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Goalkeeping errors cost Melton promotion |
Melton Tempest will not be promoted to the fourth division despite a spirited performance in the playoffs.
The Bronze and Golds confounded their status as underdogs when they took the lead in the 33rd minute. Norwegian left back played a beautiful long ball over the opposition defence, straight into the path of Gonzalvo. The Tempest captain held off a defender and steered the ball past the keeper, sending the Melton faithful into rapture.
At half time, and with the Tempest having had the lions share of possession, more shots on goal and a 1-0 lead, things were looking rosy.
Enter Inforcol Team 2 striker, Alexandru Namoleanu. Clearly motivated by his manager's half time team talk, Namoleanu picked up the ball just inside his own half and hit an audacious lob over the stranded Tempest goalkeeper. Yannick Cordonnier will be disappointed to have been far enough off his line to give the forward the opportunity but credit has to be given for his vision and execution.
Ten minutes later Melton's night got worse as their Belgian goalkeeper was hurt in a collision and had to be substituted for youngster Samson Catt. And just a few minutes later Inforcol capitalised on the change when Adilsson Passos was slid in innocuously on the wing and Catt rushed out naively allowing the striker to round him and roll the ball into the net.
Tempest continued to press but despite being the better team overall, failed to equalise. This was a tough lesson for Melton. Their savvier and more experienced opponents managed the game well and took their chances. The injury to Tempest's number 1 really was the turning point and a blow their manager was not prepared for.
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