Match Report: Sholing FC vs Melksham Town
Following the postponement of the reverse fixture earlier in the season, it was finally time for the two sides to meet this term; with Sholing having the play-off spots in their sights and Town stuttering around the mid-table mark. However, despite facing their high-flying opponents, Melksham were unbeaten in their last 5 – so getting a result away from home definitely wasn’t out of the question for Fey’s side.
Town started the game on the front foot; just 2 minutes into the fixture Ralph Graham found himself with a free effort at goal when Covil picked him out at the back post, but he couldn’t only hit his effort straight at the ‘keeper. Matt Hall was also required for Town early on – a short backpass meant that the Melksham ‘keeper had to be quick off his line and make himself big to deny the hosts’ an opener.
After both sides had good chances early on, Town continued to create: Albie Hopkins and Jay Malshanskyj both had openings, with Hopkins forcing the ‘keeper into a decent save and Malshanksyj firing just wide of the post.
Despite Town arguably deserving the lead going into the break, they were punished for not taking their chances when Sholing grabbed an opener just before the end of the half. Ryan Cluett’s freekick went through everybody and found its way into the back of the net – a soft goal for Town to concede after battling hard throughout the first half.
After conceding at the worst possible time just before the half-time break, Town were slow to come back out and suddenly faced a mountain to climb. Sholing doubled their lead almost instantly after half-time through Daniel Mason.
The game was now in danger of completely running away from Town as a very good Sholing were starting to pick apart what was a sturdy defence in the first half, and the hosts adding 2 more goals by the 65th minute confirmed why they are a top side in the league. Stuart Green and Bry Mason added the third and fourth – 4 goals in 20 minutes to take a once tightly contested affair too far away from Town to mount a comeback.
Despite the setbacks, Town continued to push for a goal as they always do, but the game was never there to be rescued. Sholing eventually added a fifth in the closing minutes of the game through a deflected effort by Conor Whiteley, making the full time result a convincing 5-0 to the home side. Up next for Town is a return to Oakfield’s and a chance to record a league double over Bideford.
By Lewie Simmons.