Sho GOTO

Melville will face Napier City Rovers in their final home fixture in the 2022 national league championship (on Gower Park No 6) on the back of an excellent run of winning form.

Melville have now won three matches on the trot – an achievement matched only by leaders Wellington Olympic this season – and will be looking to extend that record against a club we last played in the final of the Chatham Cup in 2019. Melville’s winning form continued with a 3-2 away win over Miramar Rangers at David Farrington Park. It means Melville – now fifth with two rounds to play - are at a minimum assured of avoiding the wooden spoon and could even crack the top four – something that was unthinkable a month ago. The three consecutive wins represented Melville’s best-ever effort at national league level. However at the conclusion of the Miramar match coach Sam Wilkinson said he could not lie, and Melville’s overall performance had been “a bit shit” . Having said that, Wilkinson also commended his troops for their formidable spirit and determination in twice coming from behind to win away from home.

By contrast, a frustrated Miramar coach Scott Hales described his team as “f*cking naive” in his aftermatch speech. Rangers went ahead in the 32nd minute when they won a direct free kick just outside the area. Max Tommy saved the shot but the ball cannoned into Liam Hayes – who had conceded the free kick and been booked in an otherwise strong display – and then into the net.

Melville bounced back when Campbell Brown rocketed into the area and was sandwiched by two defenders. Oli Colloty buried the penalty against former Melville custodian Joe Knowles.