Dominant Melton Town unable to break down stoic Bourne as they suffer first defeat of league campaign

Melton Town sufferd their first defeat of the season in a contest where they couldn't turn dominance into goals.

A confident Melton side welcomed UCL Division One rivals Bourne Town on Saturday.

Melton went into the match on the back of an impressive start to the league having dispatched Whitworth and Birstall 7-3 and 8-1 respectfully.

Bourne's side included three ex-Melton players and they arrived with game plan.

The contest was slow to get going with only two shots on goal in the first 25 minutes, an Arnold free kick was fired straight at Johnson for the visitors and a long ball over the top found Munton one-on-one with Leverton only for his rasping shot to strike the crossbar.

Bourne were defending with 10 men behind the ball and Melton, for all their possession, were struggling to make any clear cut chances.

Beaver made a run to the byline and pulled it back to Munton who fired just over.

Bourne counter attacked on only the rare occasion but ex-Town player Cummings tested Johnson with a low shot which was well saved, with the clearance falling to Munton who let fly from 20 yards out, only to see the ball fly inches past bar and post.

Benjamin made a run through the heart of Bourne's defence, beating three players before laying it off to Hammond, whose shot was blocked well by Hibbitt.

Then in the 39th minute came the turning point of the game when Johnson was in two minds as he tried to throw the ball out to Beaver, only for it to fall straight to Couzens, who made no mistake by planting the ball in the corner of the net.

The second half was much the same with the home side enjoying all the possession and the visitors just defending with everything they had.

Hammond had a chance on the hour when the ball ricocheted around the area, eventually falling at his feet. But he could only find Levertons midrift.

Fray came close with a powerful header from a corner and, with 15 to go, Hammond again had a shot blocked on the line.

The final action came in the last minute when Harris shrugged off Cardell and floated across into the area but Hammond's deft touch off his head went just wide.

For all of their dominance Melton came up against a brick wall.

Chances were a rarity and it was the visitors that took their one and only sniff to take away the three points.

Melton will have their chance to put this right as they visit Holwell Sports in midweek.

TOWN: Johnson, Beaver, Benjamin, Bucalossi (Fura), Fray, Wilson (Gilchrist), Lever, Dunn, Hammond, Parsons (Harris), Munton.