DARREN Perrin saluted what he considered to be a huge shot in the arm for Melksham Town’s chances of county cup glory following their victory over local rivals Bradford Town last weekend.

Melksham progressed to the quarter-finals of the Wiltshire Senior Cup with a 3-1 triumph over their Toolstation League Premier Division counterparts on Saturday and in besting Bradford – finalists in the last two successive seasons – Perrin reckons his team have overcome one of the favourites for the county crown.

Mark Robinson fired Bradford into an early lead but Will Stead’s volley restored parity before Shaun Benison popped up with two goals in the second period to seal Melksham’s progress at the Conigre.

“It’s very pleasing because you have to say that we’ve knocked out one of the favourites for the competition in Bradford,” said manager Perrin.

“There are still some very good teams left in the competition. There’s Highworth, Salisbury and one of the dark horses, in my opinion, are Trowbridge too.

“But Bradford are definitely one of the teams that could have won it and to beat them in front of a huge crowd was really pleasing for us. Everyone at the club, from the chairman down to the players, has the utmost respect for Bradford but there is a rivalry there.

“They started the game a lot better than us in the first 15 or 20 minutes but once we scored a very good goal out of nothing from Will Stead, we dominated the game.

“If I’m being picky, we probably could have scored four or five but it was still a very good performance and the players deserve all the credit for the resilience they showed to come back from a disappointing draw against Bitton last week.

“We’re now unbeaten in 11 matches. Eight of those have been wins and three have been draws. The players have been fantastic.”

Meanwhile, Bradford boss Paul Shanley branded his side’s display unacceptable.

“Local derbies are fierce and from 15 minutes in, we were outfought by Melksham in every department,” he said.

“You can tell the players what to do in the dressing room before three o’clock but after that, there’s little you can do.

“It’s very disappointing and we’re lucky we only conceded three goals. It wasn't acceptable and a lot of players can have little argument if they’re dropped next weekend.”

Promotion-chasing Melksham return to league action on Saturday, hosting Longwell Green Sports, who are 16th in the table.

Winger Ben Thomson and midfielder Stead both miss out through one-match suspensions.

Meanwhile, Mike Rimmer, Mark Wall and Jack Hopper are set to return for Bradford, who host Devizes Town in the second round of the Les Phillips Cup.

  • CORSHAM Town’s second round trip to Pewsey Vale has been rearranged for Saturday after being curtailed by a waterlogged pitch last weekend.