In front of a bumper crowd of 357 at The Conigre, swelled by the ranks of the Toolstation Western League’s first “Groundhoppers ” weekend Melksham brought up their fifth win of a six game unbeaten league run which has seen them move up to third in the league.
With striker Dan Kovacs still not 100% fit Town manager Darren Perrin was able to call on the services of Frome striker Ricky Hulbert and Ian Jeffery started his first game since injury in August.
The first half was a fairly even contest with Melksham looking slightly more dangerous in front of goal and the home side took the lead on 15 minutes when Sean Benison, featuring in a central midfield role, whipped in a cross to the near post where Gary Higdon flicked home a deft header to put Melksham 1-0 ahead.
The game did not really settle down in a stop start first period as both sides looked to impose themselves on the game, and in an untidy 10 minutes around the half hour mark both Flockton and Fielding for Melksham rightfully picked up cautions for poor challenges that on another day might have led to more severe punishment.
The interval was reached with Melksham holding a slender 1-0 advantage but with the points definitely up for grabs. Melksham nearly grabbed a second goal on 48 minutes after a fine run and cross from Hulbert was driven goalwards by Benison, only for Filkins in the Gillingham goal to produce a fantastic save to keep his effort out.
Hulbert headed wide under pressure from Filkins on 55 minutes as Melksham strove for another goal, but as the half wore on it was Gillingham who sensed they could get something from this game with Vance prominent in midfield.
On 67 minutes Town introduced Will Thomson for Stradling, and on 71 minutes Brown in the Town goal saved well from Ormrod before on 78 minutes the same player missed a glorious opportunity to bring the scores level by blasting over from eight yards when well placed.
On 81 minutes Melksham’s Ben Thomson drove his effort just wide of the post after good link up play by Hulbert and Higdon, whilst at the other end Flockton was instrumental in keeping a few dangerous looking visiting attached at bay, before on 82 minutes Melksham grabbed an all important second goal.
A delightful floated cross from Ben Thomson was met at the far post by a towering Higdon header from close range to put Melksham 2-0 ahead and bring up the strikers 10th goal of the season.
However if Melksham thought the game was over they were rocked back on 87 minutes when Smith glanced in a cross to give the visitors just reward for their second half display.
As the game entered into injury time Hulbert laid the ball into the path of substitute Thomson but the youngster saw his effort saved by the feet of the keeper, and despite a few balls into the Town box as the clock ran down, the homeside held onto the 2-1 score line and went away with a hard earned three points.
The previous day had saw the Town’s A team gain a comprehensive 7-0 victory over AFC Bradley with a 4 timer from Sean Horobin, 2 from Will Jacomb and one from Sam Robinson.
The midweek fixtures saw the Town’s Under 18s run out 2-0 winners at Bradford Town with goals from Tom Jones and Alex Churchyard.
• The club would like to invite all interested parties to the Annual General Meeting at the football club on Tuesday 27th October with a 7.45pm start.
