Match Report v Brantham Athleltic (h) 2018/19

After their heavy defeat at Stowmarket on Saturday, Melford will have been pleased to rebound back with a close win and clean sheet against highly fancied Brantham, who narrowly avoided making further progress in the FA Cup on Saturday. 

Within the opening minute Melford had an excellent chance, a long throw from David Lopez found Will Wingfield, and his shot on the turn was saved by Brantham keeper Luke Avenell. 

Despite the excellent conditions for football, the game lacked any real flow, not helped by a succession of niggly fouls breaking up the play. 

Neither side created clear-cut chances but Melford's Nathan Rowe came closest with an excellent shot, whilst at the other end Brantham forced three corners in five minutes and from one of them George Clarke had his shot deflected, for yet another corner. 

Five minutes before half time Will Wingfield looked destined to be in on goal, but was fouled by the last man Will Crissell on the edge of the penalty area. The Brantham defender was shown a yellow card when most watching anticipated a red. The resultant free kick from Pablo Chaves was well saved by Luke Avenell in the Brantham goal. 

The second half continued in the same vein with attacks at both ends but no real goal scoring chances. 

The only goal of the match arrived for Melford after 54 minutes. A turn of pace from Pablo Chaves took him down the right flank and his low cross saw WILL CRISSELL deflect the ball into his own net. From the Melford perspective perhaps a bit of poetic justice.

Brantham then piled on the pressure looking for an equaliser but with Melford defending well, keeper Glen Morrison was not called into serious action until the last few minutes, making a fine save from Ed Nobbs tipping the ball on to the bar and out for a corner.

MELFORD: Glen Morrison, Sam Bayliss (83), Dan Swain, Elliot Walker, Steve Adams, Anthony Waugh, Hassan Ally (90), David Lopez, Will Wingfield (70), Pablo Chaves, Nathan Rowe

Subs: Callum Hemson (83), Andy Fisher (70), Sam Newton (90) not used: Aaron Pengelly, Sam Mansfield (gk)