Melksham Town 0-0 Willand Rovers – Toolstation Premier Division, Sat. 14th March

Melksham Town entertained Willand Rovers, who had made the journey up from Devon for the last scheduled Toolstation Western League fixture at The Conigre, in front of a healthy attendance of 521, the biggest in the league in the current season.

The Conigre has been the home of the Town for over 95 years, and is being developed as part of the Wiltshire Council Community Campus project for the town, with the club moving to a new purpose built stadium and associated facilities, to also cater for the club and its youth sides, at Woolmore Farm adjacent to Melksham Oak School.

The game ended in a 0-0 draw with the Town failing to capture their recent form of late, but credit should be given to a talented visiting side who themselves will have a big say in where the league title ends up this season.

The opening quarter was fairly cagey although the visitors threatened on 23 minutes, and it needed a good block from Fielding to block an effort from Durham. In truth the first half provided little goal mouth action, with Willand edging the possession but finding it difficult to create anything of note.

On 34 minutes the home side fans were delighted to see the referee point to the spot after a foul on Kovacs, but their joy was short lived when the assistant referee spotted an earlier offside decision and the award was rightly reversed.

As the half time interval approached Benison shot over for the Town after a pass from Higdon, and the half time interval saw the sides level at 0-0.

In the early part of the second period Brown in the home goal, who had looked secure throughout, saved well from Alden.

On 72 minutes Town manager Perrin introduced Rogers for Benison and further introduced King for Kovacs on 74 minutes.

On 77 minutes the changes almost paid dividends when the only real clear cut opportunity presented itself to Melksham, when a strong run by Rogers down the Town right saw him pull the ball back to Higdon who found himself free for the first time in the match only 10 yards out, but his effort was too close to visiting keeper Parkin who knocked the ball away to safety, and Thomson’s follow up effort sailed over.

On 80 minutes Fielding again blocked a Alden effort for Willand and despite both sides best endeavours the game ended in a 0-0 draw which saw the Town retain their lead on top of the Toolstation Western League with a run of eight away games on the bounce to finish the season.

Ryan Bennet at centre back was strong throughout and rewarded with his man of the match award in the after match celebrations which went well on into the night.

It remains to be seen whether the Town team can continue their superb efforts so far this season and secure their highest place ever in the league (highest place in history to date 3rd),  but having been dismissed by many they still have plenty to play for.