which saw Lawford come out on top. Neither side allowed the other to play any real passing football so this was not the greatest spectacle to watch. The first 10 minutes was fairly even but as early as the second minute Miles Barker had to turn away a fierce shot for a corner. In the build up to this Dan Aldous took a knock and had to come off until half time. On the quarter hour mark Melford, under pressure, went behind by an own goal - an unfortunate toe poke squirmed it's way under the Melford keeper.

Melford went further behind 10 minutes into the second half. This seemed to provoke some reaction from the Melford players who did get stuck in. The home side were unlucky not to score when Billy Prall couldn't quite get on the end of a free kick, his header glancing wide. Then a good exchange between Prall and Joseph Salter ended with a looping volley by Dan Knowles which the Lawford keeper took comfortably. Melford were now tiring; only one sub compared to Lawford's three made a difference. Lawford then scored one of the goals of the season when they crossed to find the unmarked Punchard who met the ball with an overhead scissor kick to smash the ball into the net, giving Liam Jee no chance. Myles Barker had another good game in defence and although Melford battled well in a physical game, a lack of fitness and player availability took their toll. Well done to the players that were there on the day.

This was the third meeting this season between two Clubs at opposite ends of the table. Stanway came out on top for the third time, although by a narrower margin than in the previous games. Melford could only muster 11 players again through illness and injury, but all played with commitment and determination. The first ten minutes was fairly even with both sides creating cahnces and defending well. Stanway went ahead on the 10 minute mark but Melford didn't let that alter their game.They continued to play passing football and battled hard to stay in the game. A lack of concentration led to the second goal when a Stanway player was allowed space to turn and shoot, his shot squirming under Melford keeper Jee. Again, Melford refused to drop their heads and pressed forward at every opportunity and it was this determination that led to a move involving Joseph Salter and George Skipper being finished by Mackenzie Gooch who calmy curled his shot around the defence to make it 2-1.

This clearly rattled the Stanway players for a while; Melfords' game was raised as belief crept into the team. Stanway then scored an unlikely goal when Jee (5' 11'') was lobbed a yard off his line. Play continued to be failry even until half time. Apart from the goals, Melford had played well and didn't really deserve to be 3-1 down at half time. With no subs we expected tiredness to creep in towards the end, especially as Stanway had a full complement of subs. The game restarted in the same vein as before but Stanway were gifted the fourth goal when Jee failed to clear a back pass. However his confidence was restored when he made a great save, diving low at the near post.

Stanway took advantage of poor marking and made it 5-1 from a corner. It could have been more but for some poor finishing by Stanway. Melford battled on and Barker and King again worked together well in defence. Skipper up front did well at chasing, tackling and holding the ball up, combining well with Prall and Knowles to cause problems for the Stanway defence. Stanway put the result beyond all doubt when a good run down the left and a fantastic cross was met well with a header, but there was no challenge from Melford.

Jee again dived low to save at his near post to deny a certain goal. A good move forward by Melford was cut out by the Stanway defence and the subsequent break caught out the tired legs of Melford and the ball was blasted into the net, giving Jee no chance and the game ended 7-1. The boys should be proud of the effort they put into this game, which was well refereed and played in good spirt.

With the two sides at the same end of the table this was set to be a close game and for the most part this proved to be the case. Melford, with only 11 players, started brightly and played with some purpose. The experiment of playing Myles Barker as a centre back worked well from the start and he settled into the role very easily, striking up a good understanding with Ollie King who was excellent as sweeper.

The early exchanges were quite even but it was Melford who had the first real chance on goal when a good move involving Billy Prall and Dan Knowles saw Dan shoot wide. A few minutes later saw a George Skipper free kick from wide on the right, a beautifully floated cross, whistle past Mackenzie Gooch�s head. Moments later and George came close when through on goal, he tried to chip the keeper who made a fine save to deny Melford the lead. At the other end, Liam Jee in the Melford goal, playing with lots of confidence dived low to his right to deny a certain goal. However, a minute later he had no chance when Frinton drove through unchallenged to open the scoring. For the rest of the half it was still very even with both sides creating half chances but both defences coping well.

The second half began with a similar period until Frinton increased their lead with a header from a cross following a throw in. Melford heads dropped a little and a lack of concentration in the midfield put Bradley O�Hair at the back under pressure. He was very unfortunate to slip when he looked to have a through ball covered and the Frinton forward took advantage to slot home the third goal.

For a while Melford looked a beaten side but kept going, trying to get back into the game and Dan Knowles had a great chance to get one back when he found himself through with only the keeper to beat. The keeper stood his ground and did well to take the ball from Dan�s feet. Ten minutes from time Melford pressed forward and forced a defender into a back pass which the keeper picked up right on the bye-line about a yard to one side of the goal. An indirect free kick was taken, which Gooch tried to blast home through the mass of bodies on the line. Team mate Prall tried to steer it into the net and a goal was given and although the ball was cleared, it was adjudged to have crossed the line.

This spurred on both teams as Melford tried to get something from the game and Frinton tried to regain their 3 goal advantage. Effort to the final whistle made this an entertaining match, one which Melford should be pleased with. Special mentions go to Myles Barker, absolutely superb throughout, Ollie King for his leadership, Skippy for his strength in holding the ball up and Dan Aldous for his 100% commitment. But everyone played their part in showing us what can be achieved with hard work when backs are against the wall.

Stanway beat Melford comprehensively by the same scoreline as a fortnight ago in the league fixture, but the scoreline as always, doesn�t tell the whole story. Yes, Melford were outclassed but showed great fighting spirit in the second half. With three players out through injury, Melford had twelve boys available. That is, until a minute before kick off when keeper Liam Jee injured himself during the warm up. So straight down to the bare eleven players with Myles Barker in goal.

Melford didn�t do themselves any favours by allowing Stanway to rob them of the ball from the kick off and not challenging the forward run by the visitors, who took advantage and scored within the first fifteen seconds. Stanway attacked again and Josh Richardson did well to head off the line a minute later. Soon it was 2-0. Melford pushed forward and a free kick by Skipper was comfortably gathered by the Stanway keeper. A quick break by Stanway caught the Melford defence for the third goal. A neat lob made it 4-0 and Barker was unlucky for the fifth, saving brilliantly from a fierce shot which rebounded to a Stanway forward to tap in. Number six was questionable as Barker looked to be clattered in the challenge, and there was another before half time. Again, Barker was called on to make three saves in the same goalmouth scramble to keep the score at 7-0.

Just before half time Bradley O�Hair took a knock which didn�t respond to treatment, and although he came out for the second half, had to retire within a couple of minutes. This was immediately after Stanway had scored number eight. With no subs, Melford then had to play the whole second half with ten players. This is when Melford begun to play with a bit more determination and George Skipper, our centre forward, was taking goalkicks - when he followed out of defence he got stuck in in midfield, and Josh Richardson made his tackles count. A change of keeper to give Barker some time on the pitch gave us some bite at the back.

Melford held out a lot better but couldn�t stop a twisting, turning run by a Stanway player and he blasted high into the roof of the net from 10 yards. 9-0. The last goal followed but Dan Knowles scored with a tap in near the end. Dan deserved his goal, he worked tirelessly all game and was superb throughout. Richardson showed great spirit by playing on when he should have come off after a hefty challenge.

Despite the heavy defeat, Melford always looked to play their passing game going forward and did cause some problems when they had possession. Jamie Hicks and Billy Prall did well in midfield, but although Melford were outclassed and out paced, this was a gutsy performance where they tried to the end. We were all proud of the attitude shown in the second half.

We went into this last game of the year having not played since November due to the weather. Today we had near perfect conditions � dry, sunny, level pitch. However, we were without 3 players, including Liam our keeper. Myles Barker started off between the sticks, Dan �chopper� Aldous taking over at half time.

Brightlingsea began quickly and put us under pressure from the off and after 5 minutes went in front when Myles came to dive bravely at feet to stop a shot, but the rebound was side footed home unchallenged. 5 minutes later and it was 2-0 when the home side scored direct from a corner. Another corner 2 minutes later saw another free header make it 3-0.

Melford now started to play with more determination, and some good tackles and link play down the right resulted in a cross finding Patrick Halliday beyond the far post. He retrieved the ball, finding George Skipper with a good pass and George made no mistake to make it 3-1. For the rest of the half Melford played with more belief and some good passes between Billy Prall and Dan Knowles opened up the Brightlingsea defence, but we just couldn�t find the final ball. Myles had to make a superb save at the near post to keep us in the game at half time.

The second half saw us have more possession overall, and our challenges in the tackle were stronger. Josh Richardson, playing his first competitive game for us, made sure of his tackles and thwarted several attacks. Myles Barker was busy at left midfield and Jordan Gates tackled strongly and laid the ball off well. But we had our usual problem of not challenging in the air and standing off too much, allowing Brightlingsea too much space and time on the ball.

Dan Aldous reacted quickly when Brightlingsea hit a post � Dan smothered the rebound. The home side were allowed a free shot from 18 yards, which again hit the post. At the other end Billy found Dan Knowles with an inch perfect pass but his shot was turned away for a corner. Melford were still very much in the game at this point but a contentious penalty against us effectively killed the game off.

Soon after a long range free kick made it 5-1. Brightlingsea were back on top now and hit a post and the bar in the same attack. Melford continued to play great passing football going forward and when Billy found Dan Knowles again with a lovely through ball Dan took it on with a couple of touches before scoring with a delightful lob over the advancing keeper.

The difference was soon restored when a Brightlingsea throw found an unmarked player who was left with an easy shot to make it 6-2.There was still time for Dan Aldous to make a couple of good saves but was left exposed by his outfield players and could do nothing about the last goal.

Bradley O�Hair and Ollie King deserve a mention for their contributions as does Mackenzie Gooch in his comeback game from illness.

Melford began this game looking to avenge the defeat on the opening day of the season. The early exchanges were even, with Earls Colne probably having more possession, but with Melford defending very well. Liam Jee in the Melford goal was called on to dive low to save at his near post. Earls Colne then hit the bar, and the shot from the rebound was taken very well by Jee. After 25 minutes Colne were allowed to shoot and the shot took a wicked deflection, which wrong footed Jee to start the scoring.

Shortly afterwards Colne were awarded a penalty when Myles Barker was adjudged to have bundled a Colne player over. Jee saved the spot kick but the loose ball was fired home to make it 2-0.The second half started with Melford playing with more determination. However Colne broke away down the right, crossing the ball to an unmarked player whose weak shot squirmed under Jee, 3-0.

Melford continued to play good passing football, and when Jordan Gates won the ball in midfield with a strong tackle, he took it forward, threaded it through to Joseph Salter whose determined run down the right ended with a great cross which George Skipper met robustly and powered the ball into the roof of the net. Melford seemed to wake up and pushed forward into the Colne penalty area, but failed to score somehow following a scramble in the goalmouth when they couldn't quite find a shot. From this action Colne broke away and caught Melford who had pushed up on the attack, and found the net to make it 4-1.

Melford were now playing some good football; good passes between Billy Prall, Dan Knowles and Skipper caused problems for Colne. When the Colne keeper took a poor goalkick he found Prall, who took it forward, and poked home under pressure from the keeper and a defender. Despite further pressure Melford couldn't reduce the arrears any further but deserved more from this game. Patrick Halliday had a good game at left mid, Bradley O'Hair and Matt Coll played very well at full backs, and Jamie Hicks did well, playing calm and confidentally. Liam Jee had a very good game in goal and once again, Ollie King was commanding at the back.

If we could just sort out challenging in midfield we would do ourselves more justice, because we play far better than a team at the foot of the league.

Melford attacked from the whistle and within two minutes had the first attempt on goal when a long throw from Captain Jordan Gates found Myles Barker. His shot was blocked, the loose ball falling to Billy Prall who blasted just over. Melford had a lot of the early possession and after 10 minutes Barker headed narrowly over. A couple of minutes later and another long throw by Gates again found Barker who headed across goal for Prall to smash home.

A good exchange between Prall and Dan Knowles produced a shot which the keeper spilled and after a scramble, Salter poked the home to make it 2-0. Melford had looked quite comfortable at this point, but lost concentration a bit and TPY launched a speculative lob from outside the area which dropped just under the bar to pull the score back.

Melford were now on the back foot and TPY equalised 5 minutes before half time when they broke from deep in their own half, catching Melford short at the back. There was still time in the half for Liam Jee to save at the feet of the charging player, and to escape going behind when TPY blasted over the bar.

Keeper Jee had to come off at half time with an injury, so Dan Aldous went in goal. He made a string of saves, diving at feet, tipping over from close range and saving a penalty 10 minutes into the half. TPY finally managed to beat him with what turned out to be the winner a few minutes later. Aldous then swapped with Myles Barker in goal and Melford went looking for the equaliser. New boy Josh Richardson gave an excellent account of himself in defence beside the ever impressive Ollie King, and another boy on trial was Tom Kirk, putting his left foot to good use up front for the first half and at left mid for the second.

George Skipper was very lively in the second half, on for Joseph Salter, and caused the visitors some problems with some good first touches and shielding of the ball. Daniel Knowles was very determined and had a very good game, heading the ball more times in one game than he has all season. Matt Coll had a good game at right back, trying to use the ball intelligently but took a knock near the end and had to come off.

This was another game where Melford deserved more than they got, having dominated large chunks of the match with their possession and passing. The game began with an early Boadicea attack being thwarted by a brave dive at feet by Melford keeper Liam Jee. Melford then settled and for the most part had more of the ball, with chances even at both ends. Bradley O'Hair was determined at left back and managed to put the ball out for a corner following a scramble in the Melford goalmouth. At the other end Melford went close when Billy Prall back - headed a throw into the area and Dan Knowles hit it first time but it looped over the bar.

Against the run of play, Boadicea attacked and a shot from outside the area saw Jee dive to his right; it looked like he had aniticipated right but the strong wind and a bad bounce whipped it over him to put Melford behind. This didn't deter Melford and they carried on, with George Skipper busy up front closing down and Joseph Salter chasing hard. Melford went in at the break 2-0 down after another soft goal on the break.

Melford carried on playing their passing game but another breakaway goal saw a cross from the right find a Boadicea player volley on the run giving Jee no chance. Melford got straight back into it and were very unlucky when Ollie King's superb free kick found Patrick Halliday, causing problems for the Boadicea right back, managed to fire a shot which was turned round the post by the keeper.Jee again dived at feet to deny Boadicea but couldn't stop the fourth right near the end.

After the game the Boadicea manager spoke to our boys and admitted we were the better side. The difference between the teams was that the home side took their chances and we didn't. Melford needed a bit of luck at times when the ball didn't quite fall for them. A break and a bit of confidence would do wonders for the boys and they do deserve more out of these games. Hopefully we can reverse this result when we play them in the cup.

This bottom of the table clash presented Melford with an opportunity to lift themselves off the bottom if they could beat Lawford. This was not to be as the usual pattern of Melford�s play once again proved to be not good enough. Melford always look good in possession, and also going forward, but when teams attack, especially on the break, they look vulnerable. This was the case again in this match.

The game began with an early Lawford attack being cleared by the Melford defence. The clearance found Jordan Gates in midfield who confidently pushed the ball around his marker, ran the other side, picked the ball up and fed it through to George Skipper whose effort went just wide. Another superb move by Melford involving Gates, Billy Prall and Skipper ended with another shot just wide of the post. Myles Barker, in goal for Melford was superb and made a great stop from a fierce shot.

The game was fairly even up until the twentieth minute when Melford allowed a player to shoot unchallenged from just inside the penalty area, the ball finding the bottom corner of the net. Minutes later Barker came out to meet an oncoming Lawford striker and bravely dived at his feet to smother the ball. Two minutes later and a penalty was awarded to Lawford for a challenge by Aldous which was harsh to say the least. The spot kick was converted for 2-0.Melford heads dropped a little and felt that they were hard done by � a combination of bad luck and poor refereeing doesn�t help when you�re already struggling. A Lawford corner just before half time resulted in another goal.

Five minutes into the second half and Melford went further behind. Some of the Melford started to play with a bit more commitment, possibly spurred on by the behaviour of a couple of the Lawford players � spitting at our lads seemed to fire them up a bit but why do teams feel the need to do that? This is the third team we have played this season to do this. When brought to the referees attention he was unwilling to do anything about it so it will probably continue.

Melford pushed forward and a great move between Prall and Dan Knowles saw Knowles� cross volleyed on the run by Prall to bring the score back to 4-1. Melford had a bit more purpose but switched off again and allowed the influential Lawford midfielder to run from the halfway line, down the right, cut in and blast his shot over Barker for 5-1. Prall got another from a corner which had been well won after a great linking move between Gates, Prall and Knowles. Prall nearly got his hat trick right at the end but his effort was just wide.

Ollie King in defence had a fantastic game, all the boys put effort in at times, but need to commit to the whole 70 minutes if they are going to get anything from the season. I know young referees are learning their trade and I always give the benefit of the doubt but indecisive refereeing spoiled this game.

With three players away on half term holiday Melford could only field the bare eleven players, but they played with great determination. In fact they dominated the first 15 minutes; this opening period was played almost entirely in the Colchester half. Melford�s passing, tackling and movement was absolutely superb with Jamie Hicks calm and controlled at right back. George Skipper was on fire as he caused problems for Colchester with his chasing and first touch, passing and movement. The visitors began to settle down and took a bit more control of the game and after a goalmouth scramble fired over the bar. When Colchester broke through again, they looked likely to score, having only keeper Liam Jee to beat but he spread himself at the feet of the attacking player and superbly blocked the shot. The first half was fairly even in terms of possession and chances and Melford did not look like a side that should be rooted at the bottom of the table. After the break it was more of the same and Colchester gave away a few free kicks for pushing. One such kick on the corner of the penalty area saw Skipper unleash a rocket just inside the near post for 1-0.

Athletic pushed forward and pressured Melford and on 48 minutes equalised when confusion in the Melford defence saw them fail to clear and Colchester scored a soft goal. The visitors were fired up now and pressed forward again, winning a corner. When the cross came in the ball was handled by one of the attacking players which the referee was unsighted for. Melford pressed the self destruct button by appealing for handball and not playing to the whistle, allowing Colchester to score to take the lead. Soon after keeper Jee got a hand to a shot which bent his thumb back and he had to come off. Dan Aldous deputised for the last few miniutes. Melford threw everyone forward in a last attempt to equalise from a couple of corners but the gamble didn�t pay off. Colchester broke clear and there was no defence to stop the third goal right at the end. This was a disappointment not to get something from the game because the boys were worth a draw. The spirit they showed was fantastic; it was great to see players like Bradley O�Hair playing with real confidence. All the players did really well, particularly Jamie Hicks, George Skipper and Ollie King. Liam Jee�s confidence should be growing as he kept Melford in the game a couple of times.

Moreton Hall started the game with 10 players and immediately attacked the Melford goal, forcing two good saves from new Melford keeper Liam Jee in the first 30 seconds. Moreton Hall�s midfield proved a handful from the off and after 6 minutes powered through for the first goal. Their pace and strength pressurised Melford constantly and by the 18^th minute were 3-0 up. Melford�s usual pattern of playing well going forward was evident and they tried to settle. Around the 20^th minute a Moreton Hall player attempted to head the ball low to the ground, and got caught by Skipper�s challenge resulting in a cut to his head. He was unable to continue and went off to hospital. Now playing against 9 players Melford had a bit more space and time on the ball but there still wasn�t a huge advantage.

Melford were awarded a penalty after 25 minutes which the keeper saved, but Myles Barker followed up and scored to make it 3-1. A spell of pressure by Melford forced 2 corners in quick succession, the second Billy Prall headed just wide. Billy was unlucky again 2 minutes later when his shot went just over the bar. At the other end, Moreton hit the bar and soon after were awarded a free kick which was superbly struck from 25 yards giving Liam no chance. Another goal was added just before half time, 5-1.

At this point Melford were still in the game as their passing play was working well. Mackenzie Gooch was brought on at half time to man mark one of the danger men and made things difficult for him. Melford continued to work and Dan Knowles made a good run down the right, crossing well but the effort was cleared off the line. A corner soon after was converted by Joseph Salter to make it 5-2 ,but this was quickly cancelled out by a corner at the other end taking the score to 6-2. Two more goals made it 8-2. When Moreton burst through Liam found himself in a one on one with the advancing striker and did enough to force him to shoot wide. Melford were awarded a free kick which Ollie King took well, finding Joseph again who slotted home for 8-3. However, within a minute Melford allowed the opposition to walk through and score, and four minutes later, right near the end, conceded the 10^th goal.

On paper this looks like a very poor result given that MHYFC played most of the game with only 9 players, but they were very fast and powerful. Melford played good football at times and pleasing performances came from George Skipper, Jordan Gates, Joseph Salter and Matt Coll. Billy Prall worked hard and despite the scoreline, Liam Jee in goal had a good game � he will improve and will be an asset to the team.

This was generally a good game but was marred by a couple of unsavoury incidents. Harwich put Melford under pressure from the kick off and the first 20 minutes was played mainly in the Melford half. Having said that, Melford defended well and Myles Barker had a great game in goal, tipping a couple of long range shots over and closing down quickly. Harwich always looked dangerous on the break and could have been in front at half time but for some poor finishing.

After 25 minutes Harwich went ahead when allowed to strike from the edge of the area low into the corner. Melford responded well and very determined chasing by George Skipper proved fruitful when he clashed with the Harwich keeper, the loose ball falling to Dan Knowles to slot home to level the scores. Treatment was need for both players, the keeper being replaced.

At half time, Melford, still without a regular keeper, switched Dan Aldous to keeper and Barker up front. The play followed the same pattern with Melford under a lot of pressure. Good team work between Knowles, Skipper and Billy Prall caused problems when going forward but the Harwich midfield and defence kept them at bay. Half way through the second half a couple of Melford attacks broke down and the subsequent breakaways made the score 3-1.

Then Jordan Gates was judged to have handled in the area and a penalty was given. However, Gates took a stud to his ankle in the challenge and had to come off for treatment. Harwich scored from the spot, but a minute later a foul was given against Barker and the Harwich player decided to take his own action as well by punching Barker in the face. A straight red card was shown, and Barker had to have treatment for a split lip.

Near the end of the game Ollie King�s knee gave out and Barker bravely replaced him. Harwich added one more to make it 5-1. Melford took a few knocks in this game but battled well and shouldn�t be too hard on themselves for losing the game.

Melford were down to the bare 11 players for this match but went into it with a degree of confidence following last week�s performance against Halstead. Melford went behind after a spell of early pressure by Brightlingsea, when poor marking allowed a shot which found the target after 8 minutes. Melford responded well and a run on the right by Dan Knowles gave him the chance to cross, finding Myles Barker beyond the far post. Myles headed it back into the box for George Skipper but his effort was just wide.

At the other end Brightlingsea continued to look dangerous and Dan Aldous in the Melford goal came out to narrow the angle, forcing the shot wide. Soon after Melford went further behind but kept their heads up and battled hard to keep in the game. Pressing forward they managed to get into the penalty area, the ball falling to Skipper who blasted home from 12 yards to make it 2-1. However, a lack of concentration in the midfield left players unmarked and it wasn�t long before Melford were 5-1 down.

Heads were low at half time but Melford came out with a better attitude for the second half. A bit of determination saw Joseph Salter latch onto Jordan Gates�s throw, take on a couple of defenders and get one back, 5-2. Three minutes later and a scramble after a Brightlingsea corner saw a weak shot hit the post and trickle in. Brightlingsea scored again after Ollie King was bundled over but the referee saw nothing wrong.

Despite this, Melford were now playing with a bit more passion and created a chance for Skipper who had a great chance but his shot from the edge of the area was wide of the open goal. A great move by Melford involving Gates, Salter, and Patrick Halliday was finished by Dan Knowles to make the score 7-3. Melford were spurred on by this and Skipper�s long range effort just whistled over. Melford were hit on the break again and the Regents� pace beat the defence , 8-3.

Myles Barker, in goal for the second half made some good saves and the best was a fierce shot from close range. At the other end another chance was created when Slater crossed but Knowles could only head wide. The scoring was completed right on the whistle for the end of the game.

Melford were disappointing in the first half but better in the second. However with only eleven players it was hard to keep going on a very hot day. Solid performances were put in by Skipper, improving all the time, and King, Gates and Aldous. Bradley O�Hair tried really hard and is learning his full back role well.

Melford lost keeper Dan Aldous in the warm up so Myles Barker stood in at the last minute. He was called upon as early as the first minute, blocking a fierce shot, and then again a minute later he made a great save at point blank range. Play was fairly even when after about six minutes Melford pushed forward but the attack broke down; Halstead, breaking from defence played the ball forward quickly and the pace of their forward beat the defence. Myles again blocked the shot but this time the rebound was headed home.

Three minutes later and another breakaway attack by Halstead saw Myles again make a good save but could only watch as the rebound was tapped home. Melford continued with their passing game and didn�t allow their heads to drop, pressurising Halstead and caused a few problems for the home side. However despite some good work in front of goal they couldn�t quite make the final ball count. Halstead hit the post at the other end, and another break saw them increase their lead to 3-0. Just before half time Melford won a free kick and Billy Prall�s header was tapped home by Joseph Salter.

After the break Halstead tried to increase their lead but some shocking finishing saw several chances go begging. Melford were enjoying the game despite being behind and a real sense of team spirit was evident. The defence were working well together with Matt Coll playing superbly at right back, and Bradley O�Hair having a great game at unfamiliar left back.

Good passing movement between Dan Knowles, MacKenzie Gooch, and Joseph Salter created a chance which went just wide. At the other end Myles stopped another shot but again the loose ball was put into the net for 4-1. With ten minutes to go Melford won a free kick just outside the area which Ollie King took and made the most of the slope by scoring with a superb shot.

Melford played really well and deserved for the scoreline to be closer. They prevented Halstead from playing their usual game by closing down early, being strong on the ball and in challenges, and being determined. Their heads did not drop at all and they enjoyed the game which was good to see. Keep it up, boys!

After a successful pre-season run Melford expected to do better than this. Although they started brightly, they did allow Colne an early chance when a long range effort went just wide. When Ollie King�s corner found Billy Prall�s head just 8 minutes into the game to make it 1-0 we felt confident our run would continue. However, within a minute Colne were level after playing the ball through from the kick off, unchallenged by the midfield, and determined tackling won the ball from a Melford defender which was finished off with a fine shot over Max�s head.

Earls Colne continued to press forward and Joseph Salter had to make a goal line clearance. Soon after, Colne went ahead following a scramble in the goalmouth. A tactical change saw us settle a little and went in at the break 2-1 down. Dan Aldous went in goal to allow Max out on pitch. He soon had to make a good first save but a Colne player was on hand to knock in the loose ball. At the other end a good exchange between Billy and Dan Knowles saw Dan cross the ball for the over-stretching Patrick Halliday who couldn�t quite reach to make contact.

When Dan Aldous spilled the ball under pressure Colne made it 4-1. Melford heads were down by now, and despite Billy hitting the post never really looked like getting back into the game. With 10 minutes left Colne put the game beyond all doubt.

It was hard to believe this was the same team that played last week; we were way below our best and did not perform as a team. Despite the scoreline the best performances came from the defence of Ollie King, Jamie Hicks, Dan Aldous and Matt Coll. Joesph Salter worked hard in mid- field but overall we just didn�t gel like we have in our friendlies.