Hartpury FC suffered a third consecutive defeat in the Southern League Div One South, narrowly losing 1-0 to Melksham Town at the 4ED Hartpury Stadium on Saturday.
Melksham started the game on the front foot, with Will Christopher slicing a volleyed effort wide inside the opening minute.
Riley McGregor just couldn’t turn home a low Noah Coates cross on three minutes, as the rain started to pelt down at the 4ED.
Jamal Lawrence got through for Melksham on five minutes, but his low effort was straight at Seth Locke, in the Acorns goal.
But, as conditions improved, Melksham took the lead when Kyle Witt poked home at the near post on 18 minutes.
Locke was called upon to make a strong save on 35 minutes, denying Mark Cooper from close range.
Straight down the other end, Vanylson Silva flashes an effort at goal, but it was well held by Adam Forster in the Melksham goal.
The Acorns went close again, on 39 minutes, when Nathan Jenkins attempted a flicked, volleyed effort which flew just wide seeing the Acorns head into the break behind.
HALF TIME – HARTPURY FC 0-1 MELKSHAM TOWN
Melksham should’ve doubled their lead on 50 minutes, when Witts miskicked a low Lawrence cross wide, from six-yards.
The Acorns started to grow into the second half and saw a half chance on 63 minutes, when Jesse Aldridge had a volleyed effort blocked behind.
Jenkins had a go from 18-yards on 66 minutes, but it flew straight at Forster, before Locke was forced into action two minutes later, turning over a driven Jordan Williams effort.
Owen Howe almost sealed the game for Melksham on 79 minutes but flashed an effort right across the face of goal.
And that was the last of the action as the Acorns were handed their third straight defeat in the league and at home.
The Acorns will be in search of a quick response when we welcome Mousehole AFC to the 4ED Hartpury Stadium on Tuesday night.
FULL TIME – HARTPURY FC 0-1 MELKSHAM TOWN
STARTING XI: Locke (GK), Kent ©, Sanniola (Symons 81’), Roney, Sims (Kelly 65’), McGregor, Jenkins, Aldridge (Shyamapant 65’), Coates, Silva, Manning
UNUSED SUBS: Robinson
