Melton Hockey Club; Off-colour First XI ship five in Notts defeat

After a promising start to the season, Melton Hockey Club's First XI came back to earth with a bump at home on Saturday.
Sam Pollard netted Melton's second equaliser EMN-170711-103055002Sam Pollard netted Melton's second equaliser EMN-170711-103055002
Sam Pollard netted Melton's second equaliser EMN-170711-103055002

The home side started slowly and it seemed inevitable when the lack of intensity led to North Notts opening the scoring.

Melton finally woke up to respond, as Cramphorn won the ball back and raced away, before squaring for Kendall to dink the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and level.

In an increasingly frenetic first half, Notts retook the lead when a rebound from a penalty corner fell kindly for their forward.

Pete Taylor in action against North Notts in the East Midlands Premier clash EMN-170711-103107002Pete Taylor in action against North Notts in the East Midlands Premier clash EMN-170711-103107002
Pete Taylor in action against North Notts in the East Midlands Premier clash EMN-170711-103107002

Again Melton bounced back as Brown pressed into the area and the ball rolled loose to Pollard who rounded the keeper to make it two-all.

But Notts were back in front shortly after, as the Reds struggled to prevent goalscoring opportunities.

The visitors were struggling too, however, and Durrant’s work down the right put a ball across to Kendall who was denied by a sprawling save by their keeper.

It was all to play for going into the second half, but two direct attacks led to Notts quickly extending their lead to 5-2.

Pete Taylor in action against North Notts in the East Midlands Premier clash EMN-170711-103107002Pete Taylor in action against North Notts in the East Midlands Premier clash EMN-170711-103107002
Pete Taylor in action against North Notts in the East Midlands Premier clash EMN-170711-103107002

It should have been game over, but to Melton’s credit they continued to plug away on what was proving to be a difficult afternoon.

After concerted pressure and a disallowed goal, Taylor fired a ball into the penalty area for Kendall to deflect high into the net and reduce the deficit.

Kendall should have had more, but was a little wasteful in front of goal in the face of a good performance from the North Notts goalkeeper.

Melton finished the stronger, but will no doubt be disappointed with the game as a whole, especially coming on the back of a decent start to the season.

They travel away to Ashby on Saturday in an effort to return to return to winning ways.

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