Sat. 21st October, Southern League Div One South
Larkhill Athletic 1-0 Melksham Town
MELKSHAM travelled to Bath to play local rivals Larkhall Athletic on Saturday, looking to put defeats to Yate and Bideford behind them, reports club chairman Darren Perrin.
After the torrential amount of rain that we had from midweek, the actual playing surface was not bad but the length of the grass was not conducive to playing passing football.
Town started quite well for the first 10 minutes and went close through an Albie Hopkins free kick and a shot from Ben Brooks which were both well saved by the Larkhall keeper.
However, it was Larkhall who were the better side for the rest of the first half, hitting the post when it was easier to score and putting Town under pressure with several corners and set pieces. Town were happy to hear the half time whistle and to go into the break goalless.
In the second half, Town produced a much better performance and hit the bar and had a shot cleared off the line. We played some good football in the second half and in the last 20 minutes looked the likelier side to go and win the match.
However, disaster struck in the 94th minute when the match referee (who for 90 minutes did well) got a massive decision wrong. He missed a blatant foul on Jack Carter in the lead up and then surprised and shocked everyone in the ground, including the Larkhall players and staff by awarding a shocking penalty decision against Town. Despite the protests, the Larkhall man scored from the spot and just seconds later the full-time whistle went.
Although a disappointing result, Town deserved a point for their gritty, resilient second half performance and with perhaps a bit of luck may have nicked the three points, which would have been harsh on Larkhall.
Town need to dust themselves down as we welcome title favourites Mousehole from the far end of Cornwall to the Oakfield Stadium for the very first time on Saturday 28th October. Mousehole are new to the league and play a fantastic brand of football;we are under no illusions how tough the game will be.
The league table is very, very tight at the moment but if we could get the Melksham faithful to turn up in their numbers on Saturday and get behind the lads, who knows if we could produce a shock result.
Reminder to get your tickets for the spectacular Fireworks evening at the Football and Rugby Club on Friday 3rd November and Melksham Town Football Club would like to congratulate Melksham Rugby Club on their Dorset & Wilts team of the month award and for their fantastic start to the season. Well done.
