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Clay treble ends fine season

Melton 4th XI  1  Coalville Town 4th XI  3

Bodykraft Central League South East Division One

Coalville's fourth string ended their season on a high with a good performance in a close game at already relegated Melton.

Town were just about the better side throughout, and created enough chances to have put Melton firmly out of site. But Coalville-Melton clashes are traditionally close and the game early on could have gone either way.

Town settled first and were only denied by a wonder save from the Melton keeper, who dived to parry a fierce drive heading straight into the top corner wide.

Coalville continued to create chances, with James Dumelow and Adam Martin both seeing efforts denied by the keeper. Melton, too, went close when a forward raced clear only to Kieron Fisher in the Town goal make a fine save to smother the ball.

Eventually the deadlock was broken when Coalville won a penalty corner. The ball was played out to Carl Clay who opted for brute force this time, and blasted the ball against the backboards just beyond the reach of the Melton keeper.

This gave Coalville impetus, and Matt Wooldridge, Ezra Watson, Josh McArthur and Martin now had the edge on their opponents in midfield. Meanwhile, the defensive unit of Liam Bates, Jack Butcher, Sean Rigley and Simon Wyatt were rock steady, and things were looking good for a Coalville win.

Town went inches away from doubling their advantage when Rigley found himself in the opposition dee and hit a cracking shot which cannoned back off the post. But shortly afterwards Coalville did double their lead. Wooldridge cut into the circle hit a shot which was saved on the line by a defender's foot. A penalty stroke was awarded and Clay tucked it home.

Coalville continued to play some nice stuff after this, and shortly after the start of the second half went 3-0 up when Clay completed his hat-trick after McArthur, Martin and Dumelow had sliced open the Melton defence.

McArthur went close to making it 4-0 when his shot flew just inches over the crossbar, and Martin also saw a snapshot turned wide by the Melton keeper.

Melton got a goal back midway through half during a strong spell for the home side, but Coalville finished the game the stronger and could have extended their lead further.

In the end, though, an impressive season from the fourths, many of whom are playing their first season at this level. A fourth or fifth place finish against opposition who are vastly more experienced is definitely something to be proud of!