MELKSHAM Town’s historic success continued last week as the team won the Wiltshire FA Senior Cup for an unprecedented third time in four years, and three days later smashed their attendance record at the last ever league game at the Conigre.
The team, which finished fifth in this year’s Toolstation Premier League, won the county cup with a shock 2-0 victory over high-flying Salisbury FC on Wednesday 27th April.
Goals from top scorers Gary Higdon and Joe Stradling and a clean sheet from ‘keeper Rob Brown saw Town beat big favourites Salisbury FC in the dramatic cup final at Chippenham’s Hardenhuish Park. Salisbury, managed by former Leicester City player and TV football pundit, Steve Claridge, had already won the Wessex League Premier Division championship this season to be promoted to the Southern League.
Then, last Saturday, Town’s home ground, The Conigre, saw a record crowd of 916 people turn out for the last ever league game after 96 years at the famous old ground.
Manager Darren Perrin told Melksham News after the cup win, “It was a memorable night and a magnificent effort from the players. We watched Salisbury play and felt we had a good chance if we defended well. We did exactly what we wanted to do, and all credit to the Melksham players for an outstanding performance. They rose to the occasion, defended brilliantly and looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
“To have beaten that Salisbury team is truly remarkable, considering they were unbeaten in over 20 games and have a huge budget and a high profile manager. It was fantastic to see so much support from the town as well – we had 400-500 people come along showing the Melksham colours.”
Town’s mammoth effort in the final left them at a disadvantage for their last league game on Saturday, which saw them beaten 2-0 at home by second placed Barnstaple Town. But 916 people showed up for the game – the club’s highest ever attendance at a Toolstation Western League game. Although that was Town’s last league appearance, they have also progressed in another cup competition, The Les Phillips Cup, so will return to the ground this Saturday, 7th May, for the very last time for the semi-final.
Club chairman Dave Wiltshire said, “We smashed our league record of 710 people on Saturday, and I’m absolutely delighted with how many came along to support the team – it was a great day for everyone at the club.
“Barnstaple are a tough opponent and it was a shame we didn’t win, but to have so many spectators shows what a tremendous support we have from the town. It has been another year of massive achievements for the club, and with the move to Woolmore Farm, we’re going to keep going from strength to strength. We hope to see people continue to support Melksham Town, and more and more people getting involved with the club.”
Town will be looking to knock out Hengrove Athletic – a Bristol team which finished this season in 6th place in the Toolstation League’s First Division. The other two teams remaining in the competition – Buckland Athletic and Willand Rovers – finished either side of Melksham in the premier division.
If they win, Melksham will go through to their first ever Les Phillips Cup Final.
Manager Perrin said, “This is a great opportunity for the team to make it to the final for the first time. I strongly fancy our chances in the competition, and winning it would be the icing on the cake.
“It has been another great season – Melksham have finished fifth in the league, won the Wilts Senior Cup, and have a shot at winning the Les Phillips Cup. 2015 was very special with our first ever premier league win but, along with the excitement of moving to our new ground, this year could yet surpass it.”
