Sat. 7th March. Southern League Div. One Melksham Town 2 Bideford 3
MELKSHAM Town FC’s manager, Richard Fey, is calling on the town to get behind the club as they make a bid to secure their spot in the Southern League play-offs.
Despite a home loss last weekend against Bideford, Town remain in the play-off places in fifth place.
With 10 games remaining, Richard says that the club is going to ‘have a good go’ at making this a season to remember – but they need supporters to get behind them.
Speaking to Melksham News, Richard said, “I find it really exciting. We have 10 games to go and we are still sat in the play-offs. We are trying to enjoy it – no-one thought we’d be anywhere near the play-offs back in May!
“I say this every week, but we need the support of the town. Our next two home games are against Larkhall (21st March) and Winchester (28th March) – and both are in the play-offs with us.
“I’m calling for the whole town to get behind us. We need an atmosphere like the one we had against Frome – we need a crowd to shout and cheer us on to a positive result. These are two games against two very tough, established teams in the Southern League – hopefully we can get positive results with a positive crowd behind us.
“We will give our all from now until the end of the season. It’s scary – what a position to be in! We’re really looking forward to the challenge. Every game is going to be tough, every game is a cup final – especially when teams come to Melksham. Other sides up their game when they visit us because of our facilities. This is when everyone has to pull together. We’re fifth in the league going into the last 10 games of the season, which gives us something to play for, and we are going to have a good go.”
This fortnight was a quiet one for Town, with games against Sholing and Willand Rovers called off due to water-logged pitches. Their only game of the fortnight was last weekend, as Town welcomed Bideford to the InfiLED Arena at Oakfields.
It looked like things would go Town’s way, after goals from Albie Hopkins and Jack Ball gave them a 2-0 half time lead. But a disappointing second half ended with Town losing 2-3.
“We hadn’t played for two weeks and I think that showed in the second half performance,” said Richard. “We put ourselves in a excellent position, 2-0 up at half time. We asked for more of the same in the second half – we had the wind behind us, so we thought we could go on and get the third and fourth goal – unfortunately we didn’t.
“Joe Romanski had a great chance just after half time to make it 3-0, but their goalkeeper made an excellent save. And then two minutes later, the ball was in the back of our net.
“And as soon as that goal went in, it felt like the supporters and the players got nervous and we just went deeper and deeper and invited them on. It was a shame, as we got ourselves in a good position to take the three points.
“But we have to give credit to Bideford, they have taken points off all the top teams. It was disappointing to lose, but when you look at the other results that weekend, teams above us were dropping points too. There are going to be plenty of twists and turns between now and the end of the season.”
