Town positive as things start to ‘click into place’

Sat. 14th September. BetVictor Southern League Div 1 South Highworth Town 0 Melksham 3 Sat. 21st September. BetVictor Southern League Div 1 South Melksham Town 1 Thatcham Town 1

MELKSHAM Town have picked up four points from two difficult games against teams in the top ten.

Town travelled to Highworth Town on Saturday 14th September and took all three points and kept a clean sheet. 

Manager, Richard Fey said, “We made nine changes to the team following the loss in our last game against Shepton Mallet, so virtually a new side, but everything clicked into place. 

“It was a great team display that allowed us to take the three away points. Jack Ball confidently scored two penalties and Phil Ormrod came back from a nasty pre-season injury to score too. 

“Phil’s return has been a breath of fresh air and Jack Ball, who is one of the league’s top scorers, is doing fantastically well for just 20 years old.  The game saw us with plenty of chances, we could have scored two or three more; it was a great away result.” 

The InfiLED arena at Oakfields then welcomed second place Thatcham Town on Saturday 21st September to continue the two teams’ rivalry. Although the game ended with Thatcham having just nine men, Melksham were unable to capitalise on the extra players, coming away with a 1-1 draw, with Phil Ormrod scoring for Town.  

Richard said, “The game was a strange one. Thatcham lie second in the table and there is history between the two clubs from previous FA Vase matches, so emotions were high. 

“The last 20 minutes saw Thatcham down to 9 men, however we just couldn’t get that well deserved second goal despite being camped in their 18 yard box. 

“We had plenty of shots but the team had wayward finishing and poor decisions in front of goal. Although, if someone told me at the start of the game that we would walk away with a point, I would have bitten their hand off. At the end of the day, we didn’t lose to a top of the table team, which is really positive. 

“This match saw our new signing, Jamie Bartlett, in goal who saved a penalty which will give him a lot of confidence.  He is a big presence and the club backed me in offering him a contract. He is an excellent goalkeeper and I’m sure he will become a Town favourite.”

Melksham’s next challenge will see them play Evesham United, another top 10 team, on Saturday 28th September at home. 

Richard continued, “We have currently played six games this season, all of which have been against teams in the top 10. Evesham are currently 5th in the table, so it will be another tough game. 

“They are the big spenders of the league and have some proven players from the leagues above. If we can bring the same amount of support we had at the Thatcham game – seeing over 500 supporters at the InfiLED arena –  then we can get a really positive result. 

“Our next three games are hard. After these we will have played 10 out of 11 of the top teams in the league, which is hard for any team to start the season, let alone a very new team like us, following the resignation of most players last season. However, we are gradually getting there as a team.

“We also have been drawn Frome Town in the League Challenge Cup on Monday 30th September at home, which will be another massive game. Quite a lot of players left us last season to join Frome for a number of reasons but we will only worry about ourselves and make sure we are competitive on the night. We want to make our supporters proud.

“In terms of the squad, unfortunately Andy Sandell is out due to a ruptured achilles he gained during his loan and Leigh Bailey has broken his leg through an accident at work. 

“However, good news is that Chris Allen may be rejoining the squad this weekend following a knee injury.”

• Town currently lie 13th in the table with 7 points from 6 games.