MATCH REPORT: Melksham Town 0-0 Chippenham Town – Sat 30th July 2022

(Ian Monnery Trophy) (After 90 minutes 0-0, Chippenham won 5-4 on penalties)

The inaugural Ian Monnery Trophy saw the game fittingly finish as a goalless draw, but Chippenham ran out victors 5-4 on penalties.

On nine minutes Will Henry did well to stop Sam Hendy’s effort although the Melksham player was ruled offside.

A minute later Ed Jones found Joe Parker who in turn found Joe Hanks who fired over.

From a Melksham corner Ed Jones stopped Ollie Webb’s effort on the line whilst Camm’s shot went straight to Henry.

On twenty minutes Hanks found Parker who shot over.

Seven minutes later Melksham’s Jay Malshansky failed with an effort.

Just after the half hour a long ball into the Chippenham box saw Henry fail to gather and Ralph Graham looked certain to score until Will Richards made a superb block.

Just before the hour mark Matt Jones’s throw found Alfie Santos whose curling shot went just wide.

Hopkins then drew a smart save from Henry at the expense of a corner.

Substitute Luke Ballinger then shot over following a corner.

Hanks then played in Eddie Jones but his cross cum shot deflected straight to Conor Tompson.

On seventy minutes Hanks found Luke Russe whose first time shot went wide.

A minute later Santos was again off target.

On seventy eight minutes Jordan Pearce’s header was superbly cleared off the line by Russe.

Russe then found Parker who lifted the ball over Tompson but also over the bar.

Four minutes from time substitute Jordan Young was just off target.

Two minutes later Ballinger’s shot was deflected just wide. In the final minute Hopkins had a chance to win the game for the hosts but he hit a post.

The game went straight to penalties with Young, Trialist, Bradbury, King and Santos all being successful for the Bluebirds. Hopkins, Hendy, Evans and Ballinger were all successful for Melksham but their final penalty from Ed Ibrahim was saved by Henry.

Chippenham: Will Henry, Ed Jones, Matt Jones, Pablo Martinez, Will Richards, Luke Russe (Callum Gunner 86), Joe Hanks (Caine Bradbury 75), Alfie Santos, Noah Coppin (Trialist 86), Tom Mehew (Will King 75), Joe Parker (Jordan Young 81)

Match Report by Wil Hulbert