GARY Higdon hopes he can maintain his prolific goal-scoring record and keep Melksham Town fighting on three fronts this season.

The striker bagged his 150th Melksham goal in Tuesday night’s 4-1 FA Vase replay win at Slimbridge – reaching the landmark on just his 189th appearance for the club.

That saw Town qualify for the third round of the competition and continues their remarkable start to the campaign.

Darren Perrin’s side are also top of the Toolstation Premier Division and have a place in the quarter-finals of the Wiltshire Senior Cup.

“It probably wasn’t the best goal I’ve ever scored,” joked Higdon.

“We were already 3-1 up and it was just a header at the back post to kill off the game at the end. Of all the goals I’ve scored I probably wouldn’t have picked that one to celebrate it, but I’ll take it.

“I’m pleased with my form. I think I got about 35 goals last season and I’ve already scored 19 this year, so I’ve gone from 100 to 150 quite quickly.

“I might get the goals, but I have to give a big hand to the people who set me up – I think someone like Ben Thomson has got as many assists as I have goals this season.

“At the start of the season we targeted top six but I think we are capable of finishing in the top three. It’s just about whether we can maintain our form.

“I know the club want to try to get promotion but whether we can push for that this season, we’ll just have to see.”

Perrin said: “To do something like that, Gary deserves all the plaudits he has got and will get.

“Gary is a Melksham lad and a huge asset for us. He’s turned down the opportunity go to other clubs in the past and we’re delighted to have him as part of our squad.

Melksham return to league action for the first time in a month on Saturday when they entertain struggling Hallen. Town then travel to Street on Tuesday.

Boss Perrin admitted this season’s extraordinary success has made the Conigre a special place to be, but added that everyone was keeping their feet on the ground.

“We’re in the third round of the FA Vase and whatever happens now we have probably got further than anyone thought we would have done. Anything now is a bonus,’’ he added.

“But we have got a home tie (against Shepton Mallet) next so it is a chance to make the last 32 and reach national level, which would be unbelievable.”

“We’re top of the league, still in the FA Vase and Wiltshire Cup, the reserves are top of the Wiltshire League and the A team are going really well as well. Everyone at the club is buzzing at the moment.

“The fact we are still top of the league without playing recently is what’s most pleasing, but no one is getting carried away. I have been in the game long enough to know what can happen.

“We will get caught out. When that happens to other teams they go and bring other people in but we can’t do that and we won’t change what we’re about. We play players based around Melksham and we’ll continue to do that.

“I know it’s a cliche and boring, but we will only focus on the next game and that’s Hallen on Saturday.”

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