Kieran Baggs says that some of his Melksham Town fringe players have given him food for thought following their Wiltshire Senior Cup first round success over Mere Town.

The Oakfields chief used Monday night’s clash with the Dorset Premier League outfit to blood some of the club’s younger players as well as getting vital minutes into squad members returning from injury.

And having made a number of number of changes to face the Salisbury-based side, Melksham got off to a flying start before sealing a 5-0 win.

Joe Stradling gave Melksham the lead with only three minutes on the clock before Ollie Webb doubled the advantage three minutes later.

Gary Higdon ensured that Bagg’s side went into the break with a 3-0 lead as he drilled home a 22nd minute penalty.

After the break, Stradling bagged his second of the match on 55 minutes before Tyler Sibbeck completed the scoring three minutes later.

“I think sometimes when you make a number of changes the team you put out really want to impress and you get off to a good start,” Baggs said. “We had a number of players who haven’t been playing as much as maybe they would have liked, while there were also a couple of our U18s in the team too.

“Joe Stradling and Jake Brown came in and were superb and when you go 3-0 up at half time it does make your life a lot easier.

“Melksham Town have a good record in the county cup and that is something that I’m keen to keep going.”

Having had a Saturday off last weekend, Melksham welcome Bridport to Oakfields tomorrow in the Toolstation League Premier Division with Baggs expecting a much tougher test than Monday night.

“You can only beat what is put in front of you,” the Melksham manager said. “We did what we had to do on Monday and the players that played have given me a bit of a headache.”

Elsewhere in the cup, Corsham Town suffered a 5-0 defeat at Pewsey Vale, while Westbury United ran out 4-0 victors over Marlborough Town and Warminster Town slumped to an 8-2 loss at Bemerton Heath Harlequins.