Melville have broken the drought in northern league men's football and won a match at home for the first time this season, despatching bottom-place Manukau United 2-0.

It was a much-needed result after four losses one draw in previous fixtures at Gower Park, but still leaves Melville eighth on the table ahead of a tough away match against Auckland City on Saturday.

Ryen Lawrence settled Melville with his second goal of the season, in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

But feature of the win was the first goal of the season for Jama Boss, who has returned to Melville from Manukau (where he was team-listed as "Jama Boss Mohammed", and scored one goal for them). 

Indeed this fixture is often informally known as "The Jama Boss Derby" given over the years Jama has arrived and departed from Melville about 25 times and also done so about 15 times from Manukau (these figures are provisional and not yet verified by Ron Anorak).

So there was a certain inevitability he would score, though a feature of the goal was the quality. Excellent work was done by the rest of the Melville team in setting up the opportunity with a fluid move down the left and passes inside the area which allowed Boss to finish.

It was Boss' 74th goal for Melville - after first appearing in 2013 - and he sits fourth on the all-time list (with hitman Marc Evans out in front with 92).

Melville Reserves drew 2-2 after conceding in stoppage time, with their goals coming from Harry Williscroft and sub Noor Ali. Melville are ninth on the table.

Meanwhile Melville premier women were beaten 3-0 away by third-placed West Coast Rangers, ahead of a home game against bottom-placed Western Springs at 1pm Sunday (May 24).

Melville women's reserves lost 3-1 to West Coast Rangers, with their goal a 67th minute strike to Hayley Bennett.

Article added: Thursday 21 May 2026