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Town slip to defeat in local derby

Coalville Town 2 Melton 4 

Bodykraft East Midlands Premier Division

Coalville suffered yet another home defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing county rivals Melton on Saturday in the Bodykraft East Midlands Premier Division.

The game started at a frenetic pace, with both sides having chances to open the scoring. Ryan Mason saw a shot flash wide, while Mark Newman saw another effort well saved. At the other end, Melton's top scorer Jason Creed was denied by a close range save from Coalville keeper Paul Marston, who then stopped the same player's penalty corner strike with his stick.

But it was Coalville who eventually broke the deadlock with a superb goal. Andy Newman picked the ball up on the left and played a superb reverse stick pass into the path of brother Mark, who then deftly deflected the ball high into the top corner of the Melton goal to make it 1-0 for the County Drains-sponsored side.

But Melton hit back quickly, levelling the game with a well worked goal. Coalville started to lose the game in midfield, but still looked a threat going forward. Mason saw a drag flick penalty corner parried away by the Melton keeper, while Newman again saw another go wide.

Shortly before the half time interval, Melton took the lead when Coalville conceded possession and Melton's Danny Willcock was put clear, rounded Marston and slipped the ball home.

Town went in at the break knowing they were still in the game, but just needed to cut out some of the mistakes that had cost them in the first half. They came out with new determination, one mazy run from Brian Robinson saw a desperate last-ditch tackle from a Melton defender.

Adam Barnett was having an assured game at the back, and young Liam McArthur had moved into defence after Gareth Gamble picked up an injury in the first half. Unfortunately, the Town youngster didn't quite get tight enough on the lively Creed, and he blasted home a third five minutes into the second half.

But Coalville came back again after this, and pulled it back to 3-2 with another superbly worked goal. James Woodard slipped the ball out of the left for Mark Newman and he raced around the back of the Melton before slipping it across the area for Mike Browbank to fire home.

Coalville now had their tails up, and went all out for an equaliser. Phil Sign soon saw one shot flash wide, while Browbank also forced a save out of the Melton keeper. But as Town pushed forward, they left more and more gaps at the back. After Melton twice went close, Town eventually succumbed to a counter attack goal leaving a Melton forward to tap home into an empty goal.

A decent performance from Town, and if they can just cut out some of the sloppy moments then they should have no worries about being dragged into a relegation scrap. Town don't have a game this weekend, but return to action December 15 against league leaders North Notts.