PREMIER DIVISION: AFC Melksham stunned by Jager comeback (From Wiltshire Times)

PREMIER DIVISION: AFC Melksham stunned by Jager comeback

1:30pm Monday 24th September 2012 in Sport

THE LONG-AWAITED showdown at The Conigre, Melksham, between fierce rivals AFC Melksham and FC Jager didn’t fail to disappoint as the only game in S.K. Fruits Limited, Chippenham Sunday League Premier Division produced a nine-goal thriller that saw Jager claw their way from 4-0 down to clinch an amazing 5-4 win.

AFC Melksham raced to a deserved 4-0 lead with Luke Ballinger scoring a brace and Tom Robinson also scoring twice, although his second went in off the unfortunate Joe Flower.

Melksham dominated the first half and could have quite easily scored more than the four they did and missed chances were too prove costly.

Jager looked out of sorts and looked like they were heading for a brutal hammering from their fierce rivals.

Against the run of play, Jager scored from a corner with Nick Ridout powering a header home from six yards and just before half time they were given a further lifeline when they were awarded a penalty after Melksham’s keeper Nick Dibden fouled Mike Perrott, Ridout dispatched the spot kick to leave Jager trailing by two goals at the break.

The second half saw a completely different Jager side who seemed hungry to complete a seemingly impossible comeback.

The fightback started 10 minutes into the second half, Barry Holloway withdrew Ridout for Emilio Menghini and Menghini made an immediate impact, following up a speculative effort from Kai Miller which the keeper tipped onto the crossbar and Menghini headed the rebound home for 4-3.

Jager sensed blood and piled bodies forward and within minutes they were level.

Captain Mike Hopkins headed home from close range to get Jager back on level terms but their was still work to do if they wanted the win.

With 20 minutes remaining, another substitute Danny Griffiths headed home almost a carbon copy of Hopkins goal to complete the incredible turnaround.

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