Melton Town top the table after thrashing Birstall United 8-1

Melton Town 8 Birstall United 1
Sam Beaver was amongst the goalscorers. Photo: Tim WilliamsSam Beaver was amongst the goalscorers. Photo: Tim Williams
Sam Beaver was amongst the goalscorers. Photo: Tim Williams

Melton Town moved to the top of the United Counties League Division One following an 8-1 victory over Birstall United last night.

Tom Manship's side built upon their league opener, a 7-3 success against Wellingborough Whitworth, by scoring even more.

A tough local derby was anticipated by a large crowd, with the visitors having taken points off Melton in the last two seasons.

Melton were too fast for Birstall right from the off. A deflected cross inside the first minute looped up and Hammond met the ball with a fierce header, which had Doherty making a great save.

In the third minute Lever sent in a low free kick which Hammond got to first, touching the ball inside the near post.

Ten minutes gone and Bucalossi played a beautiful pass from his own half which bent around the defence and found Munton, who slotted under the diving Doherty.

Aaron Rideout almost pulled one back for the visitors when he headed just over from a corner.

Two goals in two minutes midway through the first half put this tie beyond Birstall.

The first came from an overlap on the wing ending with Storey sending in a low cross which was deflected into his own net by Philips.

Then Harris made a weaving run and slipped a ball to Beaver, who planted his shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Ncube was then found guilty of pushing Harris in the area but Lever fired his penalty over the bar.

Doherty then made a great double save before sending the ball up field to find Philips, whose half volley looped over Johnson for a consolation goal.

A minute into the second half and Munton brought out a great low save from Doherty, only for Harris to flick the ball back before Ncube handled in the area.

The unlucky Lever again missed the target from the spot.

Bucalossi’s free kick had Doherty scrambling across his goal to tip the ball around the post.

Then Johnson had to pull off as diving save from Vyce.

Fifteen minutes to go and two goals in a minute saw Melton's dominance pay off.

A Storey cross found Harris in the six yard box and he made no mistake touching the ball past the keeper.

Lever was chopped down in the area after a great run through the defence and Hammond's penalty hit the roof of the net.

Hammond found himself unmarked on the edge of the area but his shot hammered the crossbar.

Johnson had to make another flying save to prevent Vyce from scoring from a half volley.

With seven minutes to go Melton made it seven when Lever let fly with a shot which Doherty parried, only for Harris to tap into the net, but after Watts handled on the line.

Meltons fourth penalty was stuck away by Hammond for his second hat-trick of the season.

The scoring finished in the last minute when Benjamin found himself one on one with the keeper and planted the ball in the bottom corner.

That’s 15 goals in the first two league games for Melton, who are sending a message to the rest of the league that they mean business this season.

Town welcome Bourne to Melton Sports Village on Saturday (KO 3pm).

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

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