Long Melford Football Club
Spring 2008
Recent match reports
3rd May 2008
Debenham LC FC 2 Long Melford 0
A goal in each half for the home team was enough to end the Melford purple patch and plant them as the League wooden spoonists at the the bottom of Division 1. After the recent good results the Villagers looked a little under par against the powerful home side who earlier in the season had looked like title contenders.
It was the home team who took the honours early on with Taylor-Holt heading past the Melford upright and Crissell managing to block an effort from Barker. After 24 minutes Debenham went ahead. Following a corner the ball was launched into the Melford box and ex-Melford player POWLING headed into the net, injuring himself in the process. Only some good defending prevented the lead being increased with Adams stretching well to deter Abbott who was through on goal and then keeper Croll excelling to stop with his feet an effort from Barker. Then it was a period of Melford taking the control , a freekick from Skeggs,who had an excellent game, was hooked just wide by Bull, and a minute later another Skeggs cross was headed inches wide by Crissell.
The pressure was extended by Melford from the second half kickoff a snap shot from Bull was pushed over the bar by keeper Ellis, and from the Grindrod corner Adams put his header just over the bar. It was all Melford now, with Skeggs threading a pass to Grindrod who in front of goal hurried his shot and put it wide. Soaking up the pressure, it was the home team who broke on 61 minutes with Kemp capitalising on room down the right flank. His cross found JOPLING who sidefooted home from close range. Play swung to the other end and from a freekick Grindrod put his well-connected effort wide of the Debenham goal . Again it was keeper Croll who rescued Melford when he dived at the feet of Abbott who was through on the Melford goal. Despite forcing two corners Melford were unable to impact on the scoreline and ended the season with a defeat.
MELFORD : Croll, Cawtheray, Grimster, Brind, Adams, Crissell, Grindrod, Jack Taylor,(66) Bull, (71) Skeggs, Chisholm
subs : Budgen,(71) Wilson,(66) Swain
26th April 2008
Thetford Town 2 Long Melford 2
With keeper Floyd Croll away on family business and five players injured, Melford had to dig deep to field a team. Despite this the recent revival for Melford continued and although The Villagers rode their luck at times they came very close to snatching all the points.
It was Melford who started the chances when Grindrod flashed in a cross that keeper Terry failed to deal with and the ball went out of play with no Melford player being able to make contact. The home team responded with Pask shooting wide when the ball had jumped from the hands of Melford Youth keeper Mansfield and a minute later Mann had a similar chance but stabbed his effort wide also. The injury jinx struck for Melford on 24 minutes when striker Danny Manser was stretchered off to hospital with suspected torn ligaments., his replacement Budgen making an instant impact by shooting just wide with his first touch.
Melford took the lead in glorious style just before the interval, when JACK TAYLOR drove the ball home from 36yards giving keeper Terry no chance. This was almost repeated on the halftime whistle, when a Grindrod piledriver was pushed over the bar by keeper Terry.
The home team started to control the game in the second period with Melford seemingly dropping off their game Some excellent work by Mann saw his hard low shot held at the foot of the post by the Melford keeper and then a fierce drive from Bellingham was pushed over the bar by the young Melford keeper. On sixty one minutes Thetford levelled, with Holt running some thirty yards without challenge, his perfect pass finding MANN who casually side footed the ball into the Melford net.
The Melford goal was now under pressure with Adams heading off the line an effort from Bellingham and the another shot from Pask was deflected for a corner. Weathering the pressure Melford broke and two good chances came their way, keeper Terry making a point blank save from Taylor and Skeggs putting the rebound wide of the upright. Soon after this it looked as Melford would go ahead; some neat work by Skeggs put Taylor through on goal but home keeper Terry came out to block the shot. A fine point blank effort.
Play went to the other end with Bellingham shooting wide when he should have scored and then an effort from Mann hit the post but jumped into the arms of keeper Mansfield. Five minutes from the end and Melford thought they had bagged the points; a neat passing movement between Skeggs and Owens played in CHISHOLM and his shot deflected off the advancing keeper into the net. Just as everyone made for the exits,the home team levelled in controversial circumstances. A free kick was floated into the Melford goal; keeper Mansfield collected under his bar with challenge from three Thetford players, and as a result of contact ended up in the net with the ball. Despite the Melford protests, for which skipper Skeggs was booked, the referee deemed it was a fair goal. Then came the final whistle.
For Melford so close but so far!!
MELFORD ; Mansfield, Durell,(67) Grindrod, Brind, Adams, Crissell, Skeggs, Jack Taylor, Manser,(24) Daw, (79) Chisholm,
subs : Budgen(24) Luke Simpson, (67) Owens(79)
20th April 2008
Can I assure readers that these notes are being written in Long Melford and not being ghosted elsewhere, I take this precaution because after last Saturdays game against Whitton when after filing ,as I have done all the season the Match report with the Greenun, upon purchase and reading my issue on Sunday I noticed the report had no resemblance to that filed by this writer. I always thought, however minor this aggravation might seem to some, that protocols did exist whereby unless the home Club had "no reporter",then "ghost" reporters would in the interest of good practice and courtesy to the Home Club, keep their ink dry on the day, anyway to have two reports filed is both a waste of time and resource for all involved, so please note this Mr? Ghost Writer. from wherever you come from
The report on the day did not coincide entirely with the view of this writer and the many others at the match. Although this was Whitton" Reserve" team as some of their supporters indicated ,and they were minus some of their "superstars" they were keen to grab all the points with an outside chance that still remained of promotion. It was not to be,the Melford team to a man fought with spirit and endeavour, with both keepers making some good saves and some resolute defending from both teams the zero draw was overall a fair reflection of the game, and shows that over the last few weeks that confidence can make such a difference to this young Melford team.
The report also omitted to mention the two tackles in the dying minutes which produced yellow cards for Whitton players,(one lucky not to be red) one of which put Danny Statham out of the game and onto the injured list.and hopefully with not too much time off work. however this now means that Melford now have six first team players sidelined through injury Perhaps the game itself was not the main talking point as in the week following the filing of Club notes Chris Tracey accepted the post of the Stanway Rovers Manager. Greatly disappointing for all at Melford, but depite that the ex AFC Sudbury stalwart leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Long Melford.
So one door closes and the other one has not quite opened for Melford, the Board have wisely left the decision of Manager in abeyance until the end of the season with Paul Grainger assisted by Reserve manager Ryan Owens in charge for the final games. They will hopefully make the Managerial decision before the players depart for their short break, as this team despite the overall struggle have great potential for next season and already most of them have had illegal? approaches from reps of another Club trying to convince them that Melford is a footballing graveyard. hopefully despite that distraction most the current team will want to start again next season at Stoneylands. Everyone at Long Melford would like to place on record their appreciation of the excellent work by Andy Cussans and his team on the fine programme and website that we have at Long Melford Football Club the programme is to the highest standard and the website is active ,up to date, and the envy of many. Well done to you all! Today we are at Thetford and the last game next week will be at Debenham. CHENOBERET
19th April 2008
Both teams were minus players through injury, and Melford were also without Player Manager Chris Tracey.who had left to take over as Manager at Stanway Rovers during the week. The home team were out to prove themselves after a recent midweek mauling at Whitton when they were thrashed 6....0 by the Ipswich team. Overall the zero draw was a fair reflection of the game,with neither side carving out any real chances.
The game started with Daw shooting wide for Melford, and then for a period the game was fought in midfield with neither side able to complete the crucial final ball. A golden chance came to Whitton after eleven minutes,the Melford defence failed to shut down Canfer who was allowed time and space, but shot tamely at keeper Croll when it looked easier to score. At the other end Melford responded with Grimster heading a Grindrod freekick just over the bar,followed by a Manser lob which keeper Moyes dealt with easily. With fifteen minutes left on the clock,play was held up for treatment to Whitton defender Reece who fell awkwardly after a challenge,and he was eventually stetchered off to Hospital with a hip injury.. The game continued from end to end with Melford coming closest when Skeggs put a freekick two feet over the bar.
The second period started much the same as the first half with keeper Moyes clutching an effort from Statham whilst at the other end the home keeper Croll fisted away a freekick from Clarke. This proved to be the best period for Whitton with Player Manager Thompson coming on to push his side for a victory. and so it continued with Brown bringing out a diving save from the Melford custodian,and Thompson through on goal putting his effort halfway to Glemsford when again it looked easier to score. After this period of hectic defending Melford came back and a corner from Statham was headed just over the bar by Grindrod. Six minutes from time and the Melford team and supporters were more than bemused, a two footed challenge from Cunningham left Statham writhing on the ground, the Melford midfielder taking no further part and left the field for the first aid room. Rather surprisingly the referee found the challenge was in the yellow card bracket rather than red, and Cunningham did not get an early shower. Action continued at both end but no goals and in the end it was about the right result. For Melford the skilful Danny Brind was the Man of the Match. MELFORD Croll, Durell, Grimster, Statham,(84) Crissell, Daw,(80) Chisholm, Brind, Manser,(86) Skeggs, Grindrod, subs Bull,(84) Clark,(80) Jack Taylor(86)
13th April 2008
What a great afternoon for all those from Melford at Diss Town last Saturday. An excellent win against a promotion chasing team. some very well worked goals and three points for Chris Tracey on his 1000 th game at this level of football. It was a great gesture by the team to form a "guard of honour" for Chris as he left the pitch. Everyone played well for Melford but without doubt Chris Tracey was monumental on the day, like a rock in defence he capped that off by contributing to three of the goals,from everyone at Melford well done team and Chris in particular.
The game itself saw the home team mainly in command for the first thirty minutes, but after Melford had levelled they had an even share of the play. Again during the second half Melford lost momentum and Diss came close, but a combination of good keeping by Floyd Croll, some determined defending and some pretty poor finishing saw Melford stay in the game. After taking the lead, Melford could well have taken the tally to six,but on the day they will have been well satisfied with the four.
It was particularly pleasing for the Club, as again, as earlier in the season, the management and Club had come in for some external anonymous sniping on the Club website. That seems to be a common feature these days on all websites and it does make you wonder whilst although freedom of thought is totally applauded, whether the negative aspects of website forums are of any real benefit to the Clubs who have them. Anyway it was good to see that all the players came to the defence of the management making various postings,one can only assume that some of these more unwelcome comments come from players who have left and feel that perhaps there own high opinions on how good they were as players were not shared by the management.!!
On the debit side last Saturday the Reserves lost to Stanway Reserves by 6 goals to 2,with Manager Ryan Owens getting on the scoring act for Melford. Today we will be entertaining Whitton hoping to get something back after taking a six goal hammering the other week and next Saturday we travel to Thetford Town and for the final game to Debenham CHENOBERET
9th April 2008
After getting their first point in a run of thirteen games, the unaware visitor may have thought Melford had won a Cup at the end of ninety minutes,such was the relief and joy after coming so close but finishing so far from the moment in a number of games, one could understand the sheer joy of the moment for Traceys Teenies. This also marked the first point under Chris Tracey,who if he plays at Diss today will have clocked up his 1000th game in Senior football; a fairly remarkable feat for the 38 year old. . . and a testimony to his dedication to the Local game. Speaking to the Melford boss he said "To get a point was marvellous. The boys have all worked very hard for this over the past few weeks, achieved in the last minute after going behind 2..1 with minutes left of the game, against a much stronger Yarmouth team now under the direction of Dale Gordon. It bodes well for the future if we can keep these boys together we will go places next season".
The Villagers had Ez Durell back from restrictive work rotas, the returning from injury Danny Brind scored a fine goal and coming off the bench Steve Chisholm scored an excellent winner. The only downside was the injury sustained by the promising Luke Bennett who came into contact with the external perimeter concrete path and gashed his leg requiring six stitches at the Hospital, which means he is likely to be out for the rest of the season.
Although the Reserves were without a game it was good to see many of them at the game supporting their first team colleagues. On Tuesday at Whitton , the situation was totally reversed with Melford being hit for six by the rampant home team althought for short periods Melford played well, the home team proved too strong and experienced. Perhaps we can get our act together for the game at Diss Town today.
As this season moves to a close we are now preparing for the next one,friendly matches are being looked at for July when we will be inviting any aspiring Ridgeon players for trials.If you are interested just email the Club your details or if not contact Chairman Alf on SUDBURY 372966 and he will pass your names onto the Managers. Whilst we can still do with some matchday helpers,we also need a first aider/physio for the first team so if you can help please contact Chairman Alf as above. Next Saturday we entertain Whitton in our last home game 3pm kick off., CHENOBERET
The web site for the club is now at
For information about the village of Long Melford (including What's On, and contacts for local shops, hotels, other businesses, clubs and societies, see the main village web site, of which this football club site was once a part.)