Harris nets brace as Melton Town keep pressure on leaders with victory at Irchester United

Melton Town made long journey to Irchester United on Saturday to face a team who were struggling to find some form - and they returned with a 4-0 victory to keep the pressure on leaders Long Buckby.

Last season the two UCL Division One sides fought a scoreless draw, so Town took nothing for granted ahead of kick off.

Melton started the game on the front foot and almost scored in the third minute when Astill drove to the byline and pulled the ball back to Parsons, his floating pass across the six yard box found Munton at the back post, but his header could only find the top of the net.

Bucalossi had an effort from distance which brushed the post.

The pressure paid off in the 10th minute when a melee in the United area saw Harris steal the ball. He switched feet and fired in a shot which North-Row managed to block on the line, only for Harris to hit the rebound into the roof of the net.

Minutes later the hosts should have equalised when a poor kick out found Lovell.

He slipped the ball to Goodman but his shot went inches over the bar.

The match then became a midfield battle with neither side really getting a hold of the game.

A Bucalossi freekick on the half hour found Benjamin unmarked but his header went wide.

Melton doubled their lead in the 35th minute when Astill's run to the byline saw him pull the ball back to Bucalossi, his first time cross found Dunn whose half volley flew off the far post and into the net.

Seconds later a one-two with Astill and Beaver ended with a low shot that North-Row saved well.

Parsons skimmed the post with an effort from 20 yards out then, towards the end of the half, Melton had their third.

The ball was sprayed out wide to Harris who then went on a run beating Mortimer for pace before letting fly with a rasping strike which went in off the post.

Melton began well in the second half and almost extended their lead when Astill played in Munton in the area. He slipped over but still managed to get a pass off to Harris, who sent in a low shot which had the keeper diving to touch the ball around the post.

The match became a stalemate as Irchester played a defensive game and Melton kept possession well.

Lever had an effort which saw North-Row fumbling the save before clearing off the line and Manship had a go from 30 yards out which needed a good save from the keeper.

The clearest chance for Irchester came with just six minutes to go when Shoyoye went clear through, beating the offside trap and attempting to chip the oncoming Peet.

But the keeper managed to get a good head on it.

Then with the last kick of the match, Manship's free kick on the edge of the area hit the wall and looped over the keeper into the net to make it four.

This was Meltons first clean sheet of the season and also put their promotion push back on track.

It wasn’t a vintage performance but they did enough to earn the three points and move on to Tuesday when they visit Burton Park before their top-of-the table clash with Long Buckby at home next Saturday.