FC Box beat Melksham in Cup thriller
In front of a bumper crowd at Chippenham Town’s, Hardenhuish Park and on a sun drenched Sunday afternoon, Second division, FC Box withstood a late fightback from Premier division champions and cup holders AFC Melksham to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory in what was one of the best A M Print & Copy sponsored Knockout Cup Finals for many years.
FC Box complete League and Cup double
FC Box 3 AFC Melksham 2
Second division, FC Box had already lifted the Division Two title ahead of their A M Print & Copy sponsored Knockout Cup Final showdown with holders AFC Melksham who themselves were bidding for a League and Cup double having been crowned top flight champions just last weekend.
In a match that will live in the memory of those involved for many years to come, it was James Whitehead’s FC Box who having already claimed the scalps of Wiltshire Sunday Cup winners FC Lacock, top flight runners-up FC Devizes United on the way to the final who made it a hat trick of shocks by defeating Mike Rogers men in what was a classic cup final, that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The 54th final of the competition which was first won by Bulwark United had everything and for once it lived up to the pre-match hype and expectations to make it one of the best and keenly fought affairs for many years. A full bloodied affair, where bodies were put on the line as Box defended bravely to kept out a rampant Melksham attack that were to pay for not taking their early chances, but who after falling 3-0 down almost turned things around at the death with two late goals, with only a brilliant save from Box keeper Liam Harris denying the crowd of over 200 an extra 30 minutes of entertainment.
Melksham were quickest out the blocks and in the opening minute they had created an opening that saw Jordan Kirk lash a great chance over the bar. Moments later Jordan Croad crossed for Seth Wain and his goal bound header was brilliantly kept out by keeper Harris. With Melksham well on top, both Wain and Paul Gittins wasted good chances to give Melksham the lead their early dominance deserved.
On 11 minutes Melksham’s top score Rhys Talmash who had also seen a few wayward efforts fly over the bar, saw his 32 yard free kick deflected out for a corner, which was swung into the area by Joran Croad and was somehow scrambled away by Andy Wilkins with Gittins ready to pounce on the loose ball.
Having bossed the opening exchanges, Melksham found themselves 1-0 down on 13 minutes, when against the run of play they failed to clear their lines and Spencer Dymond-Hall was on hand to tap home when left unmarked at the far post from a Ben Wickens cross.
From the restart, Melksham had the chance to level, the usually reliable Talmash was unable to work his magic and another shot sailed over the bar. At the other end only a smart save from Melksham keeper Adam Dhinsa thwarted Dymond-Hall, but shortly after Dhinsa almost gifted Box a second when spilled a Ben Wickens free kick, but his quick reaction denied James Lye from turning the rebound home.
On the half hour mark FC Box were indebted to keeper Liam Harris who was at full stretch to superbly turn a Talmash thunderbolt on to the post and to safety.
Three minutes later Box had doubled their advantage, another break up field saw Liam Ralph deliver the perfect cross to Wickens who slid in at the far post to make it 2-0.
With the game being played at a frantic pace and although 2-0 down, Melksham had chances to get back in the game prior to half time, but again Talmash so often the Melksham hero this season had lost his eye for goal, with chances flying over the bar, Jack Baker and Paul Gittins were also denied by some last gasp heroic defending by Ollie Curtis, Andy Wilkins and Tom Tanner.
The final action of the half saw Box earn a free kick, 20 yards from goal and although Toby Gingell managed to get the ball up and over the Melksham wall it sailed into the hands of keeper Dhinsa.
Unlike the opening minutes of the first half when Melksham had a chance to take the lead, it was Box who had the chance to make it 3-0, but Wickens could only direct a header from 8 yards straight at keeper Dhinsa. On 52 minutes James Lye found the head of Adam Mitchell but another chance for a third Box goal went begging.
2-0 down, Melksham were dealt a further blow in the 58th minute when Jack Baker was dismissed for a reckless and needless challenge on Liam Ralph, and from the resulting free kick, keeper Dhinsa had to be alert to deny Mitchell who on 65 minutes saw another good chance deflected off Sam Tallis for a corner, which came to nothing.
On 69 minutes, Box were able to make their numerical advantage count, a moment of magic from Ben Wickens saw him find Dymond-Hall with an inch perfect ball, the youngster then kept his nerve with a fantastic finish across keeper Dhinsa into the bottom corner to make it 3-0 to the cup final underdogs, but at this point the game was anything but over.
From that moment on Melksham raised their game and despite Box having the extra man advantage they were now finding Melksham hard to break down, and with tired legs they were running on empty so when Seth Wain drilled home a 30 yard screamer on 81 minutes they were thankful for their 2 goal cushion.
With 3 minutes remaining, Melksham threw themselves a lifeline when keeper Harris made a hash of a Sam Tallis thunderbolt, unfortunately for Harris he failed to hold onto the shot with the ball sticking the post and ending up in the net to narrow the deficit to the odd goal.
With Box running out of steam, Melksham had one final chance to take the game to extra time, substitute Kieran Mills found himself unmarked in the area and his fine strike from 12 yards was superbly keep out by keeper Harris who took the acclaim of his team mates, but had the ball found the net, unknown to Harris at the time the Assistant Referee had already raised his flag for offside.
Shortly after referee Sam Gooding blew his whistle for the final time, bringing to an end, one of the best cup finals in recent memory and to scenes of jubilation from Box and heartache for Melksham. On the day football was the winner as both teams, supporters, match officials, Mark Sammut (4th Official), James Newbon (Assistant Referee), Sam Gooding (Referee), and Kevin Hopkins (Assistant Referee) had all played their part in making it a final to remember.
Both teams received their mementoes from League President, Andy Hillier on behalf of sponsors A M Print & Copy, League Referee’s appointment Secretary Gary Stonham presented the officials with their mementoes. FC Box’s captain Liam Ralph collected the Cup and team mate Ben Wickens won the Player of the Match award.
After the game both teams received special praise from Chippenham Town FC for the condition in which the left the changing rooms, again a credit to both clubs and the League.
FC Box: Harris, Curtis, Wilkins, Tanner, Gingell, Webb, Lye, Ralph (C), Wilkens, Mitchell Dymond-Hall, Subs, Hall, Gray
AFC Melksham: Dinsah, Clark, Tallis, Townsend, De Silva, Hillier, Wain, Croad, Gittins, Talmash, Kirk (C), Subs, Baker, Woolsgrove, Mills
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