Match Report v Wroxham

LONG MELFORD  0  WROXHAM  4

(Thurlow Nunn Premier, Sat 03 October)

After the evenly fought first half finished goalless, the league leaders from Norfolk took command in the second period to run out comfortable winners. 

Despite two days of persistent rain the Stoneylands pitch was in good condition and Melford started brightly with early corners by Dan Swain defended by the Wroxham defence. 

Melford created a good opening in the 11th minute, Archie Pether crossed for Jamie Griffiths who was unable to gather enough power in his shot and Ollie Sutton in the Wroxham goal made the routine save.

Gradually the visitors got a grip on the game with Harley Black a commanding figure in the midfield, and it took a fine point blank save from home keeper Matt Walker to keep the scores level. 

With expectations from locals that a draw might be on the cards at half time, Wroxham looked a far better team in the second period and Melford found it difficult to cope.

Ironically it was Melford who had a golden opportunity to take the lead, with several players queuing up to score in the Wroxham penalty area. But the chance went begging and the away side went straight down the end of the pitch to score the opening goal. 

A raking ball from defence found Ryan Miles with space down the Melford right flank and his cross came to BRAD SPOONER who hammered the ball home. 

It got worse pretty quickly for Melford a corner by Harley Black saw the unmarked central defender CHRIS SKIPPER head home with ease.

Wroxham's wide players Ryan Miles and Ismail Fatadjo were causing considerable problems for the Melford defence and a third goal soon arrived. A back peddling Melford defence allowed SHAUN TAYLOR space and time and he netted from the edge of the box on 66 minutes. 

In the 90th minute Wroxham's MATT WARD made it four from the angle. 

After the glamour and brilliance of the FA Cup run, there is a lot of hard work to be done at Melford. CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Matt Walker, Dan Smith, Will Wingfield, Jake Jackson (35 injured), Kieran Michaels, Sam Mills, Dan Swain (75), Jacob Brown, Ben Tait, Jamie Griffiths, Archie Pether (83) 

Subs used: Callum Hemson (75), Kyle Hurley (83), Nathan Rowe (35) 

Subs not used:  Steve Chisholm, Finlay Shorten (gk)  

Attendance: 80