Melton Hockey: Firsts end campaign with seven-goal show

The game began with end-to-end hockey as chances were created for both teams.

Nottingham made the most of the open play when they converted a short corner to make it 1-0.

One almost became two when Notts were awarded a penalty stroke shortly after, but Eden deftly parried the ball over the bar to keep Melton in the game.

The save raised Melton spirits, and the scores were level soon after when Sibun tucked the ball away.

If the first half was open, the second half somehow managed to be even more so.

As Notts toiled, the visitors cut lose with Sibun putting Melton ahead before quickly following up with a third to complete his hat-trick.

Hewitt soon made it 4-1 before Sibun converted his fourth of the day.

With the result now a done deal, Melton turned on the style as a length-of-the-pitch move, involving passes from every player, led to Sibun playing a one-two with Taylor who selflessly allowed Sibun to tap home his fifth.

Notts pulled one back, but Melton capped the scoring at 7-2 when Kendall converted a Hewitt cross-shot in the dying moments.

The result left Melton comfortably mid-table in the East Midlands Premier with nine wins, nine losses and two draws and a goal difference of zero.

The season has been full of ups and downs, with the Reds capable of earning a result from almost every game they have played.

John Brookes and Chris Eden have steadied the ship in a transitional year as captain and coach, and the hope will be that they can build on the progress made next season.