Calne Town 0 v 1 Melksham Town
Following a resolute, defensive display against Bristol Rovers on Friday night, a different challenge was put in front of Melksham on a clear Tuesday night as they enjoyed a dominance of the ball on the pitch.
The game kicked off at Bremhill View as Town looked to claim their first win of preseason, and it was Town who went closest to opening the scoring early on as in the 3rd minute of the game it was the post which denied Melksham an early opener. Following the rattling of the post, chances were few and far between in the first half as Melksham controlled possession of the ball, but Calne stood firm against the Southern League side. The half-time whistle blew with Melksham on top but yet break the deadlock.
The second half kicked off and the pattern remained the same; Melksham in possession, Calne doing their best to keep any attacks at bay. Only a minute into the first half and Melksham’s number nine Jack Ball forced a great save from the Lilywhites’ ‘keeper as he had to stretch to the far corner to keep out a powerful header.
In the 67th minute, with Town still seeing all of the action, it was time for the post to deny another opener for Melksham, with a superb cross coming in from the left finding its way through the bodies in the Calne box and off the inside of the post when it looked destined for the bottom corner.
Calne’s only real chance of the game came when Melksham ‘keeper Johns had to be alert to save from close range, before Ryan Morgan scrambled away the loose ball off the line.
Finally, just as it looked as though it was going to be one of those days for Melksham, a little bit of Matt Hurley magic finally broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute, as his 30-yard volley flew into the top corner, leaving the Calne keeper – who had been solid throughout – with absolutely no chance.
Eventually, the full-time whistle sounded at Bremhill View, with Melksham coming away deserved winners, putting in a performance which the score line didn’t do justice as the dominance displayed throughout meant that Melksham have their first win of the pre-season campaign. Up next is a big game at the InfiLED, as League 2 outfit Swindon Town FC come to visit.
Match report by Lewie Simmons.
