Melton Town pull away from relegation zone after another away win
A hard fought 2-1 win at Kimberley MW sent fast-improving Melton Town up into the top half of the UCL Premier North table and away from the relegation battle on Saturday.
This was a great win against a top five team for the Reds with their defence looking particularly solid.
The first chance of the match fell to the hosts when Markelic hit a beautiful shot from 25 yards out which had Harrison at full stretch to tip the ball around the post.
Melton's first real attack came when Munakandafa went on a run down the left hand side before cutting inside and, from a tight angle, hit a low shot which was deflected into the net by Kimberley's keeper.
It took Kimberley just three minutes to level the scores when a misplaced back pass found Markelic, who played a one two with Timson before slotting the ball past Harrison.
Kimberley should have taken the lead when a long ball over the top of the Melton defence saw Markelic go clear on goal, but Sackey-Mensah chased down the No.10 and made a last ditch tackle to prevent a goal.
Just past the half hour, a great tackle in the middle of the park by Timson saw him then played a through ball to Ryder, who in turn tried to round the keeper.
But Harrison stood firm and cleared the danger.
The first attack of the second half saw Sandhu on the edge of the area, picking out Ryder three yards out from goal, but he got the ball stuck under his feet and the chance was gone.
Melton went immediately up the other end where Munakandafa went clear on goal, only to send his shot the wrong side of the upright.
A Kimberley corner was punched clear by Harrison only for Timson to hit a sweet volley, which shaved the outside of the post.
A Melton free kick then saw Fura play the ball into the box and Danso leaped above the defence to head the ball goalwards, but Smith made a great save down at the foot of the post.
Then in the 79th minute Melton took an unlikely lead when a long ball downfield found Munakandafa.
He ran at Sandhu, who backed off a challenge, and he cut inside before finding the bottom corner of the net.
Kimberley could have equalised with their next attack when Markelic found Partridge unmarked, but his low shot went inches wide.
Melton then managed the remainder of the game well, preventing the hosts a sniff of a chance.
Two home games come next with the first against Gresley Rovers on Saturday as Melton looking to push further up towards the play-offs.