Wilbraham 2 Melbourn 1 MELBOURN S unbeaten start to the year came to an end on ­Saturday with their depleted squad coming unstuck against ­Wilbraham. Having had to reshuffle their backline, and without a natural sweeper, the visitors were caught cold afte

Wilbraham 2 Melbourn 1

MELBOURN'S unbeaten start to the year came to an end on ­Saturday with their depleted squad coming unstuck against ­Wilbraham.

Having had to reshuffle their backline, and without a natural sweeper, the visitors were caught cold after 20 minutes, when a Wilbraham striker was allowed to run through on goal and chip the ball over a stranded Mick Walker.

Melbourn rallied and continued with their own spell of possession.

However, missing five first team regulars seemed to have taken its toll, and they were trailing at half -time.

But a tactical change after 55 minutes paired Ben Wright with Kris Watters up front in a move that reaped immediate benefits.

Watters was quickly upended in the hosts' box, and he stepped up and slotted home the resulting kick.

Unfortunately for Melbourn the home side upped the tempo, with the Melbourn back four of Simon Carse, Stuart Collen, Steve Marriott, and Jon Patman having to work particularly hard.

And it looked like Melbourn would hold on for a point with just four minutes left, however, the hosts were awarded a free kick just outside the Melbourn box.

And when the resulting kick was fired into the goalmouth, the ball hit an unsuspecting Wilbraham striker, eluded Walker, and dropped into the Melbourn net for a surprising 86th minute winner.