Lawrence double gets Town off to winning start

Saturday 9th August, Southern League. Melksham Town 2 Sporting Inkberrow 0

Tue. 5th August, FA Cup Extra Prel. Rd Replay. AFC Portchester 3 Melksham Town 1

Sat. 2nd August, FA Cup Extra Prel. Round. Melksham Town 2 AFC Portchester 2

Melksham Town kicked off their Southern League campaign with a 2–0 win over newly promoted Sporting Inkberrow at the Oakfield Stadium on Saturday, thanks to a second-half brace from in-form striker Jamal Lawrence.

The victory was secured by Lawrence’s third and fourth goals of the season, continuing his blistering start to the new campaign. His first – a stunning strike from distance – is already an early contender for goal of the season.

Town boss Mark Collier said, “Every club wants to get that first league win as soon as possible. So Saturday, although not the perfect performance, the objective was achieved.

“Jamal’s second-half double gave us the winning start to the league season and put three points on the board. It was a comfortable win in the end, and a good way to start the campaign.”

The triumph came after Town went out of the Emirates FA Cup against Wessex League champions AFC Portchester. An entertaining 2–2 draw at Oakfield on Saturday 2nd August saw Lawrence open his and the club’s account for the season, before Archie Milne’s 112th-minute penalty secured a replay.

However, the trip to the south coast on Tuesday 5th August proved a step too far. “An inept first 45 minutes ultimately cost us any progression in this year’s tournament,” admitted Mark Collier. Lawrence struck again in the 75th minute, but Melksham were unable to recover from a 3–0 deficit, eventually losing 3–1.

With their first three league points now secured, Melksham face a quick turnaround as they travel to Devon on Wednesday to take on Willand Rovers. The manager is expecting a stern test: “They always prove to be tough opposition, and with them losing last Saturday, we expect to face a determined side,” he said.