This entertaining match was fought out between two evenly matched teams: the IDL team, in the main, seasoned campaigners, while Melford played a large number of teenagers in their squad.

Richard Kemp

This entertaining match was fought out between two evenly matched teams: the IDL team, in the main, seasoned campaigners, while Melford played a large number of teenagers in their squad. Early on Gray came close for Grundisburgh while at the other end Grindrod brought a good save out of Mustoe.

Just before the interval Melford came under some sustained pressure but the senior members of the squad, Dack, Bloomfield and Cook, were in good defensive mode. The goals came in the second period, which ironically was the better half for Melford, with their trio of 16-year-olds causing some problems for Grundisburgh. The half opened with Pryke putting wide from close range for Grundisburgh. Luke Simpson, for Melford, sent in a rasping drive for Mustoe to push round the post. The first goal came on 60 minutes when a free kick from Allen found the veteran NEIL KING unmarked and with great skill he volleyed the ball into the top of the net.

Within six minutes Melford levelled; keeper Mustoe leaving his line for the edge of the box, made a hash of his clearance, and with the keeper stranded LUKE SIMPSON slotted the ball home from 20 yards. This seemed to spur Melford on and they flung players forward, which was perhaps their downfall, when a long ball found a defensive mis-kick and substitute HENRY went for goal, casually placing the ball wide of Mansfield in the Melford goal.

There was just time for Hyatt to head off the Melford line and for Mustoe to save at close range from Tom Peel.

MELFORD Mansfield, Cook, Hyatt, Dack Bloomfield, Luke Simpson, Grindrod(30), Williams, Manser, (45) Taylor, Caley(80), subs Owens,(80) Bartlett, (30) Peel(45).