Meldreth United 2 Melbourn 2 (Melbourn won 4-3 on penalties) ANDREW Gray scored the winning penalty as Melbourn won the inaugural Cliff Waldman Memorial Cup on New Year s Eve. This match between two near neighbours, which it is hoped will be an annual ev

Meldreth United 2

Melbourn 2

(Melbourn won 4-3 on penalties)

ANDREW Gray scored the winning penalty as Melbourn won the inaugural Cliff Waldman Memorial Cup on New Year's Eve.

This match between two near neighbours, which it is hoped will be an annual event, was played in memory of Cliff Waldman, a player for both clubs, who died in a car accident in December 2005.

Cliff was a fantastic striker, scoring 113 goals in 118 appearances for Melbourn and on the day more than £560 was collected through donations and a raffle, the proceeds going to MAGPAS.

The match itself was played on a wet and heavy Meldreth Recreation Ground, and it was the home side who took the early initiative, Tom Peacock drawing two good saves from Melbourn keeper Glen Pearse.

On the quarter hour Meldreth took the lead, Gary Sandford conceded possession in midfield and James Hill raced down on goal before cleverly chipping the ball over Pearse.

Ten minutes later, home keeper Dave Fallon tipped a Jason Gray shot over the bar and Pearse again blocked well after another Meldreth counter attack.

Just before the interval, Fallon denied Kris Watters before Meldreth doubled their lead with Ben Wright's superb 30 yard strike.

Melbourn pressed to get back into the match but it took until the 65th minute for them to pull a goal back, Russell Cooper heading on a through ball to Andy Richardson who fired home a half volley from 12 yards.

Richardson then picked out Andrew Gray's run but he somehow steered his shot wide.

Another great chance came Melbourn's way five minutes later, a freekick to the far post was hooked across goal by Matthew Foggo but nobody could turn it in.

Then following a goal mouth scramble substitute Meldreth keeper Paul Huzzey somehow kept the ball out with help from his head and his cross bar.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure, Jason Gray fired just over with a dipping shot and Huzzey clawed away a Mark Williams effort.

From the resulting corner, Melbourn grabbed the equalizer, Tom Walker floated a corner to the far post, the ball looked to have crossed the line but play continued, Andrew Gray headed against the bar before the ball was finally forced in.

Melbourn could have won it with the last action of the 90 minutes, Williams flicked on a Simon Carse corner and Jason Gray and Walker both had efforts blocked on the line.

In the deciding penalty shoot-out, both sides missed two spot kicks before Gray settled the tie in sudden death.

Melbourn squad: G Pearse, T Walker, S Hinchliffe, G Norman, S Kiddie, M Foggo, G Sandford, S Carse, J Gray, A Gray, R Cooper, P Baker, A Cooper, A Richardson, M Williams, I Cross, D Harrington, D Chamberlain, A Flack, K Watters