Alex CONNOR-MCLEAN

And it only got better as Raheem Hunter headed home from a corner in the 36th minute and then three minutes before half time Oli Colloty seized on a goalkeeping error to squeeze the ball home on the tightest of angles against his old club for number four.

Then eight minutes into the second half Josh Galletly slammed home a thunderbolt free kick from just outside the area for his first goal since July 23. “This was the best Josh has played since his illness, ” Wilkinson said of Galletly’s wider midfield performance. Christchurch did pull two goals back and hit the crossbar a couple of times, while Max Tommy made two excellent saves. Liam Hayes returned from illness and gave a composed and disciplined display in midfield, while there were no bookings for Melville. John Oakman made his first start for Melville, and Wilkinson was blown away by his contribution, later naming him player of the day. “John has had to be really patient this year and I have even got after him a bit and given him a tough time, but when he got his chance he really took it and was superb at right back, playing back in his hometown.