Sat. 16th March. Evo-Stik Southern Div. One Melksham Town 3 Highworth Town 2 Sat. 23rd March. Evo-Stik Southern Div. One Slimbridge AFC 1 Melksham Town 3.
Town’s Southern League play-off hopes have been given a boost with two wins.
Town (before Tuesday night’s game) sit two spots outside of the play-offs in seventh position. But with Town on good form, assistant manager Luke Ballinger is hopeful the club can make their debut season in the Southern League one to remember.
Speaking to Melksham News on the eve of their match against Cinderford Town (scheduled for Tuesday 26th March), Luke said, “Before the game against Highworth I said that we need to win at least six or seven of the last 10 games – so far we have won three, with seven games left of the season.
“But we have a tough run ahead of us – we have matches coming up against four teams in the top eight, so it is going to be difficult. But we are in good form at the moment and hopefully the momentum will keep us pushing on.”
Reflecting on Town’s win 3-2 home against Highworth Town, Luke said, “The wind made for very tough conditions. However, we played very well in the first half against the wind – it was a good performance from everyone who played.”
Half-time saw Town with a 2-0 lead with goals from Neikell Plummer and Mark Cooper. “It was important that we maintained this form for the second half,” said Luke, “but unfortunately we gave away a goal at early doors in the second half, which gave Highworth an opportunity to get themselves back in the game.
“Mark Cooper scored his second goal of the match making it 3-1. But Highworth got another goal in at the end.
“It was a good performance overall, but it was disappointing to concede such sloppy goals. We are aware that we have had only one clean sheet in 2019 – this is something that we are very concious of and are trying to sort out. But three-points against Highworth is a very pleasing result.”
Town’s next win came away at Slimbridge AFC, with a 3-1 victory. “We have had some tough games against Slimbridge this season, even though they are near the bottom of the league, so we knew that we had to be prepared,” said Luke.
“We scored quite early on and although Slimbridge had some players missing from their line-up, it was a tough game but a very comfortable win in the end – a comfortable routine afternoon of football. Slimbridge did score a goal in the last few minutes making it 3-1, so it was disappointing to concede another sloppy goal but three points keeps things moving along nicely.”
Goals for town came from Neikell Plummer and Luke, who scored two goals, taking his goal tally for Town to 100.
Luke said, “I’m not an ‘all out’ striker at the moment, I seem to play everywhere – so to score my 100th goal is a nice personal achievement. But it’s not all about me, it’s about the team and us working together to get as many points as we can.
“I’m not sure I’ll be around long enough to score another 100 goals, but we shall see!”
