Melton Town won their Extra-Preliminary Round tie in The Emirates FA Cup with a 2~0 win over local rivals Harrowby United.

The match started at a slow pace, with the only real chance falling to the visitors when Harry Allcock had a speculative effort from the edge of the area which Bill Harrison easily saved. Melton’s Will Norcross picked up the ball on the halfway line and ran past three defenders before seeing his shot go narrowly wide.

Halfway through the first half, a slip by Joseph Nicholson saw Rhys Walwyn-Alsop clear on goal, and, from a tight angle, he tried to beat the keeper at the near post but Jake Frestle was able to smoother the shot.

The visitors should have taken the lead on the half hour when Taylor Gray and Allcock played a one two before shooting across the six-yard line. Almost immediately Melton went on a quick break through Ryan Calver who played Kieran Hayes in which needed a great save from Frestle.

A minute later another quick break saw the ball played over the top to Kairo Edwards-John, whose half volley needed to be tipped over the bar. Then, right on halftime, Walwyn-Alsop found Calver unmarked on the penalty spot but his effort could only find the keeper.

Melton increased the pressure in the second half. A ball through to Edwards-John saw the forward breeze past two defenders before hitting a low shot which went inches wide. The same player tried his luck from 25 yards which sailed a foot over the bar. Then in the 62nd minute Melton broke the deadlock, when a ball over the top beat the offside trap and Edwards-John slipped the ball past the keeper.

Calver nearly doubled the lead with a shot which was deflected just the wrong side of the post. Melton continued to dominate and Syme Mulvaney cut in from the touch line and had a shot blocked on the line. Then Melton increased their lead in the 74th minute when a ball was played out wide to Norcross who cut in and placed a sweet shot into the top corner.

Two minutes to go, a misplaced pass found Mulvaney clear on goal but his effort from just inside the touchline could only find the side netting. Deep into injury time and a ball was played into Allcock who touched the ball onto Tom Harris, whose screamer needed Harrison to dive and push past the post.

It was an entertaining cup tie, which saw Melton winning for just the third time in this competition. The hosts deserved the victory and now face Goole away in the Preliminary Round. It’s back to league action next Saturday though and Melton will be looking for their first league win, as they host Harrowby United again.

Melton Town

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