A stunning six-goal haul from Stephen Lawrence guided Melton to an important win over Collegians in Vic League 3 men’s hockey at the weekend.
With three clear standout teams breaking away from the pack, Melton and Collegians were the two sides best placed to claim the final spot in the top four heading into the second half of the season.
Melton was clinging to fourth by a single point, but a complete game from the Mustangs delivered them a 9-0 win and some breathing space on the ladder.
Four goals in the first half broke the game open, and five more in the second finished the job, with just two Mustangs doing the scoring.
Lawrence was the standout, with his six goals shooting him to the top of the league goal standings.
He has 14 from just seven games and the best strike rate in the competition.
He got good support from Lachlan Vallance, who bagged his second straight hat-trick to push the Mustangs’ goal difference back into the positives.
They will face a stern test this week when they host Greater Dandenong, which is one spot higher than Melton on the ladder but 10 points clear and fighting for the double chance with Croydon Ranges and ECHO.
In good news for the depth at Melton, the men’s reserves grabbed a 4-0 win to jump back in to the top four.
In women’s Vic League 2, it was a less enjoyable day for Melton, the side slumping to a 12-0 loss to MHSOB to remain rooted to the bottom of the ladder.
The women’s reserves also endured a torrid afternoon, giving up 13 goals in their loss.
