Melksham Town 2-2 Brislington – Toolstation Premier Division, Mon. 22nd Sept.

In front of 212 spectators, Melksham welcomed unbeaten league leaders Brislington to The Conigre, with the homeside looking to continue their fine start to the season, which saw them in third place prior to this game.

The visitors settled better in the opening exchanges and took the lead on 21 minutes through Plummer  who finished well from eight yards.

As the half wore on Melksham began to get into the game and deservedly drew level on 30 minutes, when a Mike Perrott inswinging cross was nodded home at the far post by striker Gary Higdon, who continued his fine scoring run of late.

Only two minutes later Melksham went 2-1 ahead when the Brislington defence failed to deal with a clearance from Alex Hillier, and the ball fell to Higdon who calmly rounded the keeper and slid the ball into the net for his 10th goal of the season.

On 38 minutes Higdon nearly claimed his hat trick but his left foot drive was well saved by the Brislington keeper and the half time whistle blew with Melksham holding a slender 2-1 lead. The second half saw Melksham get off to a slow start and Brislington took advantage of this by knocking home an equaliser on 48 minutes to bring the scores level again at 2-2 and leave the game wide open.

On 57 minutes Melksham introduced Waylen for Barnett. On the hour mark Ben Thomson saw his effort well saved by the Brislington keeper with the on rushing Dan King unable to direct the rebound goalwards and at the other end home keeper Drewitt tipped over a left footed drive from Moss on 69 minutes.

With 15 minutes to go Stead was introduced from the home bench for Rogers. As both sides pressed for the winner Melksham had their strong appeals for a penalty turned down by the referee on 85 minutes when King appeared to be bundled over in the box, and as the game came to a close Waylen saw his far post volley brilliantly saved by the visiting keeper.

The final whistle brought the curtain down on a 2-2 draw which on balance was a fair result.

The game itself was a good advert for Western League Football and both sides can take credit for an entertaining match which kept both sets of fans involved to the final whistle. Prior to the game Melksham Town chairman Dave Wiltshire was presented with the Toolstation Sportsmanship Award on behalf of the club based on their good disciplinary record in the month of August.

Man of the Match Alex Hillier.