Wilbraham 3 Melbourn 4MELBOURN kept made it 20 games unbeaten thanks to a Kris Watters hat trick which takes the striker to 25 goals for the season. But despite Watters' match-winning performance, it was perhaps the trials and tribulations of captain Jas

Wilbraham 3 Melbourn 4

MELBOURN kept made it 20 games unbeaten thanks to a Kris Watters hat trick which takes the striker to 25 goals for the season.

But despite Watters' match-winning performance, it was perhaps the trials and tribulations of captain Jason Gray which typified Melbourn's performance.

In a game that started evenly, Gray was unfortunate to get a yellow card inside the first 10 minutes but as the half continued it was clear the skipper had been singled out for rough treatment from Wilbraham and it took great determination and concentration by Gray to avoid the retaliation his opponents were trying to provoke.

After an even opening, Melbourn steadily applied pressure as the game progressed and half-way through the half Watters hit his first.

As Wilbraham failed to clear a corner the ball fell to Jamie Clarke whose superb ball into the centre of the box caught the Wilbraham defence flat-footed and left Watters to power a superb header through the Wilbraham keeper's grasp.

Wilbraham showed good spirit and pulled level with just minutes of the half remaining, but Watters was on hand to put his team back in front moments later when his scuffed shot, coming after some fine work by Andrew Morris, deceived the keeper and the ball bobbled over him into the net.

The second half started with Wilbraham very much on the front foot, but15 minutes in an Andrew Gray long throw was deflected onto Watters foot and he finished high into the net for his hat trick.

The home side showed great determination and in a five minute period with 10 minutes to go scored two goals to creep level following two poorly defended corners.

But Melbourn showed a great ability to recover and with two minutes to go Morris played the ball inside to the superb Ben Fox who returned the pass only to see Morris bundled over in the box.

The referee blew his whistle, the players held their breath and Jason Gray's shot was saved - but minutes later the captain popped up with the winning goal when he headed home a corner to seal Melbourn's 10th win in a row.