Three second-half goals from Abbott and a brace from Rowe
saw Long Melford beat AFC Sudbury Reserves/Under-21s 3-1 at the MEL Group
Stadium.
Straight from the kick-off, the Villagers set up an attack
with Durey who set up Bayliss, with his shot deflected away by the AFC defence.
Scott Barnes was booked in the 22nd minute after
two consecutive fouls.
In the 24th minute, Wingfield was sent into the
box, after passing two Melford defenders in a 1 on 1 situation with the
goalkeeper Mansfield, who was on hand to claim the ball.
Andy Fisher came on for Dan Smith after the half-hour mark.
Three minutes later, the Yellows produced another attack as
Wingfield’s shot from a corner was blocked by Mansfield, with Baries clearing
the loose ball.
Prior to the interval, Crisell went down injured, causing a
long three minute pause in play, but was able to continue.
Half-time: AFC
Sudbury Reserves/Under-21s 0 Long Melford F.C. 0
The Villagers took a fifty-first minute lead as good build
up down the right-hand wing saw the ball crossed to Richie Abbott who fired past AFC keeper Carridge.
Two minutes later, the visitors had a two goal advantage as Nathan Rowe headed after a scramble in
the box, from a corner.
Statham was booked for a foul, before a free kick from
Melford was fired over the bar by Durey.
Nathan Rowe
claimed his second goal as he easily headed in following good build up play, to
give the visitors a 3-0 lead in the 68th minute.
In the 71st minute, Melford made a triple
substitution as Harvey, Abbott and Fryer came off for Simpson, Whitehart and
Low. For the Yellows, Statham came off for George Day.
In the 76th minute, Tom Wingfield’s excellently volleyed home from Golding’s cross to
provide a consolation for the Yellows.
Golding had one last effort for the Yellows ahead of the
final whistle, as Golding fired from 20 yards out at the goalkeeper after a
poor goal-kick. Golding’s shot was deflected high and eventually caught.
Full-time: AFC
Sudbury Reserves/Under-21s 1 Long Melford 3
Attendance: 80
AFC Sudbury team: Mark
Carridge, Daniel Day, Scott Barnes, Dan Statham, Jake Jackson, Billy Cursons,
Dan Smith, Jamie Crisell, Tom Wingfield, Ben Golding, Harvey Cawtheray. Subs: A
Fisher (on for Smith, 30’), G Day (on for Statham, 71’), R Swallow