Match Report: Melksham Town vs Bristol Manor Farm
Another tough challenge awaited Town on Saturday afternoon as play-off chasing Bristol Manor Farm travelled to Oakfields. The visitors themselves would be looking to avenge their 3-1 defeat to Melksham in the reverse fixture, however this time they would be without striker Kyle Tooze; the forward now leading the line against his former club for the hosts.
The game was off to a lively start with the opening 5 minutes seeing chances at both ends. First Matt Hall denied Jake Gosling, then on the counter Jake Mawford was inches away from giving his side the lead.
As the visitors looked more dangerous as the half went on, there were warnings signs for town when Evander Grubb got in behind once, with Town managing to cut out the danger. However, when the winger managed to get in on goal the second time, Matt Hall was judged to have brought the forward down and therefore a penalty was awarded to the visitors. Ben Bament put away the resulting penalty to give his side the lead after 23 minutes.
After the goal it was Town’s turn to apply the pressure, first Vaughn Covil forced the ‘keeper into a good save, then Kyle Tooze and Jay Malshanskyj also went close with good chances. It was nearly an error from Manor Farm ‘keeper Ben John that gave Town an equaliser; Vaughn Covil’s shot proved too much to handle for the ‘keeper and the ball almost nestled into the far corner but for a couple of inches.
The visitors went in at the break with the all-important goal in what had been an entertaining opening 45. In the second half Town knew they would have to maintain the pressure they ended the first half with as there was a feeling a goal was coming.
However, the worst possible start to the second half as Jayden Nielsen’s effort took a deflection off Aaron Parsons and into the back of the net just 4 minutes into the second half. Against a good side, Town now had a mountain to climb – but not one they haven’t managed before this season.
After conceding the second Fey’s men continued to press and attack despite risking the possibility of conceding more. Town continued to create chances doing this and weren’t without their opportunities to get back into the game with Covil firing over from close range, then having a header saved short after. The introduction of Albie Hopkins and Luke Ballinger also spurred on more chances, but the ball still wouldn’t find its way into the back of the net.
Eventually however, the visitors proved why they should be in contention for those play-off places, as a late brace from Dean Stamp earned his side a 4-0 win. A second league defeat in a row for Melksham, but attention can now turn to the Wilts Premier Shield, as a quarter final away at Salisbury awaits Town on Tuesday night.
By Lewie Simmons