For our second pre-season outing, Rovers take a trip to the Oakfield Stadium to face Melksham Town on Saturday, July 13.

Hannah Dingley oversaw a 1-1 draw in her first game as interim head coach when we met Melksham last summer in the build-up to our 2023-24 League Two campaign.

Looking towards our trip to Wiltshire, here is a look at our opposition from what went on last season to players to watch out for.

TOWN LAST SEASON

It was a season of struggles for Melksham who finished 16th in the Southern League Division One South with just 10 wins last season but ended the season strong with three wins in their final five games.

Melksham did enjoy some memorable moments such as scoring twice in stoppage time, on a 458-mile round Tuesday night trip, to come from behind and beat Mousehole AFC 4-3.

IN THE DUGOUT - MARK COLLIER

Collier enjoyed his first full season as Melksham manager after taking the helm in November 2022 following his departure from Chippenham Town.

With the remainder of that 2022-23 season Collier guided Melksham to a 12th place finish, the club’s highest Southern League Div One South finish since the 2019-20 season.

But last season Collier fell short of his previous success only leading his side to a 16th place with three wins less than his record the season before.

PLAYER TO WATCH - BEN BROOKS

No Melksham player broke double figures last season but someone who came closest was striker Ben Brooks who found the net nine times in 31 appearances.

The 27-year-old ended the season scoring three in his last five matches including a 95th minute winner to in his sides 4-3 win over Mousehole in April.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

05.07.2023- Melksham Town 1-1 Forest Green Rovers

28.06.2022- Melksham Town 0-3 Forest Green Rovers

13.07.2021- Melksham Town 0-6 Forest Green Rovers