Melton Town thrash Senior League champions in pre-season opener

The hosts looked sharp and hungry from kick-off and should have opened the scoring inside two minutes when John Love chased down the keeper’s clearance which fell invitingly for Palfreyman who shot wide of an empty goal.

Palfreyman made amends moments later when he collected the ball on the edge of the area and placed his shot into the corner.

Melton extended the lead when Palfreyman’s sublime back-flick found Bishop out wide who delivered a great ball for Love, re-signed from Cottesmore, to head over the keeper.

Goalkeeper Alex Egner, who has also re-signed for Melton from Barrow, looked in great form with two decent saves to deny Birstall.

The home side again started the second half in fine form and soon made it three when Bishop played a one-two with Palfreyman and finished neatly under the keeper.

Palfreyman added his second with another clinical finish after a well-worked move.

Another new signing Harry Calver started the fifth goal with an excellent pass to Shaun Smith who squared for Taylor to finish with a sweet finish into the top corner.

Egner produced another point-blank save to preserve Melton’s clean sheet and seal a 5-0 win.

Thorpe will be pleased with how the squad is shaping up with remaining players bolstered by new signings ahead of their first season in the United Counties League which starts on August 6.

Melton host Cottesmore in a pre-season friendly on Saturday at Melton Sports Village from 3pm.

They then play Leicester City Legends in a special feature match on Sunday, from 1pm, to officially open their new ground as Steve Walsh and Muzzy Izzet bring their all-star side to Melton.