Since I last updated this page of the website the first team have been in good form, picking up 12 points from 6 matches, scoring 14 goals and only conceding 8. The only defeats in that spell came away to Whitton and Saffron Walden who are both pushing for promotion.

Under normal circumstances a 4-0 win against your local rivals would be cause for jubilation but Saturday's derby against AFC Reserves was in truth a damp squib. The visitors were missing nearly all of their regular players and took to the field with an outfield player in goal. So whatever Melford did they were never going to emerge from the contest with much credit. A win would be seen as a hollow victory. A draw or defeat would look disastrous.

Sometimes in football the days when you're expected to win comfortably can end up being harder than the tough matches when you have nothing to lose. But it turned out to be a straightforward win for Melford who were never at their best but were had too much experience for a young and inexperienced AFC side.

Supporters' Player of the Season voting took place at Saturday's match and we had a good turnout of around 30 regulars casting their vote, the winner will be announced on the website in the next few days and the trophy will be presented before kick off at the last home match of the season.

The Reserves have seen their league form drop off as a result of rarely having full squads available and at any level once you're playing with 9 or 10 men it's always going to be an uphill struggle. Bigger clubs than Melford have endured the same problem this season, so it's not a big surprise to see it happening here. But by the sounds of it Saturday's match at league leaders Hadleigh went very well, with Addy Roy scoring twice in a 2-2 draw.

A second half Harry Liskus equaliser earned the U18s a point at Clacton on Thursday, their next match is away to Wivenhoe tomorrow (Wednesday).