Melton Hockey Club Firsts search for elusive consistency

Melton made all of the early running at home to Nottingham, dominating the game and forcing the visitors back.

The pressure eventually told when good work from Durrant, Pollard and Hewitt led to Pollard stabbing home from a few yards out.

But Melton took their foot off the gas a little as half-time approached and it proved costly.

Two short corners in quick succession left the home side wondering how they had managed to go in 2-1 down.

The home side rallied early on in the second half when Kendall found Pollard in a dangerous position in the penalty area. Pollard squared to Durrant, who struck a reverse hit high into the opposite top corner to level.

On the back of this goal of the season contender, the Reds should have pushed on, however as the game became stretched the home side buckled.

Another short corner put Nottingham back in charge, and a fourth goal followed shortly after, leaving Melton incapable of getting back into a game that they probably should have won.

The results leaves the First XI seventh in the East Midlands Premier and they will hope to find more consistency after Christmas, after a very up and down first half of the season.

The league campaign resumes on Saturday, January 14 at home to Nottingham Players.