Falmouth Town suffer defeat to Melksham Town in final game

Elliott Haffenden 68’

Ralph Graham 89’

Att: 466.

Falmouth Town bid farewell to their highly successful manager of the last 11 seasons, Andy Westgarth, with what in the end was a disappointing performance against relegation-threatened Melksham Town.

Westgarth had announced on the Wednesday night that he would be standing down at the end of the season, and it was an emotional prelude to his last game that followed, with both sets of players and officials forming a guard of honour on the pitch as he walked down the famous steps in the stand for the last time in his role as manager, as the F-Troop sang his name from the Packet End.

It was a day of farewells, with long-serving Chairman Graham Medlyn also announcing that he would be stepping down, once he had overseen the installation of the new floodlights, having also overseen a massive turnaround in the fortunes of his beloved Falmouth Town, prompted by his astute decision to give Westgarth his chance as player-manager at the zenith of the club’s recent history 11 years ago.

Goalkeeping coach Wayne Roberts and physio Hayden Jose have also decided to move on, so only assistant manager Jon Fabby now remains from the first team coaching staff going into the close season.

Ollie Walker was unable to start for Falmouth, but Luke Barner returned in the only change from Tuesday night’s win against SC Inkberrow.

Falmouth started with purpose as they looked to give Westgarth a good send-off, and after having a Brabyn cross cleared from under the crossbar from a Melksham defender, they missed a gilt-edged chance 5 minutes in, when Ollie Evans headed wide at the far post from a cross by Brabyn.

Unfortunately, for the rest of the game, they created little else.

Their fortunes weren’t helped when the influential Barner had to retire from the game injured, with only 13 minutes having been played, being replaced by Cam Hutchison, who had been performing well of late.

Brabyn was getting some joy attacking the by-line down the left side, but his crosses were being dealt with by a determined Melksham defence, who knew that only a win would make them safe.

Rivals Willand were playing Tavistock, who had really struggled this season, and a win looked a formality for the Devon side.

With the high stakes on the game for Melksham, they adopted a niggly approach, and Falmouth were given little protection from referee Luke Macfarlane throughout the game, with some late challenges and cleverly orchestrated pushing and shoving not being enough to draw his attention.

The first half ended 0-0, and Willand were 2 -0 up against Tavistock, which confirmed that Melksham needed the win to secure their safety.

This ultimately proved the difference between the two sides in the second half.

Falmouth, having secured another season at this level last week, had less on the game, other than giving Westgarth a final win in front of a large crowd of 466.

Falmouth again were on top in the early exchanges without creating anything of note, and Westgarth rolled the dice once more after a further 20 minutes, replacing Ollie Evans with Kian Thomas, who had changed the game in similar circumstances against SC Inkberrow a few days before.

However, within 3 minutes of the change, Melksham had struck.

Substitute Elliott Haffenden ran on to a parry from Falmouth goalkeeper Morgan Jones, after a quick Melksham break had forced a save, which Jones could only direct to the onrushing Haffenden.

Melksham’s tails were up, and Falmouth could not get a foothold in the game.

With one minute of normal time remaining, they forced a corner, and they committed large numbers into the box as they tried to salvage the game for their departing manager.

However, the corner was cleared to substitute Ralph Graham, with Kian Thomas the only Falmouth player near him.

It became a foot race between the two, which Graham just about won, and he directed his shot past Morgan Jones, who himself had taken a position on the halfway line for the corner.

It just wasn't to be for Falmouth or Westgarth, but the departing manager was given a standing ovation at the end, in front of his beloved Packet End, having steered the club to the highest levels of the football pyramid in its history during his tenure.

He can now look back on so many highlights, Senior Cup trophies won, FA Vase runs (including a history-making flight to Jersey), a South West Peninsula league win and a Western League play-off win against Clevedon, which propelled the club to these new heights.

In addition, a reserves team playing at the highest level in their own history and much-improved links with the local youth football teams, who will surely safeguard the club’s future with a now-established pathway through the reserves and into the first team reckoning.

A new challenge now awaits Falmouth Town as they strive to further consolidate their presence in the league and then start looking to the next level.

With its large fan base, the enthusiasm of its supporters and hopefully the commercial opportunities that the club’s high local profile may bring, another step up the leagues could be entirely within their power, if the right decisions are made from now.

Falmouth Town: Morgan Jones, Bradley Leivers, Tom Annear©, Harrison Jewell, Fred Start-Walter, Jared Sims, Jack Webber, Luke Brabyn, Luke Barner, Ollie Evans, Oscar Massey.

Subs: Ned Symons, Martyn Duff, Aaron Ibbottson, Cam Hutchison, Kian Thomas.

Melksham Town: Adam Forster, Will Christopher, Jordan Williams, David Thompson, Alex Hallett, Archie Milne, Jamal Lawrence, Levi Irving, Kyle Witt.

Subs: Owen Howe, Elliott Haffenden, Jack Carter, Leon Greenland, Ralph Graham.

Ref: Luke McFarlane.