Town turn up the heat with back-to-back wins

Melksham Town 2-0 Cadbury Heath – Toolstation Premier Div., Saturday 21st Jan  

Melksham Town 5-0 Sherborne Town – Toolstation Premier Div., Saturday 28th Jan ­

MELKSHAM Town  have bounced back from a disappointing start at Oakfields and now have two solid wins and two clean sheets under their belt as they start to chip away at the 14 home games left to play this season.

Town are still unbeaten in the league since October and, having scored seven goals in their last two games, are turning up the heat as they go after the top spot.

They clinched their first win at the new stadium against Cadbury Heath on Saturday 21st, when a goal from Sam Jordan put them in the lead after 20 minutes, then Luke Ballinger sealed the deal 80 minutes in.

Manager Darren Perrin said, “This was a top game and I was delighted we got the win. Cadbury Heath had a player sent off in the first half then Sam put us in front.

“After half time their goalkeeper put in one of the best performances I’ve seen all season but Luke Ballinger managed to grab another goal. It was good to bounce back from the disappointment of losing to Bristol Manor Farm the week before.”

Then, last Saturday, Town triumphed 5-0 over a struggling Sherborne Town in their first big win in months. A goalless first half saw the visitors reduced to ten men after just ten minutes and a lacklustre performance by Melksham.

However, after the break Sam Jordan again opened the scoring for Town just two minutes into the half. Minutes later Gary Higdon scored a penalty, and Jake Hiscocks made it 3-0 on the hour.

Two more goals capped off the game for Melksham when Mike Perrott scored on 75 minutes, then Sherborne scored an own goal less than five minutes later.

Darren said, “We were poor in the first half against Sherborne. We were very lethargic and had the vast majority of possession but didn’t create anything.

“Credit to the players, though; in the second half we got a goal quickly and once the first one had gone in the flood gates opened a bit. It became a much more one-sided affair with us on the attack.”

The wins put Town in third place, three points behind Street with two games in hand. Darren says it’s still all to play for.

“I’m so pleased to have got the back-to-back wins,” he said. “We’re desperate now to win the next three or four and really put the pressure on Bristol Manor Farm.

“Some people are saying they’ve already won the league but I don’t agree. We’re still very much in the mix and Street are in with a good chance as well. Manor Farm have got to come back here and play us again, too – the top spot’s wide open.

“The facilities here are fantastic and we’re going to keep working hard and doing the best we can for the club and the town. We’d love to get promoted but we will have to wait and see.

“Support has been phenomenal recently and I urge fans and the people of Melksham to come along and be our 12th man in the stands.”