Villagers hopeful of signing Spaniard

Long Melford are hoping to field a new signing in their final pre-season friendly tomorrow, provided international clearance comes through, writes Ken Watkins.

Manager Jamie Bradbury is keeping his cards close to his chest by not naming the Spanish player, who was playing in his home country last season.

“His club have released him, so we are just waiting for the paperwork to go through,” said Bradbury, who is keeping his fingers crossed that this will be sorted fairly quickly.

“He has played at a decent level in Spain, and will be a good addition to the squad.”

The Villagers have lost one of their Spanish players from last season, Jose Hernandez, who has moved to Dubai to take up a teaching post.

Melford are home to Brightlingsea Regent tomorrow (7.45pm), their last pre-season game before the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division starts on Saturday, August 4, when Gorleston are the visitors to Stoneylands.

With the Premier Division reduced to 20 clubs this season, Bradbury will be looking for a better start than 12 months ago.

Melford’s form in the first half of last season left them facing a possible relegation dog fight. But in the second half results were more like those of a top ten side, and safety was achieved with a handful of games to spare.

“We played 51 games last season, and that’s a lot to ask at our level. With fewer games, the players will be fresh, but hungry,” said Bradbury.

“But we need more consistency at the start of the season. We want a good start, but it will be a few games before the league form settles down.”

Bradbury is hoping for a reasonable run in the FA Cup and FA Vase competitions, the club winning just one game in both competitions last season.

Melford are away to Redbridge in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on August 11, and away to Baldock in the Vase first qualifying round on September 1.

“With the prize money increased, the cups are a massive carrot, and with few midweek games scheduled, we can easily deal with a run,” he said.

Despite the prolonged hot spell, the Stoneylands pitch, which has been well watered, is in good condition. Melford initially trained at Friars Meadow, and are now training at Thomas Gainsborough school.

At present Bradbury is still assessing his squad, which, apart from the retirement of goalkeeper Darren Moyes, is largely unchanged from last season.

Jake Jackson and Sam Bayliss have returned to the club, and both figured in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Bury Town, Bradbury ringing the changes in the second half. Ben Judge and Nathan Rowe got the goals.

Bradbury felt the penalty, which Rowe converted to secure the win, was a little harsh, “but a win is always nice for confidence”.

He is hoping for another confidence boost tomorrow.