Match Report - 22 April 2017

The Villagers upped their performance for this crucial game and in the end they gained a fully justified victory, that will retain their Thurlow Nunn Premier Division status for next season.

In the opening fifteen minutes chances came thick and fast at both ends, Scott Sloots blazed wide for Melford and at the other goal Jamie Thompson screwed his effort well wide for the Norfolk team. Good chances came for both teams but in a scrappy start to the game finished efforts were of poor quality.

Hassan Ally was a constant threat to the Swaffham defence, while the visitors' 25-goal ace forward Alex Vincent was well shackled by Melford defender Dan Smith.

On 41 minutes Melford went ahead with a goal of the greatest quality. Scott Sloots with the outside of his right boot from the Melford left flank hooked the ball to the Swaffham far post and there was HASSAN ALLY diving on the run to head the ball home. They do not get much better than that.

Just on the half time whistle Nick Castellan almost levelled for the visitors but Melford keeper Darren Moyes dived full length to push the ball round the post. 

The second half belonged to Melford, playing at an increased tempo they always looked likely to increase their lead. A header from Melford central defender Steve Adams hit the Swaffham post, followed by a shot from Will Wingfield that deflected off the cross bar.

The second goal duly arrived after 66 minutes when some great inter passing between Ally and Sloots saw the ball rolled into the path of ASHLEY SKEGGS who crashed the ball home from eight yards, another good quality goal.

The Norfolk team were not finished and only a great save by Moyes at the feet of Matt Blackford kept the score line intact for Melford. Towards the end of the game Alex Vincent sent two free kicks at the Melford goal one going wide and the other straight into the arms of Moyes in the Melford goal. 

On the final whistle the Melford supporters celebrated and the players were applauded off the pitch, the big drop had been avoided. CHENOBERET .

MELFORD: Darren Moyes, Dan Smith (84), Dan Swain, Jake Jackson, Steve Adams, Anthony Waugh, Hassan Ally (87), Reece Clarke, Ashley Skeggs, Scott Sloots, Will Wingfield 

Subs: Josh Collins (87), Michael Runicles (84)   not used: Steve Chisholm, Callum Hemson, Jamie Griffiths

• Last match of the season is away to Kirkley & Pakefield on Saturday (29 April).

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