Mellor FC: Parker and Magic melt down Steel

Mellor Thirds thrashed Irlam Steel 7-1, with Maciek "Magic" Sobiegraj and Sam Parker each notching hat tricks. Mellor's Marcus McNulty scored the goal of the game with a 25 yard strike into the top corner. The three points puts Mellor Thirds third in the Division C table.

Playing at Wood Lane in Mediterranean sunshine, Mellor started hesitantly against a side with an identical league record, won 2 drawn 1 lost 1. Irlam stroked the ball about confidently and Mellor's passing initially was poor. Jimmy Archer had the first shot on goal after four minutes. But it was Irlam who took the lead after 11 minutes. They broke down the right and their striker was allowed to flick the ball over a Mellor defender before half volleying into the net. Irlam's keeper suggested to your photographer/correspondent that he should be "at the other end".

Maciek Sobiegraj shot wide from a promising position on 14 minutes and a minute later Matt Mills might have done better when he robbed a hesitant defender 20 yards out leaving him a clear run on goal but he rushed his shot sending it over the bar.

Mellor equalised on 25 minutes when Maciek benefitted from a rebound off a defender and worked a shooting chance, sending a low drive into the bottom right hand corner.

Maciek's opener

On 26 minutes Mellor broke down the right and crossed for Maciek to pluck the ball out of the air with his foot but his follow up volley sent the ball high over the bar.

Mellor's defence, well marshalled by Jon Cosgrove and Si Meats, began to nullify Irlam's attack and provide the platform for the home side's offensive.

But on 35 minutes, in a rare breakaway, Irlam got behind Mellor's back four and crossed for the visitors' striker to muff his shot when a goal looked certain.

Mellor took the lead on 38 minutes when, out of nowhere, Marcus McNulty fired in a spectacular 25 yarder into the top right hand corner of Irlam's net.

And on 40 minutes Maciek extended the lead firing home high into the net from 18 yards after more good work by McNulty.

Maciek puts Mellor 3-1 up

On 52 minutes Maciek was through again but the Irlam keeper closed him down quickly and smothered the shot. But three minutes later Sam Parker made it 4-1 with a 22 yarder which cannoned in off the right hand post.

Maciek had the ball in the net again on the hour mark after a Parker shot had been parried but was ruled offside. The Polish striker then missed a sitter from two yards after a good run and cross on the right by Jimmy Archer.

On 72 minutes Parker fed Maciek who strode on unchallenged and coolly slotted past the keeper for 5-1.

Maciek completes his hat trick

With Mellor now on cruise control, Adam Axford then replaced Matt Mills. On 76 minutes Sam Parker made it 6-1, converting a penalty after a handball.

Sam Parker makes it 6-1 from the spot

On 90 minutes a defender crashed into the back of Adam Axford as he tried to control a cross on his chest and referee Russ Hoyte awarded a second penalty which Man of the Match Parker happily converted for 7-1.

Parker scores his second penalty to complete his hat trick

Mellor Firsts turned a 2-0 half time deficit into a 5-2 winning margin away at Old Trafford thanks to a virtuoso Rooney-esque performance from striker Matt Jamieson, who was obviously the Man of the Match. He scored four, including a spectacular overhead kick. Luke Jubb provided the other goal. The win sends Mellor up to eighth in the table.

Mellor Seconds slumped 4-0 against Aldermere away. The Fourths drew 1-1 against Old Stretfordians away. Sean Standen scored for Mellor and Phil Brown was Man of the Match.

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