Melville continued their unbeaten pre-season northern league run with a 4-0 home win over Mt Albert Ponsonby which featured some high quality goals.

One of the concerns for the new campaign was where the goals would come from, given the departure of the four top scorers from 2022.

In this contest the goals came from Jack Connor, Jakob England (2) and Quinton Kipara and they were all eye-catching in their own way.

Connor netted early when he spun nicely within the penalty area, beating a defender and the keeper with an expertly placed shot.

In a match played in three thirds there was also a lot of puddling pre-season play before England – who was Melville Reserves top goalscorer last season - applied a classy finish by lobbing the advancing keeper from outside the area.

Jakob England finishes expertly.

Kipara, who has only ever scored one goal for Melville at northern league level, came on and smashed home a thunderbolt special. Joyous celebrations included team mates singing happy birthday to Kipara, who turned 24 on the day.

Any goal from Quinton Kipara is a Collector’s Item.

And England again showed his finishing class with a booming far post volley which had some spectators wondering if he was the new Oli Colloty.

Melville coach Jarrod Young was happy with the performance.

“Another good game in pre-season,” he said. “We found a few problems and struggled to play the way we are trying to, but after the break came out and looked better.”

Melville Reserves drew 2-2 with Mt Albert Ponsonby.

On Saturday March 4 Melville host Eastern Suburbs at 12 noon at Gower Park. At this stage there is every chance play will be back on Gower No 1, after an absence of five months.

# On February 22 a Melville XI comprised of Aaron Scott, Max Tommy and the Wednesday night training group drew 1-1 with Ngaruawahia United. As a result of incidents that occurred during the match referee Hamzi Mahagna said he had been asked to write a report for WaiBOP Federation.

JAKOB ENGLAND: More like Jakob Brazil on this showing.