‘Unlucky’ Town exit FA Trophy

Sat. 9th Nov. Southern League Div. One Gosport Borough 4 Melksham Town 2

Town’s interest in this year’s FA Trophy came to an end with a 4-2 defeat at Gosport Borough, despite a valiant effort against a Southern Premier League side, reports Richard Nelsen.

A classic cup tie on the south coast in Hampshire in a gritty and entertaining match. The game got off to a frenetic start in wet and blustery conditions. Gosport looked comfortable on the ball from the start and quickly worked the ball down the left through Rory Williams, his dangerous ball into the box was not cleared by the Melksham defence and fell to Matt Paterson. Paterson controlled the ball and fired it into the bottom corner of the net past Jamie Bartlett. 

Despite the quick start Melksham soon began to get into the game and won a series of corners. In only the fifth minute, a dangerous corner from Luke Ballinger was met by a looping header from David Thompson. His header clipped against the underside of the bar and looked to have crossed the line, but the referee and his assistant didn’t agree. Joe Romanski was next to threaten for Melksham when he volleyed over from another corner as his side grew into the game.

Gosport threatened next when a dangerous ball was clipped through and Matt Hurley nearly put it past his keeper. Melksham then proceeded to get a grip of the match with Daniel Ojo lively on the left wing. He twice broke through on the left hand side and brought excellent saves from Patrick O’Flaherty. Melksham looked the more likely to score next in the lead up to half time, but were dealt a sucker punch when just minutes before the break Gosport extended their lead. A contentious offside was not given, the ball broke to Theo Lewis, who calmly slotted the ball home.

The second half began with Gosport threatening immediately through a Theo Lewis shot from six yards out, which was saved by Bartlett. Melksham refused to be overawed and five minutes into the second half, Jack Ball was felled on the edge of the box, and Luke Ballinger stepped up and slammed home a free kick into the bottom corner,   to the delight of the travelling fans.

Melksham were very much back in the tie and looked dangerous over the next period of play. A game-changing moment then occurred when Chris Flood for Gosport looked to force the ball home. Jamie Bartlett thought he had stopped the ball on the line, but the assistant referee raised his flag and a goal was given.

At 3-1 Gosport probably were confident that they would see the game out, but less than five minutes later, Melksham had fought their way back into the match, with Josh Ford excellently controlling the ball in the box and deftly finishing.

It was game on and Melksham looked dangerous. Matt Hurley and Dave Thompson both threatened from long range as the time ticked by. Aidan Chainey won challenge after challenge in midfield and kept the Melksham side moving forward and looking likely to create further chances.

Gosport were always dangerous on the break and as Melksham piled forward looking for a well deserved equaliser, they were caught out by a well-executed Gosport attack, with Matt Paterson slotting home from six yards out.

It finished with a Gosport win, but Melksham did themselves proud and were unlucky not to take their hosts back to Wiltshire.”

• The Southern League away match against Bideford scheduled for Saturday 16th November was cancelled due to a serious accident on the M5.