Debden 2 Melbourn 2

MELBOURN extended their unbeaten run to five games after a draw away at Debden at the weekend.

The game began in end-to-end fashion which continued for the full 90 minutes but it was Melbourn that made the early running. Ben Fox continued his fine form after his conversion to a forward and after 20 minutes he headed home the opener from a fine cross by Andrew Morris. Melbourn could have been two up quickly after as Fox combined well with strike partner Kris Watters and Fox’s stinging drive was saved by the goalkeeper.

Debden equalised with a goal of pure simplicity with two passes playing in the central midfielder who finished well. They nearly took the lead when the same player’s looping header was excellently pushed over by Mark Ferrari as he back peddled.

Melbourn started the second half slowly and inside the opening minutes Ferrari’s excellent one-handed save prevented the home team taking the lead. It was short-lived, though, and five minutes later Melbourn were behind as they failed to clear a corner and the forward slotted home from close range.

It wasn’t the same Melbourn of recent weeks, but the visitors reacted well to conceding and went on the front foot looking for the equaliser. They had a decent penalty shout turned down as Jason Gray was pushed over in the box following a free-kick, but they weren’t to be denied their equaliser.

Fox’s willingness to chase any ball down is perhaps what has made him a midfield stalwart for Melbourn over recent seasons. However, the same willingness to chase balls down is reaping dividends up front and following Ferrari’s long clearance the home ‘keeper misjudged the bounce and Fox chased down to head home the equaliser.

Melbourn continued to press for the winner but in doing so left themselves exposed to counter attack. Ferrari had to be on hand for one such attack and saved well with his feet before the forward struck only to be correctly adjudged to be offside as the ball came to him.

In the closing minutes the home team had a decent penalty claim themselves which was denied and with the final kick of the game substitute Nick Edwards almost won the game with a swerving 18-yard volley which flew inches wide.

Melbourn now go on the road for their next six games and hope to remain unbeaten if they are to mount a decent promotion push.

Melbourn: Ferrari, Morris, Staley, Bryan, Monahan, Hassan (Edwards), J Gray, A Gray, Wagstaff, Watters, Fox.