Melksham Town 3, Willand Rovers 1 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Melksham Town 3, Willand Rovers 1

MICK Perrin has fallen back in love with the game of football after watching his Melksham Town side defy the critics to leapfrog Willand into third place in the Toolstation League Premier Division.

The Melksham chairman has too often seen his side fighting against relegation in the last few seasons and admits new boss Kelvin Highmore has "breathed fresh air into the club."

Goals from Jamie Cheeseman, Dave Macey and Simon Price inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Willand on Saturday and left Perrin rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

He said: "That was the best performance from a Melksham side for over three years. We have struggled in recent years and it has been hard but now I am actually looking forward to Saturday afternoons again, rather than my usual dread.

"I am a frustrated ex-player when I watch games but a good result and I am in a good mood for the rest of the week

"At the start of the season I said I was optimistic, but I meant in avoiding relegation. To have started so well is beyond my expectations.

"I know it is still early days, but the great thing is we have points on the board. If you look at teams like Devizes they already have some games that are becoming must win."

HIghmore's switch from Calne Town to the Conigre in the summer ended a managerial merry-go-round which saw the club lurch from manager to manager without success.

Perrin said: "Kelvin has been a blinding appointment. What I like about him is that he is an honest bloke who is prepared to listen. If there is something I don't like he listens and takes it on board.

"On Saturday I saw a few faces that I have not seen for a long time at the game. The football we are playing seems to be brining the crowds back which is what we need.

"We are playing some exceptional stuff and the spirit among the players is fantastic. No-one is about to get carried away but we will enjoy it."