Melton Town end season on a high with big win over Harrowby
Melton Town ended their UCL Premier North season on a high with a resounding 4-1 home win over Harrowby United.
Easter Monday saw Harrowby relegated and Melton mathematically safe, meaning this final match had the feel of a dead rubber.
That allowed the hosts to play with freedom—and they made the most of it with this emphatic victory.
The win means Melton finish the season strongly, with four victories from their final five matches lifting them to 11th place—ending the campaign a point better off than last season.
Melton started brightly and almost took the lead inside two minutes when Andre Williams won a 50/50 challenge and unleashed a shot from 20 yards, but Oluyinka Abebowale made a comfortable save.
Harrowby’s first opportunity came from a long throw, with Kareem Abouraia flicking narrowly wide of the post.
The visitors came close again in the 11th minute when a corner wasn’t cleared, falling to Dan Momah whose half-volley was superbly tipped over by Bill Harrison.
Melton responded with chances of their own—Kalis Gore fired inches over after beating two defenders, while Jack Butterfill saw an effort deflected just wide before Tom Wakley’s overhead kick was heroically blocked on the line.
The deadlock remained intact at the break, though Abebowale was called into action once more to save Toby Fura’s free-kick.
Melton finally broke through five minutes into the second half.
After a short corner routine caused problems, the ball fell to Butterfill on the edge of the area, and he drove a low shot through a crowded box into the bottom corner.
Five minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage. Keenan King battled past two defenders, saw his effort ricochet off the goalkeeper, and reacted quickest to force the ball over the line despite desperate attempts to clear.
Harrowby nearly responded immediately when Callum Law found Rueban Fogg unmarked, but Cam Gilchrist produced a crucial goal-line clearance.
Melton then extended their lead just after the hour mark, with Toby Fura curling a composed finish into the far corner after a scramble on the edge of the box.
The visitors did pull one back when a long ball caught the wind and evaded the defence, allowing Law to run through and fire past Harrison.
However, any hopes of a comeback were ended in the 79th minute when King capitalised on a poor back pass, rounding the keeper and slotting into an empty net.
Matt Roberton had the final chance of the game, but his effort drifted just wide.