Melksham Town 2. Falmouth Town 1.
Thomas Dowell 73’ Oscar Massey 69’
Alex Hallett 80’

Att: 469

In a free-flowing and open match that would have ranked high for entertainment for the neutral, but painful in equal measures for the supporters of both sides, hosts Melksham emerged victorious thanks to a goal 10 minutes from time by Alex Hallett. However, the signature of the match was the number of chances created and missed by both parties, particularly in a frenetic and end-to-end 2nd half.

Falmouth Town were without Ollie Evans, Paolo Sousa and Ollie Walker, as well as Luke Brabyn, who instead supported the Peninsula League side for their game against Dobwalls. Still they named a strong starting line-up and they dominated the first 10 minutes with their now trademark high-tempo passing game, not allowing Melksham a foothold in the game. The first chance of note came in the 6th minute from a free-kick about 40 yards from the Melksham goal. In what looked like a training ground move, Luke Barner, who had been standing over the ball, ran towards the right flank and Tom Annear played a simple pass into his path. His cross from the bye-line found Oscar Massey, but some good defending from the Melksham rear-guard meant Massey could not get his shot away.

Although Falmouth were on top, Melksham were carrying a threat on the break with Kitan Jaiyeoba and Thomas Dowell looking particularly dangerous early on. On the half-hour mark, Melksham forced a series of corners, looking strong in the air, and it was from one of these where a header was won at the far post, only for it to be cleared from under the crossbar by a Falmouth defender.

Two minutes later and it was Falmouth threatening to score. After a good move down the right, the ball was pulled back to Luke Barner who hit a powerful shot goal-bound, only to see Melksham keeper Samuel Jepson get to the ball and tip it on to the bar and to safety in what was to be the first save of a match-winning performance that saw him deservedly awarded the man of the match after the game.

Falmouth were looking to feed their danger-men Barner and Massey at every opportunity, but particularly Melksham captain Mark Cooper was having an accomplished game snuffing out the threat of Massey with some timely tackles, well backed up by Dylan Lewis who tracked back consistently to help him throughout the game.

It was to be Falmouth who had the last chance of the half when Liam Prynn latched on to a wayward back pass with two minutes to go, but Prynn was forced wide and Jepson got down well at his near post to foil Prynns effort.

The second half started with Melksham looking more likely to break the deadlock, and Morgan Jones in the Falmouth goal was called upon 9 minutes in making a save from a snapshot from inside of his area.

The half developed into an exciting, yet nerve wracking feast of end to end football, at times looking more like a basketball match than a football match. It was clear why Melksham were languishing at the wrong end of the table as they spurned a series of excellent chances as they bombarded the Falmouth defence.

Falmouth were forced to play on the break and they themselves could not convert some admittedly tougher chances, mainly being created by Barner who consistently ran at the Melksham defence and cut in to get his shot away but either saw his efforts well-saved by Jepson or agonisingly clear the bar. When not shooting himself he played a number of intelligent cut-backs to the on-rushing Falmouth attack and midfield but each effort was either wayward or snuffed out by the home defence.

On 16 minutes, Melksham looked like they surely must score when they missed an easy chance at the far post from 6 yards out. Eight minutes later and Jaiyeoba dragged his shot wide after being played through as opportunities at both ends continued to be wasted.

Somewhat against the run of play it was Falmouth that eventually made the breakthrough 27 minutes into the half. A misplaced back pass let in Oscar Massey who carried the ball into the area and unleashed a powerful shot which even Jepson could not save, and Falmouth were one up.
Two minutes later and another cut back from Barner gave Massey the chance to add to his tally, but more good defending foiled him again.
The Falmouth goal only seemed to galvanise the home side and in the 73rd minute they were finally able to make that dominance pay with a well-deserved equaliser. A ball was played into the heart of the midfield from a Falmouth restart, but was intercepted by a Melksham player. He quickly played in Thomas Dowell who carried the ball into the area before this time making no mistake and steering the ball inside of Jones’ far post.
There only looked like one winner from this point on and in the 8th minute, Melksham took the lead. A cross from the left picking out Alex Hallett who headed it into the far corner making it 2-1 to the home side. However, the drama was not over yet. As Falmouth pushed for the equaliser, they won a free kick from about 35 yards out. Barner hit a dipping shot which slammed against the crossbar after a touch from Jepson. From the resulting corner, Jack Symons pounced on a loose ball and drew the best save of the match from Jepson as he tipped a powerful shot over the bar.
Falmouth were not finished yet and in the 90th minute they won a penalty when Barner was brought down. This was Falmouth’s chance to get something out of the game. The prolific Massey came forward but saw his shot beaten away by the excellent Jepson low to his left to cap a virtuoso goal-keeping performance.
Melksham saw the game out well to claim an important three points in their quest to pull themselves clear of the relegation places, and Falmouth were left to lick their wounds and contemplate what might have been. They face the long trip to Hartpury next Saturday to play a team also looking to compete in the play-offs this season and Falmouth will need to be at their very best to make that trip home a happy experience for the players and supporters.
Manager John Fabby said after the game “The team created enough chances to win the game in the first half. When you have those opportunities but don’t take them you let the other team back in. That is exactly what happened. Then the game became a back and forth mess. As a team we are all incredibly disappointed with the result but will work hard midweek to put it right on Saturday.”

Melksham Town: Samuel Jepson, Leon Greenland, Jake Hicks, Alex Hallett, Mark Cooper©, Dylan Lewis, Daniel Mcbeam, Kitan Jaiyeoba, Khari Allen, Thomas Dowell, Samuel Francis. Subs: LJ Bexon-Shaw, Dean Griffiths, Callum Kirkman, Joshua Terry.

Falmouth Town: Morgan Jones, Max Cook, Malachy Davy, Tom Annear, Harrison Jewell, Jack Symons, Luke Barner, Jack Webber, Jared Sims©, Liam Prynn, Oscar Massey. Subs: Aaron Ibbotson, Bradley Leivers, Andy Elcock.

Referee: Neal Templey.