MELKSHAM TOWN | SPRING IN THEIR STEP

New manager brings much-needed win

The new manager ‘bounce’ found its way to Melksham Town at the weekend where Stuart Fleetwood marked his first game at the helm of the Pitching In Southern League Division One South club with a welcome 2-0 victory over Bideford AFC.

In tough conditions, Feetwood’s new charges had to battle hard for the points as they tasted victory for the first time since the end of September.

“It’s always nice to get a win on the board in the first game,” Fleetwood told us. “We need to get some bodies through the door and the style will take a few weeks to nail down, but the players have responded well in these initial days, so that’s a good start.

“It’s quite a challenge that we face here. That said, Melksham Town is a sleeping giant; I haven’t seen facilities like this at Step3, let alone Step 4, and we have the core of a strong side, it just needs tweaking and some guidance, which hopefully we can bring.

“We’re under no illusions that it’s going to be hard work, but it’s fresh, it’s new and, as I say, the players have responded well so far and are buying in to what we want to do here.

“I want the players to enjoy the environment, that’s the plan. I’m aware of the players and clubs at this level, but we have to focus on ourselves and what we do rather than put all of our time and energy into the opposition.

“This is a strong League and we will respect everyone we come up against.”

So, what are the short and long-term aims?

“Short term, it’s to stay in the division,” he responded without hesitation. “It’s very clear we don’t get ahead of ourselves.

“Long term, it’s a rebuild and with what the club has to offer, the sky really is the limit. We aren’t putting limitations on ourselves after safety is secured.”

Pictured we see Stuart Fleetwood presenting Saturday's Man of the Match, Leon Hardman, with his prize.

A trip to Bashley lies in what for Fleetwood and his team at the weekend.

IMAGE: Melksham Town FC

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