Town battle to crucial victory as season enters final stretch. Debut for two local 16-year-olds

Southern League Division One South

Saturday 22nd March

Melksham Town 3-0 Willand Rovers

Saturday 15th March

Yate Town 1-1 Melksham Town

Wednesday 12th March

Tavistock 3-2 Melksham Town

Melksham Town have kept their play-off hopes alive with a 3-0 home win on Saturday against Willand Rovers.

First half goals from Henry Sady and two from Elliot Haffenden ensured the victory to keep the club in and around the play-offs.

Town gave debuts to two local 16-year-olds, Ashton Arlow and Louis Millard, who both came on as substitutes. “They are both from Melksham Oak School and have come through our youth section into the reserves and are now getting an opportunity in the first team,” said manager Mark Collier. “Ashton and Louis have impressed when training with the first team and have bright futures ahead.”

The previous Saturday, 15th March, Town earned a dramatic 1-1 draw away at league leaders Yate Town despite losing Robbie James to a straight red card and having coach Luke Ballinger in goal for more than an hour following an injury to goalkeeper Jude Franks who was stretchered off after dislocating his knee.

Henry Sady scored the Town goal on 28 minutes before Robbie James saw red. Yate equalised on the hour mark but the visitors held out for a hard-earned point.

Mark Collier paid tribute to his side’s spirited and gutsy display, playing with ten men and with a makeshift keeper against the league leaders.

“Jude’s injury is a blow to us as he had done so well,” he said. “We have replaced him with the Swindon Town youth goalkeeper Lucas Myers who had a very impressive debut against Willand Rovers.”

On Wednesday 12th March, Melksham left Tavistock disappointed when a late goal saw the back-to-back fixtures against the Devon side end in defeat. After going two goals down before half-time, Town came roaring back soon after the break with goals from Nathan Davis and Alex Hallett, before the home side found the late winner.

With six games to play, Melksham trail fifth place Exmouth Town by six points and fourth place Bemerton Heath Harlequins by seven who have both played one game less.

“We now travel to Falmouth this Saturday in good spirits and hopefully we can add to our points tally,” added Mark.

• Town have signed 20-year-old defender Jake Wilson from Corsham Town, who also went straight into the side for the Willand match. Mark Collier said, “We have been monitoring Jake for a while and watched him myself. He is very quick, technically good and will bring real competition for places. Several Southern League clubs were chasing his signature so we are particularly pleased to get it over the line.”