Senior League: Melton Mowbray close on leaders with Kirby Muxloe win

The 4-0 win moved them to within eight points of leaders Sileby with three games in hand, and left them seven adrift of Birstall having played two games less.

The hosts started the game with a real buzz and immediately got at their opponents, playing a high tempo of football as they totally bossed matters.

The front three of Ash Palfreyman and the Black brothers looked a real handful, and Melton opened the scoring on 25 minutes.

Chiavetto picked out Aaron Black on the right who scored with a brilliantly-taken goal from just inside the area, hitting his shot with pace into the corner of the net.

The home side should have had another just before half-time when Palfreyman tried to go around the keeper. He got a hand to the ball which fell invitingly to Aidan Black, but his shot took a slight deflection off a defender and drifted wide.

Melton started the second half in the same form as they looked to increase their lead with Myring and Baker again working tirelessly in midfield.

Palfreyman’s shot from the edge of the area went narrowly wide before Kieran Foster headed home a corner at the back post to double the advantage.

Leon Fray was commanding in defence and caused problems for Kirby with bursting runs to link the play.

Jack Baker then scored the goal of the game when he collected the ball just inside the Kirby half and jinked past four players before unleashing an excellent shot from 22 yards which flew into the net.

Kieran Clayton completed the scoring when he headed home from close range from another corner.

Man-of-the-match, sponsored by C and A Scaffolding, was Leon Fray.

Melton: Cragg, Foster, Chaivetto, Fray, Clayton, Mann (c) (Lapworth), Baker, Myring, Aidan Black, Aaron Black, Palfreyman (Hazeldine).