Sat. 10th Sept – Toolstation Premier Division
Brislington 2- 5 Melksham Town
Tues. 13th Sept – Toolstation Premier Division
Gillingham Town 2-3 Melksham Town
Sat. 17th Sept – Toolstation Premier Division
Clevedon Town 2-5 Melksham Town
MELKSHAM Town are top of the table after eight wins from 11 away games, and having scored more goals that any British team at their level so far this season.
The side have won four games on the bounce this month, hitting 17 goals and sit proudly at the top of the Toolstation Premier League.
Before Tuesday night’s game, Town were at the top of the table with 26 points from 11 games, and had lost only one league game all season, despite playing on the road for nearly two months as they wait for their new home ground to be finished.
Manager Darren Perrin has praised his players for a ‘fantastic’ effort but says they won’t get complacent and need to keep plugging away. Darren told Melksham News, “The boys have been fantastic. I’m pleased with the recent run of results and all credit to the players, who have been working so hard.
“We are looking tired now and travelling twice a week is getting to all of us, but the guys just keep going.
“I’m not always happy with the performances; we’ve always built our success on clean sheets and being strong defensively, and I’m not seeing that at the moment [Town have conceded 15 league goals].
“There are times when play is sloppy, but we’re getting good results and what the guys have managed so far this season is fantastic.”
Early and late goals have been Melksham’s key to success in recent games, and in all three recent games, the side have scored in the first 15 minutes – on two occasions in under five – and again in the final two.
The fixture against Brislington on 10th September saw David Thompson start the scoring on three minutes. He was followed by Keiran Baggs on 25, Warren Maidment on 36, Luke Ballinger on 57, and Callum Demkiv on 90.
Against Gillingham, on 13th September, Town were less dominant but put in a solid performance, eventually winning 3-2 with a late Gary Higdon goals sealing the three points After Luke Ballinger’s opener on 15 minutes, Town went behind before Shaun Benison equalised in the 80th minute and Higdon sealed the deal on 88.
Melksham picked up five yellow cards in the match, along with four in the previous game.
Darren said, “The Gillingham game gave me a lot of satisfaction. We probably didn’t deserve to win that one but it showed how tough Melksham are. The lads fought back in a hard game and managed to grab two goals in the last ten minutes.
“Getting so many yellow cards is unheard of for us. I think the officiating so far this season has been at an all-time low, which is disappointing. It could have a knock-on effect on some clubs later in the season if players keep picking up unnecessary cautions.”
Town at their last outing against Clevedon Town on 17th September came away with another three points after a 5-2 win.
Luke Ballinger opened the scoring after three minutes. Clevedon equalised in the 63rd but their hopes were short-lived and Gary Higdon scored on 72, Lee Davidson on 75, Ballinger again on 85, and Higdon on 92.
On Sunday 18th September, Twitter account ‘Non League Crowds’ announced that Melksham, with 42 goals from 11 games, are currently the highest scoring team at their level nationwide. Local rivals Bradford Town ranked second with 35.
Melksham Town’s next match will be close to home this Friday, 23rd September in Devizes, against New College Swindon in the FA Vase second round.
