A young Mangotsfield side, showing several changes, with Harrison Lea making his debut, were brushed aside by Melksham who completed a league double over their hosts. The visitors set the tone in the opening spell with several attacks, and in the fourth minute almost took the lead when keeper Joe Perry saved with his legs from Matt Smith.

Neikell Plummer then tested Perry with a looping header, before Smith again had a shot on target, and Jon Davies saw his free-kick from distance well held by Perry. Mangotsfield’s Harry Rutty was involved at both ends when he first sent a goalbound header, just over the top, and moments later was on hand to make an important stop as Melksham looked like scoring.

James Ollis then provided a decent opportunity for Louis Britton, whose header was tipped over by Melksham’s Alex Shaftoe.
‘The Field’ defence had a lucky escape when a clearance by Perry struck Plummer and rebounded towards goal but just edged past the post.

The goal that looked likely came after 16 minutes. Neikell Plummer cut in from the left and brushing aside two weak attempts to stop him, fired home a low drive from the edge of the area.0-1.

Melksham’s Alex Shaftoe slipped whilst making a clearance and the ball found Dan Demkiv, and whilst the striker tried a snap shot at goal, his effort was well wide.

Jon Davies then saw his crisp low shot come back off the base of the post, but moments later he made up for this when he put the Wiltshire side further ahead. Following the breakdown of a Mangotsfield attack, after 34 minutes, the ball was pumped upfield for Jon Davies to use his pace to outstrip the ailing home defence, and he finished strongly, giving Perry no chance.
0-2.

Just before the half-time whistle, Dan Demkiv was given a great chance to pull a goal back but his angled drive from 6 yards was superbly blocked by Alex Shaftoe.

HT: 0-2

Mangotsfield had a great start to the second half and a way back into the game. Three minutes after the re-start, Luke Spokes took aim from 25 yards and the ball fizzed past Alex Shaftoe, with him seemingly rooted to the spot. The goal certainly gave the hosts a lift and both Louis Britton & Dan Demkiv had shots on target, but were blocked.

Melksham continued to look threatening though and Joe Perry had to be at his best to deny Jon Davies, with a superb save at his right-hand post. Jon Davies then saw his goalbound drive cleared off the line, and once again, Joe Perry came to the rescue as Matt Smith seemed likely to score, from close range.

In the final ten minutes, despite the hosts searching for that elusive equaliser, Melksham’s defence grew stronger as they held on to the points.

FT: Mangotsfield United… 1 Melksham Town…2

MANGOTSFIELD UNITED: (Maroon & Sky) (Manager: Ollie Price )
G/K. Joe Perry, 2. Harrison Lea, 3. Isaac Kelly, 4. Chris Peck, 5. Harry Rutty, 6. Lee Hartshorn, 7. Luke Spokes, 8. Calum Ferguson (Tom Hillman 83), 9. Dan Demkiv(Tyrone Tucker-Dixon 69), 10. Louis Britton, 11. James Ollis(Lewis Ellington 76).
Unused Subs: Colin Mugoya-Tabingwa, Ollie Price
Bookings: James Ollis (42), Lee Hartshorn (83)
Red Cards: none
Goals: Luke Spokes (48)

MELKSHAM TOWN ( Yellow & Black) (Manager: Kieran Baggs )
G/K: Alex Shaftoe, 2. Olly Webb, 3. Nuno Felix, 4. Dave Thompson, 5. Warren Maidment, 6. Tom Warren, 7. Sayeed Ibrahim (Mark Cooper 54), 8. Michael Perrot, 9. Neikell Plummer (Dan King 81), 10. Jon Davies, 11. Matt Smith
Unused Subs: Luke Ballinger, Rob Hobbs, Kieran Baggs
Bookings: Nuno Felix (75), Matt Smith (90)
Red Cards: none
Goals: Neikell Plummer (16), Jon Davies (34)

Referee: Matthew Perry (Cheltenham, Glos)
Assistants: Joshua Brookland (Ledbury Herefordshire), Ian Butler (Tewkesbury, Glos)

The next scheduled game at the GJC Commercials Ltd Stadium, will be on Saturday 9th March 2019, when ‘The Farm’ of BRISTOL MANOR FARM will be the visitors. 3.00pm