Melton Town see off Blackstones in League Cup test

The trip was seen as a real test of Melton’s unbeaten start to the season against a Blackstones side boasting a 100 per cent home record, while the visitors carried a long injury list.

But Town started as they had done in the previous three games with a goal from their first attack when Hibbitt collected the ball and split the home defence with a superb pass to Parsons who calmly slotted his shot under the keeper.

Town almost doubled their lead when a low free-kick was touched on and had to be scrambled off the line.

Porter should have equalised with the next attack, but headed wide when unmarked in the box, and Peet then had to make a great save from the Blackstones number nine.

Midway through the half Thorpe’s high cross found Rigby clear at the far post, but his header was neatly parried away by Snitkas.

Melton’s dominance paid off when Rigby’s through ball played in Reeve who outmuscled Pell to slot a shot under the Polish keeper.

Minutes later the cup tie was put beyond doubt when Lindley’s free-kick from his own half found Reeve who turned and powered another shot under the keeper.

Melton were playing with a lot of swagger and looking like league leaders, and started the second half on the front foot.

A Peet clearance went 80 yards and found Thorpe clear on goal where he took advantage of a hesitant keeper to slot into the corner for 4-0.

Blackstones almost got on the scoresheet on the hour mark when Easson ran down the right and crossed for Moore-Papworth who turned and thumped a shot which Peet had to tip wide.

Reeve almost completed back-to-back hat-tricks midway through the second half when Rigby sent a ball through the defence and Town’s leading scorer looked set to pounce, but a heavy touch allowed Snitkas to collect the loose ball.

The hosts were running out of steam as Melton passed the ball around, keeping possession for the last 15 minutes.

The game was appearing to peter out until a moment of brilliance from Lindley made it 5-0 when his free-kick from close to the corner flag flew into the top corner to cap an emphatic victory.

All 14 players used played a part and have now given co-manager Tom Manship a selection headache ahead of Saturday’s vital home game on Saturday against fellow title chasers Lutterworth Town at The Signright Park (kick-off 3pm).

Town: Peet, Hollis, Lindley, Hibbitt, Wilson (Reek), Horobin, Rigby, Lapworth, Reeve (Price), Parsons, Thorpe (Appleton).