Midlands One
HAMPTON-IN-ARDEN 1 MELTON HC FIRSTS 6

The hosts began better with Melton struggling to cope, but the visitors went ahead with a classic counter-attack.

An attacking Hampton short corner was defended well, the ball played out to Rich Randall and combining with Matt Snow and Andy Sibun, Danny Willcock was left to slot home at the near post.

The game became fractious with Hampton's right back green-carded for a foul on Matt Snow and the same punishment for Snow for retaliation.

Chris Foode's ball over the top was picked up by Johnny Hacking who rounded players before drawing their keeper from his line. Hacking slipped the ball to unmarked Jason Creed who added his first goal of the season.

Hampton were reduced to10 men when their right back received his marching orders as Melton went in 2-0 up.

The second half didn't begin well as Hampton again started brighter and when a quick free hit caught Melton's defence napping, it became 2-1.

The game began to ebb and flow as the tackling remained questionable, but in the final 20 minutes, Melton finally found the space and time they wanted and punished slack defending.

Melton used their pace in attack to exploit the tiring defence, goals by Johnny Hacking and John Judge putting the three points within reach.

Hampton were reduced to 10 men for preventing Melton taking a quick free hit and moments later Melton's Chris Foode had a spell on the sideline, being punished for a mis-timed tackle.

With more space on the pitch, a quick break saw Hacking round the keeper and coolly slot home from an acute angle.

With both teams back to a full compliment, Foode won a tackle in his own half and broke down the left. He laid the ball to Willcock who fed Creed who unselfishly squared the ball to Foode who dispatched the ball into an empty net.