Melton solidified its place in the Vic League 2 hockey top four with a hard-fought win over Werribee on Saturday … but it also came away with plenty to work on ahead of finals.
Melton grabbed a goal in each half and for the most part dominated possession en route to a 2-0 win over the Tigers. But Melton co-coach Ron Shadbolt was left with plenty of questions at the final whistle.
“It’s positive to have the win, but I thought we were lucky,” Shadbolt said. “I thought our structures fell down today and to Werribee’s credit, they played some really good hockey.
“We needed the three points, so from that perspective we got the job done, but there’s plenty of work to do.”
Melton looked the better team from the start, controlling the ball through the middle and locking it in their attacking half but not hitting the scoreboard. The team was eventually rewarded when a Werribee defender was struck on the foot in front of goal. Laura Brown stepped up to slot the penalty with a textbook flick high to the keeper’s stick side.
The goal seemed to spark Werribee into action as it pushed for an equaliser, but its chances either side of half time were denied by a stingy Melton defence.
Melton grabbed the all-important second goal just seven minutes into the second half after a scramble in front of goal ended with debutant Chloe Schwarze poking through her first goal in the top team.
The rest of the contest was a classic end-to- end struggle, but Melton’s defence held firm, all but confirming a place in this year’s finals series.
Shadbolt was impressed with two of his side’s younger brigade – including goal scorer Schwarze – but knows his side has plenty to work on. “Zali Ward and Chloe Schwarze were really solid today, and they’re only 13 and 14,” Shadbolt said. “We couldn’t have asked any more of them and it was good to give them an opportunity to perform at this level.
“We’re not a high-scoring team, but we wasted it a bit in front of goal in that first half.
“We need to have some crisper skills to have an impact in finals; that was obvious today. We also probably need to quicken up our decision-making when we come up against those top two teams.”
Melton will get a chance to boost its top-four aspirations hosting sixth-placed PEGS this weekend.
