Bishop Sutton 0 Melksham Town 5 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bishop Sutton 0 Melksham Town 5

12:10pm Wednesday 19th September 2007 in Football By Gordon Simpson

Toolstation Premier Division

Melksham Town boss Kelvin Highmore has praised his young guns for stepping up in Tuesday's 5-0 drubbing of Bishop Sutton.

With six first-team players out, Highmore was forced to draft in a crop of youngsters from the reserves to fill the gaps.

Helped by a Steve Tweddle hat-trick, the team gave a confidence-boosting performance ahead of Saturday's FA Vase game at home to Thame United.

"We went into the game with six missing, due to injuries, suspensions and work, so we drafted a team together and pulled the youngsters in from the reserves," said Highmore.

"We just told them to go out and enjoy themselves.

"Bishop Sutton have not got off to a great start, so it was an ideal opportunity to give some of them a go.

"I was pleased with the application and attitude of the players and the way they conducted themselves.

"It can be difficult when you haven't got a lot of your first-team players, but I couldn't fault anyone - it was a great performance.

"We've got Thame on Saturday and we have just got to try and get our own game right, because we are a bit hot and cold at the moment."

Melksham took the lead after six minutes, through Tweddle, before Wayne Thorne doubled the lead from the penalty spot.

Tweddle added another, but Thorne blazed a second penalty over the bar.

Tweddle completed his hat-trick with a fine solo goal after the interval, before 16-year-old Amelio Mangini crossed for Nathan Flower to complete the rout.

Melksham could be without Simon Farrell, who has a pulled hamstring, while Jonny Devoile has a swollen ankle.

However, they will welcome new signing Nick Bunyard into the squad.

The former Chippenham Town defender has joined from Mangotsfield United.