Within 30 seconds Melford went behind,the visitors from the kickoff forced a corner...

Within 30 seconds Melford went behind,the visitors from the kickoff forced a corner Ainslea swung in the wind assisted effort to the near post and there was EPPS to head home via the underside of the bar.

Just a minute later it should have been two when Kennedy was given space in the box and from only a yard shot tamely into the arms of keeper Rulton.

This attacking flair continued for Blackstones with Ainslea hitting the bar with a corner and keeper Rulton clearing off the line from Bond. The sharper and fitter opponents kept Melford at stretch and again Rulton saved Melford with a diving sane from Ainslea.

At last Melford started to get into the game and almost clawed back the leveller on 34 minutes a free kick from Walker found the head of Pratt and his header across the box found French and his heading effort cleared the bar by inches.

At the other end Cotton was through on goal but the advancing Rulton saved with his feet and the ball was cleared to safety.

As the game warmed up some niggly fouls from the Blackstones team saw both Ainslea and Ebbs end up in the referees notebook for late challenges. The second period started in a more even mode,but it was still Blackstones who seemed that sharper than the home side. Still Melford battled on and a snap shot from Baker forced keeper Flavell to make a diving save.

Chances came and went for Blackstones with Epps heading over and then shooting straight at Rulton. The pressure finally told on 75 minutes again Cotton got behind the Melford defence turned his marker and his perfect cross was headed home with power by EPPS.

Melford reformed with subs coming on and threw men forward,and as the result of a freekick almost clawed a goal back when the thundering effort from Pratt fizzled just wide of the post. Just before the end the referee took the lenient yellow card to Cotton for an off the ball incident on Skeggs,when many would have ordered an early shower.

Brave as they were Melford ended up second best to a team better in every respect and worthy winners on the day.

Squad Rulton Alder,(69) Grindrod Pratt, Adams, Baker, Brind, (52) Walker, Thurkettle.(76) Skeggs, French, subs Dack, Cawtheray(52), Chisholm69), Hardy(76) Simpson