A COMFORTABLE FA Cup triumph, solid performance and Gary Higdon goal on his 350th club appearance added up to a very satisfying Saturday for Melksham Town boss Kieran Baggs as Badshot Lea were dispatched 4-0 at the inFiled Arena.

Goals from summer signing Neikell Plummer, Luke Ballinger, Jon Davies and Higdon in his landmark match sent Town through their extra preliminary round tie with ease and proved a welcome warm-up to the start of their Southern League Division One South campaign this coming weekend.

The Combined Counties Premier Division found it tough going as the home side hit their scoring stride ahead of the league opener against Evesham United on Saturday, club stalwart Higdon registering after stepping off the bench in the second half.

"I couldn't have asked for a better start,'' admitted Baggs.

"All pre-season preparations have built up for the FA Cup game. I know how important it is for the club to stay in the FA Cup as long as possible financially, so it was a game I was desperate to win.

"In the end it was a very comfortable result. It was the first time I think Melksham have progressed (in the FA Cup) in five years so I was happy to put that bad run to an end. It was a good day all round

"It probably gives us a competitive game before the season starts and I think it does help to take a bit of pressure off our Southern League debut and gets us one in the bank early. It was good to get that fixture in.''

Higdon proved a goal machine for Melksham during their Western League days and despite the influx of new signings to beef up the squad over the summer, Baggs was delighted to see his go-to man deliver again.

"To do 350 appearances for one football club at our level - amateur or semi-professional - is a credit to his loyalty and he's deserved all the accolades he gets,'' added the manager.

"On Saturday he came off the bench to score his goal on his 350th appearance so it was fitting that he would come on and get a goal.

"It was a good day for him but, more importantly, it was a great team performance with a lot of new signings.

"Badshot Lea put up a good fight but I think the football we played in the way we dispatched them was very professional and now we look forward to training on Thursday to prepare for Evesham.''

MORE ON MELKSHAM TOWN'S OPENING SOUTHERN LEAGUE FIXTURE AGAINST EVESHAM UNITED IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT