MANAGER Richard Fey insists Melksham Town are moving in the right direction despite falling to a 1-0 defeat at home to Evesham United last weekend.

Evesham scored in the opening five minutes as Matt Dodd’s dashing run down the right resulted in him picking out Jordon Sangha on the edge of the box.

Sangha required no second invitation to net the game’s decisive goal as Melksham slipped to their fourth Southern League Division One South defeat of the season from seven games.

It must be noted, though, that Town’s opening seven fixtures have all been against teams currently placed in the table’s top 12.

That trend will continue this weekend when Fey’s squad travel to fifth-placed Cinderford Town.

With an unfavourable block of fixtures almost behind them, Fey now wants his side to prove their Southern League worth and build a steady run of form in the lead up to Christmas.

“The fixture list hasn’t been kind. We’ve had one of the hardest runs of all teams in the division,” said Fey.

“Even in the FA Cup, we faced Shepton Mallet, who remain unbeaten. Every game we’ve played has been a fight.

“The pleasing thing for me is that we only have to play these top teams once more. Let’s be realistic, this is Melksham’s second year at Southern League level.

“It was always going to be tough with a new team, but I am confident we can do well this season. Positive signs are there – and the supporters have been brilliant.”

Fey certainly expects another stiff challenge this weekend when crossing the River Severn to face Gloucestershire rivals Cinderford.

Paul Michael’s side are unbeaten in their last five league games.

Fey said: “Every game is getting tougher with each week.

“Evesham expressed how much they want to win the league last week, and now we face Cinderford, who are fifth.

“It will be tough, Cinderford is a hard place to go. They are unbeaten in their last five league games and we’ll have to be at our best to get something from the game.

“But we have a run of games against teams in mid-table or below us coming up.

“They will be games where we need to pick up points.

“I’m trying to establish stability on and off the field. We have a young average age in the side.

“Some players are only just finishing their ‘pre-season’ because of injury. Come Christmas, we will be in a much better place.”