The Lambs travelled to Western Premier League Melksham last Saturday and lost by the odd goal in five. The home team opened the scoring in the 10th minute when the Lambs failed to clear a corner kick and Melksham’s centre half was on hand to slot home from close range. Just as the Lambs were getting their flowing football going they suffered a second set back when once again a corner kick was not cleared, the ball returned into the six yard box, where a home forward who was unmarked, was on hand to head home from six yards.
This really stirred the Lambs into action and they started to create some openings in the home defence. In the 28th minute the home keeper made a fine save from Steve Rogers. Two minutes later the same player scored a delightful goal when curled a perfect shot into the far corner of the net from 25 yards giving the home keeper no chance of saving. The Lambs were now having the lions share of possession, a Ricki Shepherd pass saw Glyn Hobbs flash his shot inches wide of the target. The Lambs continued to press forward but could not unlock a resilient home defence.
The Lambs started the second half at a tremendous pace and immediately put the home defence under pressure. The Lambs levelled the scores in the 51st minute when a flowing move saw Shepherd set up a thunderbolt which flashed into the home goal. The visitors continued to dominate the game for long periods with some delightful pass and move football. In the 65th minute a great move saw Hobbs denied when the home keeper made an outstanding save. Five minutes later Glyn Hobbs volley was brilliantly saved by the Melksham keeper. The home side were limited to counter attacks but the Lambs defence looked in control.
The home keeper came to rescue again in the 79th minute when he denied Hobbs with another great save, before denying Shane Krac with another fine save. The Lambs continued to dominate the remainder of the game but in time added on they were caught by the sucker when the home made a counter attack, and the Lambs committed a foul on the edge of the penalty area, and low and behold the free kick found the corner of the net to gain the team that had been outplayed for long periods, victory.
This was another good performance against a team playing at a higher level, there are many positives can be taken from the game. Had it not been for an outstanding performance from the home keeper, the Lambs would have come away with a comfortable victory. The pass and move football being played is fantastic to watch, and with an improvement in finishing the results will come. Defensively we need to be a little better on set pieces. The team are looking really fit and they will be ready to challenge for honours next season.