A sparse crowd saw Long Melford kick off on a clear and slightly chilly evening and were immediately pushed back into their own half by constant Wanderers attacks. Wanderers started with the same ten outfield players that had done so well against Swaffham last week and another goal-packed game was anticipated by the sizable band of travelling supporters. Over the first 20 minutes of the half, Long Melford gradually played themselves into the game, so much so that it took a dramatic fingertip save by Jamie Stannard, returning after resting for the last game, to deny A. Jones' powerful header. Jones was again the Long Melford player first to the ball from the resulting corner, but his header was shepherded over the line for a goal kick. Wanderers continued to attack but a long clearance on 30 minutes caught the defence in a forward position and Jamie Stannard had to react swiftly to clear the ball from just outside his area. Unfortunately, he mis-cued his kick but the loose ball was tidied up by Terry Layton after the Long Melford forwards were slow to react to this error.
As the half was drawing to a close and each side was desperate to go into the break with an advantage, Long Melford's Carl Cook and Mark Goldfinch became involved in a personal battle around the halfway line which ended 1-all in free kicks. However, it was Long Melford who came closest to gaining the upper hand when their effort went uncomfortably close to the far post.
Long Melford 0 Ipswich Wanderers 0
It had become obvious that neither side was in the mood to give away many goals and the game looked to be heading for a narrow victory for whichever side could score first. Jamie Stannard, in the Wanderers goal, was not going to be the first to concede as he dominated his area and marshalled the defenders in front of him.
Both sides were attacking with a fury but neither set of forwards seemed able to get sufficient space to turn their attacks into something tangible. The physios from both sides were called into action a number of times as the pace and passion of the game increased but the referee was handling the game well and only a reckless tackle by Daniel Buck as the game was drawing to its conclusion forced him to reach for his notebook and yellow card.
Long Melford's league position belied their performance but Wanderers should have done better given their recent goal scoring record. Later in the season it may be considered that this was a point won but after the game, it certainly felt like two lost.
Long Melford 0 Ipswich Wanderers 0
