Melville United makes flying start to football season

Jama Boss scored a hattrick on the opening day of the season. Photo / Grant Stantiall

Melville United Football Club is picking up where it left off last season with an 11-0 win against Oratia United.

The stormy weather did not stop Melville from making an opening day statement as Jama Boss and new striker Josh Davies both picked up hat-tricks while new boy Mark Jones also picked up two goals.

Coach Sam Wilkinson was happy with the start, but was not getting ahead of himself.

"Really pleased with the result and the performance but we are not getting carried away. There will be tougher tests this season that will define us as a team," Wilkinson said.

"The new signings all made a great impact and have brought a new dimension to the way we play."

Within five minutes Melville was two goals up and social media commentators were quick to jump in on the result.

Enzo Giordani, creator of the New Zealand football blog Inthebackofthenet commented on his Twitter page.

"Is it already time to ask who will be the other team promoted with Melville?"

However co-coach of Melville Michael Mayne also shared Wilkinson's cautious approach saying the result meant little currently in the shape of things.

Further north it was not the first result new Claudelands coaches Mark Cossey and Shane Comber wanted as they fell to a 4-1 defeat against Franklin United.

Claudelands took the lead with Dave Smith scoring in the first half, but in the second half goalkeeper Adam O'Rourke was sent off leaving them with 10 men and no keeper.

Franklin was able to capitalise putting four past the Claudeland's defence. Claudelands will now have to look to a local Waikato derby against Cambridge FC on Friday to pick up their first points of the season.

Meanwhile in the LottoNRFL Premier League, Hamilton Wanderers have put summer league woes behind them with a 4-1 win against newly-promoted Western Springs.

Alex Frank scored two while summer league MVP for Wanderers Tommy Semmy also picked up his first goal in the New Zealand winter league. Bailey Foster scored the other on his debut for the club.

On Good Friday Melville will play its first away game to North Shore United. It was away from the home ground, which cost them crucial points last season, with the club hoping to have rectified that issue.

Hamilton Wanderers have the only home game next week in Hamilton at Porritt Stadium to Central United at 3pm.