Penalty and late strike sink Melksham at Bideford

Saturday 13th September

Southern League Div 1 South

Bideford 2-0 Melksham Town

Melksham’s trip to North Devon saw them return home empty-handed from Bideford.

With key players still missing through injury and suspension, the task was always going to be a difficult one and the defeat means it’s now sixth games without a win for Town.

Bideford took the lead in the 43rd minute when Jack Carter’s push was deemed sufficient for the referee to award a penalty which he duly scored from.

The second half, Melksham were guilty of missed chances and the home team secured victory with a late goal.

Jamal Lawrence sees the keeper smother his attack

“We went behind to the penalty but made a few changes at the break and I thought we could get back into the game,” said Manager Mark Collier after the game. “We created a couple of decent chances in the second-half but could not take them and conceded the second when we were chasing the game.

“Today we were better but still a bit off where we want to be. There are key players missing and we need to better in the final third but that comes with confidence which we’re a bit short of.

“We’ve got a week off now and that’s come at a good time for us; hopefully we can get one or two back in. We’re disappointed where we are but there’s a long way to go in the season and I’m positive we’ll turn the corner.”

Town next play next on Saturday when Falmouth Town travel to The Meads of Melksham Community Stadium for 3pm kick-off, closely followed by another home tie on Monday 29th September, kick-off 7.45pm.

Pictures by Estelle Bowden, Starsphinx Photography