Donovan Wilson free-kick ensures Melksham Town pre-season draw

City continued their build-up to the 2026/27 season with a 1-1 draw against Melksham Town this evening at the Meads of Melksham Community Stadium.

City struggled to impose themselves on the game during a disjointed opening 45 minutes. The hosts went in front in the 17th minute thanks to Cooper’s close range finish. It took two excellent stops from Harvey Wiles-Richards to prevent City falling further behind after this. Only in the closing stages of the half did City begin to pose an attacking threat. Scott Wilson saw a 38th minute shot blocked then a minute later they had the ball in the net only for the effort to be ruled out due to a foul on the keeper by Donovan Wilson.

However, within two minutes of the restart City levelled. Donovan Wilson was tripped right on the edge of the box and he drilled the resultant free-kick low into the bottom corner of the net. City were now moving the ball quicker and enjoying the majority of possession but Melksham defended strongly to deny them any clear goalscoring openings. City almost grabbed the win in stoppage time when Joe Raynes’ shot struck the crossbar but in the end a draw was the fair result.