FC North Wiltshire 5 - 3 Melksham Cosmos
11 November 2012. Kicked off at 10:45 AM.

Home league match played on 11 November 2012.
Kicked off at 10:45 AM

THE OFFICIAL VIEW

After an impeccably observed two minute silence at Leafy Lane, FC North Wilts were wanting to be quick out of the blocks after their recent disappointment at Trowbridge Town Supporters Club. And it did not take long for debutant Jason Brooks-Stevens to slot into the North Wilts engine room, and start dominating a game which he would go on to get man of the match for.

Brooks-Stevens used all his experience to consistently win headers, tackles and spray delightful balls for Simon Gray to get opportunities in front of the Cosmos Goal. North Wilts created numerous chances, and wasted several before Gray eventually gave North Wilts a deserved lead after 20 minutes.

Cosmos were barely in the game, but, with North Wilts growing in confidence and also frustration, it lead to too many players being camped in the Cosmo half. This allowed Cosmo on more than one occasion to get through to the North Wilts back line, and only brave tackling and desperate clearing kept keeper Mark Salen out of the game. But eventually, after another break, Cosmos were awarded a free-kick, which was struck at Salen, and fell at the feet of two Cosmos players, and ended up in the back of the net after 30 minutes.

After half time, Salen had to be substituted, so young-gun Sam Deane stood up to the mark and put on the gloves. Knowing they were weakened at the back, the North Wilts fans grow increasingly frustrated at the missed opportunities from Gray, Deacon and Colegate. The next goal would be pivotal, and after another great ball from Brooks-Stevens, Simon Gray proved his worth to give North Wilts a deserved lead after 55 minutes. As Cosmos tired at the back, the game opened up even further, and Dan Dring extended the lead with a well hit left foot rocket from outside the area finding the bottom corner.

But Cosmos came back, scoring from a corner which Deane had no chance with. With the fans from both teams filling the pitch with tension, North Wilts continued to attack ,and eventually Dan Deacon scored following excellent work from Gray to cross the ball into his strike partners path.

With 5 minutes to go, and the score at 4-2, there was still time for some late drama. After a mix up between two North Wilts defenders, Cosmos broke down the left, and pulled it back to just one goal after a cross from the left was tucked into the empty net by the Cosmos player. But North Wilts managed to hang on, and scored with the last kick of the game, with an own goal from Cosmos.

North Wilts in reality dominated the game, hitting the bar three times, the post once, and the Cosmos keeper having an absolute blinder, saving his team time and time again. But Cosmos never gave up, and the game was thrilling for the fans.

Following his unexpected appearance in goal, Sam Deane said afterwards “I’m glad to have got 90 minutes, and I just wanted to help my team mates out and show them I’m willing to do anything for them. It was a great win, and now we can start to look forward to the next game”.

THE UNOFFICIAL VIEW

We moan more than our WAGS, and not in a good way. We looked good in green, which is nice!