AFTER lifting the EJ Shanley & Son-sponsored Spring Cup as captain of Trowbridge Town Reserves last season, Barry Holloway got his hands on the trophy for a second successive season.

Holloway, now manager of Melksham Town A, guided his team to a 3-0 over victory over Division Three stablemates FC Box Steam Brewery at the Conigre on Thursday night.

Melksham’s victory was inspired by a magical performance from player of the final Dave Macey, who along with Luke Turvey, were exceptional for Holloway’s men.

Following a cagey opening five minutes from both teams, it was Melksham who started to take control of things and they took a deserved lead on seven minutes when Macey scored direct from a corner.

A few minutes later, it should have been 2-0, Dan Moore was just inches away from proding the ball home. Moore then had a fine shot on the turn find the grateful hands of keeper Steve Sims.

It didn’t take long for Melksham to double their advantage - Jordan Kirk was upended on the edge of the area and a quickly taken free-kick saw Macey deliver an inch-perfect cross for Dan Moore to head home on 20 minutes.

The Brewery Boys had their first sight of goal on 28 minutes as Jason Povey broke into the area before wasting what was a good chance.

Play switched to the other end and another glorious pass from Macey picked out Moore, who flicked the ball to James Dark, and with the goal at his mercy, he hit the post from close range when it looked easier to score.

Shortly afterwards, Callum Demkiv had a shot brilliantly saved by keeper Sims.

With Melksham well on top, they had a lucky escape in the 38th minute -  what looked to be a stone wall penalty after a foul on Gavin Francis went unpunished, much to the annoyance of the Brewery Boys.

Having had a let off, Melksham, and Moore in particular, wasted two great chances to extend their lead. First, he blasted over and then he headed over from six yards when he really should have tested keeper Sims.

Just like the first period had ended, the second began with Melksham going close to adding a third, Kirk hitting the post with an effort on 52 minutes and the ball fell kindly to Moore who was denied a second by a sublime point-black save from the Box Steam goalie.

Melksham did eventually make it 3-0. The magical Macey picked the ball up 30 yards from goal, skipped past one player, and took a couple of strides forward before powering home an awesome strike from 20 yards out to kill off any fight Box may have had left in them.

Macey was orchestrating everything that was good about Melksham and his cross-field ball found Turvey, who crossed for Demkiv but the Melksham man blazed over when he should really have made it 4-0.

On 70 minutes, Gavin Francis tested Melksham keeper Nick Evans from 20 yards - Evans was at full stretch as he brilliantly tipped Francis shot out for a corner.

With 10 minutes to go, Melksham thought they had scored a fourth. Macey’s corner was headed in by Kirk but as his side started to celebrate, the goal was ruled out for a foul on keeper Sims.

Melksham kept plugging away as they looked to add further goals, but again Moore and Turvey were unable to find the target and with time almost up, the Brewery Boys had their best spell of the game with Danny Harrison and Stephen Lewin almost giving them a late consolation.

Trowbridge & District League vice-president and Melksham Town stalwart Mike Perrin presented the match mementoes to the match officials and both sets of players, with Melksham's Kirk lifting the Spring Cup.

The player of the final award went to the impressive Macey.

Prior to the match, Box Steam were presented with their mementoes for finishing as Division Three runners-up.