Match Report - 17 April 2017
PICTURED: Hadleigh's James Ross under pressure from Sam Bayliss
(photo: Suffolk Free Press)
As this tense and competitive game drew to a close Melford snatched a dramatic winner in the 90th minute, a timely boost to their survival hopes.
The Villagers made a confident start and put the Hadleigh goal under constant pressure. A header from Steve Adams was pushed over the bar by keeper Sam Mansfield, then David Lorimer was upended in the box with the referee deeming it was not a penalty. Twice Sam Bayliss made the box but could not get in a shot to trouble Mansfield the visiting keeper.
After a slow start Hadleigh gradually found some cohesion and started to try to use the pace of star striker Kyle Cassell but the Melford defence had the threat under control. Five minutes before half time Cassell did get free behind the Melford back line but keeper Darren Moyes made a fine save. At the other end Lorimer had the ball in the net but was ruled as being offside.
It was Hadleigh who came out bright and lively for the second period, with Moyes making saves from Michael Barwick and Aaron Bull and then from a good position Cassell shot high and wide. At the other end Melford forced corners with Will Wingfield heading just wide from one of them.
Then it was heartache time for Melford after a poor pass back to keeper Moyes, MICHAEL BARWICK nipped in to intercept and then finish into the unguarded net.
The Villagers came back to level after 71 minutes when WILL WINGFIELD headed home Dan Swain's corner kick.
Chances fell at both ends with Moyes saving well to keep the score line intact first from Barwell and then a lob from Gary Burdett the Hadleigh central defender. Striving hard Melford forced a succession of corners with Steve Adams clearing the bar with a header.
Just as everyone had settled for a draw Melford snatched their valuable victory, a Dan Swain corner caused confusion in the Hadleigh box and STEVE ADAMS crashed the loose ball home from close range. CHENOBERET
MELFORD: Darren Moyes, Hassan Ally, Dan Swain, Jake Jackson, Steve Adams, Anthony Waugh, David Lorimer, Scott Sloots, Sam Bayliss (45), Ashley Skeggs, Will Wingfield (90)
Subs: Steve Chisholm (45), Josh Collins (90) not used: Dan Smith, Ryan Dewey, Jamie Griffiths
Latest Thurlow Nunn Premier Division Table
| P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mildenhall Town | 38 | 30 | 3 | 5 | 57 | 93 |
| 2 | Felixstowe & Walton United | 38 | 27 | 3 | 8 | 59 | 84 |
| 3 | Newmarket Town | 38 | 26 | 5 | 7 | 54 | 83 |
| 4 | Gorleston | 38 | 23 | 5 | 10 | 32 | 74 |
| 5 | Thetford Town | 40 | 18 | 11 | 11 | 29 | 65 |
| 6 | Stanway Rovers | 38 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 22 | 65 |
| 7 | Great Yarmouth Town | 38 | 18 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 62 |
| 8 | Saffron Walden Town | 38 | 15 | 10 | 13 | -1 | 55 |
| 9 | Brantham Athletic | 38 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 6 | 54 |
| 10 | Godmanchester Rovers | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 52 |
| 11 | Ipswich Wanderers | 38 | 16 | 4 | 18 | -8 | 52 |
| 12 | Kirkley & Pakefield | 38 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 11 | 50 |
| 13 | Ely City | 38 | 12 | 11 | 15 | -3 | 47 |
| 14 | Walsham le Willows | 38 | 13 | 7 | 18 | -17 | 46 |
| 15 | Fakenham Town | 38 | 12 | 6 | 20 | -16 | 42 |
| 16 | Haverhill Rovers | 37 | 10 | 10 | 17 | -15 | 40 |
| 17 | Long Melford | 38 | 10 | 7 | 21 | -33 | 37 |
| 18 | Hadleigh United | 38 | 9 | 8 | 21 | -31 | 35 |
| 19 | Wivenhoe Town | 37 | 7 | 12 | 18 | -35 | 33 |
| 20 | Swaffham Town | 38 | 6 | 8 | 24 | -51 | 26 |
| 21 | FC Clacton | 38 | 7 | 4 | 27 | -70 | 25 |
