MELKSHAM Town entertained bottom-of-the-table Slimbridge on Saturday 25th February and before the game, made a presentation to joint presidents Mike Perrin for his 60-year service to the club and Dave Phillips who, the previous week, watched his 2,000th Melksham game.
Chairman Darren Perrin said, “Both are magnificent servants and legends to Melksham Town Football Club.
“Town started the game really well and raced into a two-goal lead through new signing, Luke Hopper, and a great free kick from Sam Hendy. The first half was one-way traffic, with the Town playing some great attractive football and manager, Mark Collier, must have been slightly disappointed not to have gone into half time with a much bigger lead.
“However good the first half was, the second half can only be described as poor at best. Town became very complacent, sloppy and within 20 minutes of the break, Slimbridge had pulled the game back to 2-2 and to be fair, looked the only winners.
“As the game entered the last five minutes, Town threw on sub and assistant manager, Luke Ballinger, and it was Luke who stabbed home an 88th-minute winner to send the crowd of 351 into raptures. Make no mistake, Town got away with three points, but shows the quality of the side and character to win a game when playing poorly.
“The win leaves Melksham six points outside the play-off positions, with a game in hand and plenty to play for.
“On Saturday, the Town travel the short distance to Paulton and on Tuesday March 7th, we host Westbury United in the semi final of the Wiltshire Premier Shield, with a final at the County Ground at stake. Kick-off is 7.45pm and this is an ‘all pay gate’ as per Wiltshire County FA rules. Please come along and support your local community football club.”
