Bristol Manor Farm had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Melksham Town on the opening day of the season at the sun-drenched NL Services Stadium, writes William Ledbury.
Despite a bright start, the Farmers were unable to capitalise on their early momentum, and as the game wore on, Melksham grew into the contest, leaving both sides to share the spoils.
The game’s best chance came after just three minutes, a moment that nearly had the Farmy Army supporters on their feet. Louis Britton, leading the line for Bristol Manor Farm on his league debut, found himself with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. With some sharp movement inside the box, Britton got the better of Melksham’s Alfie Kelsey with a downward header at the back post. As the everyone inside the ground held their breath, the header drifted agonisingly wide of the post by just a few inches, a matter of mere centimetres denying the home side the perfect start.
Lee Lashenko’s men looked sharp in the early exchanges, pressing high and creating several half-chances as they sought to assert their dominance. Britton continued to be a handful for the Melksham defence, while George Dowling, Dan Dodimead and Jayden Nielsen worked extremely at the top of the diamond to maintain that early pressure.
It was Dodimead on 15 minutes who thought he was the man to break the deadlock when he curled a powerful strike over Kelsey’s far upright.
As the first half wore on, Melksham began to find their rhythm, gradually working their way back into the game. It was evident that Mark Collier’s side came into the match with a game plan, and were on course to executing that on the opening day. The second half saw the visitors grow in confidence, and by the final quarter, they were the team asking the questions.
The Farm found themselves on the back foot late on as Melksham came close twice to snatching all three points. Both times, the crossbar came to the rescue for the home side, denying Melksham what would have been a decisive late goal.
Referee Craig Scriven would eventually draw the match to a close and The Farm quickly turn their attention to a midweek trip to Evesham United on Tuesday night.
Attendance: 256
Star Man: Jamie Adams