Melksham Town 1, Barnsstaple Town 0

From the archive, first published Thursday 10th Nov 2005.

MELKSHAM Town kept their first clean sheet in seven games as they beat Barnstaple Town at The Conigre on Saturday.

Manager Kelvin Highmore admitted he was "delighted with a 1-0 win" after seeing his side see off the challenge of their Toolstation rivals, leapfrogging them into 13th in the process.

The winning goal came on the hour mark courtesy of a well-worked move, finished off by Jamie Harrison.

After four players had knocked the ball around Simon Price picked up the ball on the edge of the box before laying a reverse pass into the path of Harrison, taking out two defenders.

Harrison nipped in from midfield and touched the ball around the goalkeeper before laying the ball into the empty net.

Highmore's side then had to defend strongly against some relentless pressure with goalkeeper Gareth Evans also making some useful saves.

Debutant Nick Mooney, signed from Devizes Town 25 minutes before this weekend's deadline, flashed a shot across the goal for Melksham as did Mike Perrott, although the latter should have scored with both the defenders and the goalkeeper beaten.

Highmore said he was pleased with the victory.

"It's our first clean sheet for a while so this 1-0 win is very pleasing," he said.

"We had started 3-5-2 and I was looking to change. Matt Messenger got injured so Nick Mooney came on earlier and for the first 20 minutes of the second half they could not cope as we went 4-4-2.

"He gives us more balance and I must say I am delighted to sign him.

"He started on the bench as a precaution after picking up an injury for Devizes on Wednesday and played well.

"As soon as he's played a few games and has trained with the lads he will be a good player for us.

"It's just annoying he is cup-tied this weekend."

Highmore added he has just put in a seven-day approach for former Bath City youngster Matt Minnus, currently banging goals in at Trowbridge after a loan spell at Calne Town earlier in the season.

Highmore said: "He's a lively striker with some pace and is different to what we already have.

"He has a knack of scoring goals and I have spoken to someone who has played with him who says he is a good player."

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