Comberton Utd 1

Melbourn 3

A MUCH changed Melbourn XI extended their unbeaten run to seven games, with special mention going to reserve team stalwarts Andrew Ridden and Tom Barton.

Both have been playing their football in Division 5B for much of this season but neither looked out of place in this Kershaw Premier B battle.

Melbourn started on the front foot and the home team were clearly struggling with Andrew Gray’s long throws from the outset. However, it is not just the long-throw that causes trouble, it is the fact that in Kris Watters, Melbourn have arguably one of the best target men in the division - a testament paid by the home centre-back after the game - and on 15 minutes a Gray long throw from the left found Watters at the near-post and his cleverly flicked header found the top right-hand corner.

The visitors’ goal sparked Comberton into life and their physical power was a struggle to contain. Their centre-forward equalised following their own long throw and with the momentum with Comberton they continued to press.

As the second half drew on, it looked increasingly likely that Melbourn would take the lead and when a Michael Wagstaff midfield header was flicked centrally by Chaz Hassan, Andrew Morris burst into the box and finished coolly.

With 10 minutes to play a fine move down the right led to Barton being found in the box. He took a touch to steady himself and with the chance looking to have passed, smashed a low drive into the bottom corner to secure the three points.

Both Barton and Ridden, playing an at an unfamiliar right-back role, have created a selection headache for Mick Walker as they travel to Lakenheath this Saturday.

Melbourn: Ferrari, Ridden, Gray, Staley, Monahan, Edwards, Wagstaff, Morris, Barton, Watters, Hassan.