‘We need the town to be our 12th man’ says Darren Perrin

Sat. 4th Feb – Toolstation Premier Div.
Melksham Town 4-1 Brislington
Tues 7th Feb – Toolstation Premier Div.
Wells City 3-3 Melksham Town
Sat 11th Feb – Toolstation Premier Div.
Melksham Town 6-0 Clevedon

MELKSHAM Town continue to enjoy their unbeaten run in the league but with only 10 home games left, manager Darren Perrin isn’t complacent.

Town haven’t lost a  league game since October and having scored 13 goals in the last three games, confidence continues to grow at Oakfields and sights are firmly set on a top two finish.

Town welcomed Brislington to the Oakfields stadium on Saturday 4th February, when a free kick in the 13th minute from Ben Thomson put Town ahead. 14 minutes into the second half, a cross from Lee Davidson found the head of Gary Higdon to extend Town’s lead and five minutes later Higdon was once again on the end of free kick, making it 3-0 to Town. With 20 minutes to go, Town continued to look dangerous and Sam Jordon got on the end of a Ben Thomson free kick to make it 4-0. Brislington did manage to pull one back just before the whistle but this was comprehensive win for Town.

A disappointing away draw at Wells City followed as Town let a 3-0 lead slip through their fingers. Mike Perrott put Town ahead just 3 minutes into the game followed by two goals from Gary Higdon in the 18th and 33th minute. But Town took their eye off the ball and Wells made a comeback with three second half goals, grabbing a point with five minutes to play as the game finished 3-3.

Back on home turf, Town thrashed Clevedon 6-0 with goals from Gary Higdon, Sam Jordon, Mike Perrott and Joe Stradling.

“We let ourselves down against Wells City and I was very angry,” said Darren Perrin. “We we’re all extremely disappointed. We dropped two points and at this stage of the season, we can’t afford to be throwing away points in that way. It was down to a lack of application and concentration.

“But credit to the lads, they picked themselves up and responded in the right way with an impressive win against Clevedon. The crowd is definitely getting value for money with the number of goals going in and long may it continue.

“Team moral and team spirit is high at the moment especially after the win last weekend.

“But I can’t stress this enough – we’re at a crucial stage of the season and we really need Melksham to  get behind us and be our 12th man in the stands. The support on and off the pitch has been phenomenal but with only ten home games left, we need Melksham roaring us on and helping us over the finish line.

“We’ve got a game in hand over Bristol Manor Farm so if we win, we’re only seven points behind, a top two finish is definitely achievable. Bristol Manor Farm are a great team but you can’t take your eye off Street and Buckland Athletic because both teams are playing really well.

“But we are focused on ourselves and keeping our own house in order. The whole football club is on a high at the moment, especially with the new facilities which are fantastic. But, we need the town’s support to drive us forward. We’ve had a great season so far and anything is possible.”