United Counties League: Melton Town beaten by clinical Oakham

The game started in the worst possible manner for the visitors when Oakham’s first attack exposed Melton on the left and Ben Easson had time to place a pinpoint cross into the box for Richard Nelson to head home.

Melton dominated for large periods of the first half and were unlucky not to level when Palfreyman had the ball in the back of the net, only for the linesmen to rule him offside.

Jack Baker was instrumental in Town’s revival as he bossed the midfield with his bursting runs, while Ben Lapworth was causing Oakham all sorts of problems down the right.

And Melton duly levelled the game after 20 minutes when Palfreyman’s perfect ball found John Love on the left who burst into the box and finished neatly into the corner.

The away side continued to press and this time Palfreyman forced the keeper into a good save after a cross from the right from Love.

Oakham came out in the second half much more organised, closing down the space and not allowing Melton any time on the ball.

Eddie McDonald was then allowed too much space six minutes in as he guided by three attempted tackles before going around keeper King to put Oakham back into the lead.

Baker’s good ball then found Joe Williams on the right, but he fired over as Melton continued to push forward, without being able to break down Oakham’s stubborn defence.

The home side then went further ahead, and were quite fortunate to do so, when Slater’s attempted clearance rebounded back to Andy Sayers who curled a finish into the top corner.

Matters then got worse for Melton with four minutes remaining when Robbie Pearce’s deflected shot looped over King.

Palfreyman made it six goals in five matches with an excellent curling lob from 18 yards out to restore some credibility late on.

Melton: A. King, K. Clayton, J. Williams, J. Slater, B. Lapworth, L. Mann, J. Baker, S. Truman, H. Calver, J. Love, A. Palfreyman. Subs: S. Myring, S. Smith, T. Thorpe.