THE new season has got off to a flying start for Melksham Town, with a convincing win in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup. But the team now face their biggest test yet – their debut match in the Southern League this weekend.
As the club prepares to make history against league favourites Evesham United this Saturday, Town’s manager, Kieran Baggs, has said that as the underdogs of the Southern League, they will play without fear in the hope that they cause some shocks and upsets in the new season.
About the FA Cup extra preliminary round match against Badshot Lea last Saturday, which Town won 4-0, Kieran said, “A great start to the season, couldn’t ask for better. We played some great football, and scored some good goals. Badshot Lea worked hard, but it was a comfortable and professional win for us – we were deserved winners. It showed that all the pre-season work had paid off and brought all the lessons learnt in training to the forefront.”
The FA Cup match saw goals from Neeks Plummer, Luke Ballinger, Jon Davies. and Gary Higdon – who made his 350th appearance for the club.
“I’m running out of good things to say about this guy,” joked Kieran. “To make that many appearances for one club is a credit to his loyalty – he deserves all the plaudits. For the Badshot Lea game he started on the bench – he has not long come back from holiday – so to make his 350th appearance and score a goal was a great achievement.”
Coming up for Town in their first game in the Southern League this Saturday, 18th August, the club will take on Evesham United, favourites to be promoted this season.
“We’re all looking forward to getting started,” said Kieran. “I’m looking forward to testing myself up against new teams. It’s a very exciting time for the club – it’s the highest level the club has ever played at. It will be a big moment in the club’s history, which is great for the players, the fans and for the committee who have given up so much of their time to support us.
“Looking ahead it could be an enjoyable season for us – there’s no pressure for us to win the league – we will be underdogs, but hopefully we can cause some upsets and shocks – we could even do it this Saturday against Evesham!
“Evesham are favourites to go up, so it will take our best performance, maybe even of the season, to cause an upset. You always want to start well in a new season, but the pressure will be on Evesham to perform as they will be expected to comfortably win against the team that have just been promoted.
“I will tell the boys that we are massive underdogs, that’s a fact as form suggests that we will be comfortably beaten, but they should play with no fear. We need to make sure that we give it the best shot possible.”
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