Challenging weekend for Melton Hockey Club

Melton First XI are made to work hard in defence against Finchfield EMN-160126-190743002

Returning after the previous weekend’s matches were frozen off, the First XI went down to a 4-1 home defeat at Melton Sports Village.

The loss to the third-place promotion chasers left Melton second-bottom of Midlands Division Two, two points adrift of Leicester who also lost, 5-1 at Chesterfield.

The Second XI fared even worse as they took a 9-1 hammering at title contenders Lichfield to remain third from bottom of the East Midlands Premier.

John Judge in possession for Melton Firsts EMN-160126-190754002

Melton’s Third XI provided the bright spot for the men as they eased to a 4-1 win over Ashby in East Midlands Division Two.

The home victory consolidated the side’s promotion challenge in third place and closed the gap to four points on leaders Barton who suffered a surprise 4-0 defeat at Nuneaton.

Title challenging Northampton Saints dished out a 9-0 thumping for Melton’s young Fourth XI who have had some bright spots this season despite lying second-bottom in Division Two of the Central South East League.

There was cheer for Melton’s Ladies’ XI who were 5-0 winners at Loughborough.