Melton Hockey enter lockdown in style

Melton 8 vs Nuneaton 4

As the country braces for a second national lockdown, Melton knew on Saturday that their home game would be the last for a while. They went out with a bang.

Disappointed at their own performance the week before, the team were determined to start quickly. However, Captain Leo Guy then proceeded to call the game off on the grounds of a water-logged pitch - only for the pitch to then clear. With the game back on, Melton, and Guy, started quickly. With their first penalty corner of the match, a switch left to Guy allowed him to pass the ball square for Dan Kendall to deflect the opener.

It was to be a lightening start, as goals flowed at a rate of knots. Leighton Davies and Guy combined to play in Andy Sibun, who fired a reverse shot into the roof of the net to make it two. Shortly after, another penalty corner routine found its way to James Hewitt and he flicked low and hard to make it three. Four followed quickly after, as Melton pinched the ball from the restart and Sibun passed to the on-rushing Sam Pollard who converted.

Melton Captain Leo Guy

At four nil Melton could have been forgiven for taking their foot off the gas, but instead they pushed on. Guy scored his first of the game with a drag flick penalty corner, before getting his second with a fine strike from the top of the area in open play.

Nuneaton were stunned, but Melton did finally slow down and dropped their standards. As the half closed out, two quick fire penalty corner goals for the away side and a scruffy third left the halftime score at a remarkable six three.

Melton were a little miffed to have dropped their level and allowed the visitors back into the game. However, in truth the game was over, as Melton continued to dominate possession and Nuneaton chances were all on the break. As the second half played out Melton were not as clinical though, so many chances came and went. It took Micheal Few to ghost into the area and score with a fine finish to put Melton back on the front foot.

There was still time for Nuneaton to score a good goal, but also for Archie Adams to make a fine battling run into the area before squaring to Kendall to get his second and Melton’s eighth. Captain Guy was delighted that his early call to postpone the game because of the weather proved to be premature.

Melton will wait to see how long a break they are likely to have due to the lockdown, sitting comfortably second in the table - only off the top spot on goal difference.