Melton Town book place in League Cup quarter-finals

Melton reached the Leicestershire Senior League Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Glen Villa on Saturday.

Both teams struggled to cope with the stormy conditions in the opening stages, with the first real chance falling to Melton.

A poor clearance by Villa keeper Ben Perkins ricocheted off Tom Wakley, who reacted quickly to get a shot away, only for Perkins to recover well and make an excellent save.

The visitors' first opportunity came in the 20th minute when an inswinging corner was flicked on by Garratt Doms and flashed inches past the far post.

Melton responded immediately with a quick break.

Wakley played a ball in behind the Villa defence for Elliot Pratt, who found himself clean through on goal, but Perkins closed the gap and produced another fine save.

Villa should have taken the lead midway through the first half when a free-kick picked out James Bonser unmarked inside the six-yard box, but he failed to control the ball.

At the other end, Cam Gilchrist unleashed a rasping 25-yard effort that crashed against the bar, while Jack Hickey went close with a free-kick.

Melton's pressure finally paid off in the 35th minute.

A long clearance from Bill Harrison sailed over the Villa defence, allowing Hickey to race onto the ball before calmly chipping Perkins to give the hosts a deserved lead.

Just minutes later, a short corner found Ollie Pearce-Smith, who danced past two defenders before firing in a low shot.

Perkins was again equal to the task, getting down well to turn the ball around the post.

Villa almost snatched an equaliser just before half-time.

A through ball sent George Parker one-on-one with Harrison, and after rounding the Melton keeper, Parker looked certain to score into an empty net. Somehow, Harrison recovered to produce a miraculous save.

Melton started the second half brightly.

Straight from the kick-off, the ball was played out to Pratt, who ghosted past Joel Powell before cutting inside and unleashing a low shot that required a diving save from Perkins.

Villa continued to threaten, and Parker sent a free-kick towards the top corner, only for Harrison to tip the ball over the bar.

Just past the hour mark, Melton doubled their advantage.

Cristian Bottini raced down the right touchline before sending in a shot-cum-cross that Perkins managed to tip away.

However, Pratt reacted quickest and finished with an overhead kick to send the ball into the back of the net.

The match then produced three minutes of madness.

In the 71st minute, Hickey drove into the Villa penalty area before being brought down by Sam Swift, giving Melton the chance to put the tie beyond doubt.

Hickey stepped up and struck a powerful penalty, but Perkins produced an excellent save to keep Villa in the game.

Just three minutes later, Villa were awarded a penalty of their own after a cross from Ira Castor found George Knight, who went to ground under a challenge.

Parker struck a fine penalty, but Harrison matched Perkins with another superb save.

The final action saw a Villa corner find Castor, whose goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Kieran Oakes.

Melton’s deserved victory was made all the more pleasing by the fact that four U18 players started the match for them.