First Team

Puddlebrook 68 0 - 0 Melbourn

Match report pending.

Reserve Team

Melbourn Reserves 1 - 3 Great Chesterford

Match report pending.

First Team

Melbourn 5 -1 Papworth

Melbourn hosted Papworth at The Moor on Saturday afternoon. Looking to get back to winning ways after last week’s derby draw against Guilden Morden. They didn’t disappoint, ultimately making easy work of it to come out 5-1 victors.

Papworth started off the brighter of the two teams though, and Melbourn had goalkeeper Liam York to thank for a couple of great saves that could’ve seen them 2 down within the first 5 minutes. 19 minutes into the game though Papworth did make their pressure count to take the lead. The striker slipped past the defence to find space in the area and ultimately an easy finish past York. Melbourn settled into the game and 10 minutes later earnt an equaliser. A mistake at the back saw the ball slip under the defender’s foot allowing Ben Fox to pounce. Despite the goalkeeper being quick to close him down Fox calmly slotted the ball past him from outside the area. Being back on level terms Melbourn attacked with renewed vigour and turned the game around 5 minutes before the interval. A Josh Sewell corner headed home by Liam Henderson to score his first goal for the club and make it 2-1.

Half time saw the withdrawal of the Papworth goalkeeper, not being able to continue from an earlier knock. This gave Melbourn the confidence to turn the screw and attack further. The stand in keeper initially made some good saves, but was eventually beaten in the 70th minute when substitute George Way latched onto a superb through ball from Fox and fired into the far corner. 5 minutes later, the same pairing combined to effectively kill the game off. Fox pulled it back at the far post for Way to make it 4-1 with almost an open goal. With 10 minutes remaining super sub Way sends a ball over the top for fellow replacement Kieran Butler. A great touch to cut inside the defender and a left foot shot completes the rout, 5-1.

Next up for Melbourn is a trip to Haverhill to face Puddlebrook 68 in what is usually a tough battle.

Reserve Team

Motts County Pirates 1-1 Melbourn Reserves

An away trip where the Reserves were hoping to get back to winning ways, another journey to Haverhill, this time Motts County Pirates.

A lot of the first half Melbourn were camped in the Pirates half, with stand in goalkeeper Dan Gorman having nothing to do. Chances came from both wings, countless corners and a number of pot shots. The breakthrough came around the half hour mark when Dale Wilson fired home after a rebounded shot came in.

The second half was more of the same but with the added factor of Melbourn playing into the wind. Numerous chances were created for the visitors but the final ball didn’t create that clear cut opportunity for Melbourn to double the lead. Inevitably, 15 mins from time the only notable chance that the Pirates got from a free kick was floated all the way to the back post and crept in for the equaliser. In the final minutes Melbourn changed to 3 at the back in an attempt to steal the win, but the game played out to end as a draw.

First Team

Great Paxton 0 - 4 Melbourn

Melbourn first team travelled away to Great Paxton, with a full squad eager to make up for the dropped points from the previous week.

The game started with both teams trying to get the ball down and play, even though conditions were making it difficult. Melbourn had early success down the left wing with Josh Cantle excelling and pinning the opposition full-back back. From one of his forays forward he played in Gwynn whose cross caught a defender off guard. The penalty awarded for clear handball, which was dispatched by Ben fox. Melbourn grew in confidence with the first goal. The defensive pairing of Olly Woodcock and Ryan Waller, winning possession off Paxton and calmly starting offensive moves. As the half went on Monahan and Mills became more able to play as wingbacks rather than full backs adding extra numbers to the attack, overloading Paxton's midfield. The second goal for Melbourn came from a nice team move, with James Gwynn receiving the ball on the edge of the box, taken his time, before dispatching a curled effort into the top corner. Potentially a goal of season contender!!! A rare Paxton attack brought out a fantastic save from Lloyd White, tipping over a fierce strike. Paxton looked most threatening from set pieces, which Melbourn did well to limit. Melbourn held the two goal lead until half time, where the team talk suggested that although a good performance by all, there was much more to come. Players were encouraged to use the time they had on the ball.

The second half started well with the midfield trio of Sewell, Swan and Gwynn, pulling the strings to release the wingers. Callum Browne proving too quick and tricky for the opposition full back, winning countless freekicks. Melbourn used their squad depth to introduce Warwick, Gittins, Kew and the Henderson brothers. The fresh legs seem to strengthen the already good performance as chances were created freely. Gittins introduction was superb as he sprayed the ball around nicely, scoring Melbourn's third with his left foot and very nearly the fourth with a thunderous right footed volley that crashed off the bar. White in the Melbourn goal, had to remain alert when a Paxton counter brought a smart save low to his right. Melbourn's fourth came from a long clearance which unleashed Fox from the half way line, as the keeper came out he was just beaten to the ball. Fox lobbed finish just dropped under the bar, for his second of the game and seventh of the season.

A great team performance - where all involved showed a high standard of play for the level. This included the ref who expertly applied the laws of the game.

First Team

Linton Granta A 0 - 2 Melbourn

The first team go clear at the top of the league with a tough away win.

Melbourn first team took a well deserved 3 points from an open and even game of football. While Linton came out of the blocks more quickly, a well taken goal from Callum Browne settled any early nerves. What followed was 2 evenly matched teams sparring throughout. The game flowed and the ref kept good control with the use of 3 yellows, (which Melbourn also stole the count 2-1).

The game was made safe by a great 2nd half left footed drive from Shai Swan which nestled in the bottom corner. A hard fought victory and deserved on balance.

Reserve Team

Thaxted Rangers Reserves 0-1 Melbourn

Match report pending.

Reserve Team

Melbourn 1-2 Sawston Phoenix

Two early goals condemned the Ressies to defeat in their return to league action after a nine year absence.

A curling long range effort after nine minutes evaded Lloyd White in goal. There was a suspicion of offside in the preceding move but nothing could take away from the quality of the finish. Two minutes later a simple header from a corner saw the Ressies really having to chase the game. Apart from a spell of some joy with earlier longer balls, the rest of the half saw the visitors largely controlling events with their possession game. Phoenix had several shots but rarely tested White fully. Josh Cantle had a couple of chances for the Ressies, and Shai Swan attempted to pull the strings in midfield.

The second half almost started in disaster as the Ressies conceded possession, trying to play out from the back. A superb cross from the right was inexplicably headed over the bar in the six yard box by a Phoenix player as a result. The Ressies started to get more of a foothold in the game, but were still often chasing shadows. Twenty three minutes into the half Shane Worboys put Dale Wilson through on goal and Mr. Reliable slotted home. A few minutes later a cross from Cantle almost found Wilson in the box. Other than that Phoenix controlled events and closed out the game.