Town up and running on FA Cup trail

Published 17 Aug 2009 09:00 0 Comments

READING Town got their FA Cup run off to an ideal start with a comfortable 2-0 win over Melksham Town at Scours Lane.

Town went into the extra preliminary round clash with the Toolstation Western Premier League side full of confidence after a thumping 6-0 win over Hook Norton in their opening Hellenic League game.

However, Melksham had also enjoyed a good start to their season after winning their opening two league games and they ensured an evenly-contested first half.

Graham Lewis wasted the best chance to put Town ahead after firing wide when sent through one-on-one against the keeper, while the hosts also had another effort hacked off the line.

But Melksham kept Chris Grace in the Reading goal busy, while two long range efforts also narrowly missed the target.

The second half saw an all action start when Lewis had his shot from a tight angle well saved before Melksham were reduced to 10 men on 48 minutes after the Town front man was hauled down by a defender as he attempted to race clear.

And the opener eventually arrived just before the hour mark when Gordon Ritchie connected with a flying header from a free-kick to leave keeper Luke McFarlane with no chance.

And six minutes later Town had the chance to secure their passage into the preliminary round when they were awarded a spot kick.

James Clark linked up well with Aaron Parfitt down the left, only to see his shot well blocked by McFarlane.

However, as Clark closed in to convert the rebound, he was dragged back, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot.

Clark, himself, duly stepped up to send McFarlane the wrong way to seal a trip to Southern League outfit Bishops Cleeve in the next round.

The only downside for Colin Millard's men was a late red card shown to Scott Rees for clashing with a visiting player after a header.

Town were unable to make it a hat-trick of wins on Tuesday night as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Fairford Town in the Hellenic Premier Division.

Gordon Ritchie's fourth goal in three games gave Town a 28th minute lead. But Fairford levelled just four minutes later, and were denied the chance of a win when Chris Grace made a brilliant save from a second half penalty.

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