Melksham Town 1, Bristol Manor Farm 0 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Melksham Town 1, Bristol Manor Farm 0

GAVIN Eyre proved he is no soft touch as he helped Melksham get their Premier Division campaign off to a flying start on Saturday.

The skilful winger scored the only goal of the game minutes before half-time on his league debut to make Manor Farm pay for their bully-boy tactics.

When Eyre made the summer switch from Hellenic League Trowbridge Town some questioned whether he would be able to stand up to the more physical nature of the Toolstation League.

He could not have asked for a tougher opening test, with their Bristol visitors intent on intimidating Melksham's youngsters, but came up with the perfect reply, slotting home the winner after beating two defenders.

He said: "That was a typical Bristol side but I think we did well against it and probably deserved the win.

"It was a hard decision for me to leave Trowbridge but after three years I felt it was time for a change and wanted to play in a higher league."

An early reckless challenge on goalkeeper Gareth Evans by Ashley Bennett was just a taste of things to come as Manor Farm gave Melksham's youngsters a harsh introduction to senior football.

Evans was left limping for the rest of the game while Bennett was the first of four visiting players to be booked.

It should have been more and Adam Cornwall was lucky to get away with just a caution after punching Simon Price.

Melksham kept their heads, and Adam Gingell and Jamie Harrison went close to extending the lead.

At the other end, Manor Farm rarely troubled the struggling Evans as they failed to convert possession into chances.

It was a nervy last quarter of an hour for Melksham but marshalled by the excellent Ryan Trowbridge they kept the visitors out to start the season with three points.