Melbourn give Morden both Barrells
Melbourn 2
Steeple Morden Res 0
BIS Division 5B
MELBOURN made a sluggish start to this division 5B tie but a fine second half substitute appearance by Keith Barrell ensured a winning start to 2012.
Melbourn withstood early pressure, but could have been two to the good inside 10 minutes with Russell Cooper spurning two good opportunities, but Melbourn soon settled and throughout the half they never really looked threatened.
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However, Melbourn’s inability to create clear-cut chances could have been their undoing with so often the final ball quite simply not being good enough. Indeed, Melbourn’s only other meaningful chance of the half fell to Cooper 20 yards out who was unlucky with a good curling effort.
The second half started much the same as the first left off, with Melbourn attacking without threat, and defending comfortably.
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Barrell was introduced for Russell Cooper with 20 minutes to go and almost had an immediate impact drifting in at the far post to head wide. His second touch would be telling, however, as John Sell flicked a corner on at the near-post and the ball went across the box to Barrell who finished unchallenged.
Five minutes later the same player netted again from a fine Ian Burt ball only to have the effort ruled out for offside, and he was central to another disallowed goal when an innocuous challenge with the ‘keeper saw the ball fall to Lee Cooper who finished only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul on the ‘keeper.
At the other end, Melbourn had ‘keeper Nathan Wilkins to thank when a mistake by Rhett Monahan let the forward clean through for Wilkins to stand well and save the forward’s effort. His quick distribution led to a swift counter-attack and as Barrell fired a rebound across the box, Lee Cooper was on hand at the far post to turn the effort in.
Melbourn will ultimately be happy with the three points but will look to improve at home to Cambourne Res this Saturday.
Melbourn: Wilkins; Smith, Monahan, Sell, Carse; Burt, Wagstaff, Huzzey (Walker), Oglvie; R Cooper (Barrell), L Cooper.
