Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League
Shrewton Just Edge It
as Chasing Pack All Win
Shrewton manager Joe Sheldrake who had to play in goal today (picture courtesy of John Cuthbertson)
With league leaders Wroughton without a game this weekend the chasing pack all had the opportunity to make up ground on the leaders. The four sides who saw their games survive the weather all took full advantage of that opportunity. In the top game of the afternoon, second in the table Shrewton United were looking to go back level on points with the leaders having had three points removed from their total following the withdrawal of Holt FC. They had a tough looking fixture though with Cricklade Town, a side who had won five of the last seven meetings, the visitors to the Recreation Ground. Shrewton manager Joe Sheldrake’s plans ahead of the game were also hit when his goalkeeper became unavailable at short notice and he was forced to put on the gloves for only his third appearance of the season. It had been a tight affair when the two sides had met on the opening day of the season and so it proved again,  but in contrast to that first game when the sides had shared nine goals, it remained 0-0 at the break in the return game.  Visitors Cricklade had much the better of things in that opening forty-five and should have been ahead but they were unable to find a way past the Shrewton manager in goal. However, it did look ominous for the home side that their poor record against Cricklade would continue when the visitors eventually took the lead after the restart, Alex Baker scoring from a free kick to make it 1-0 to Cricklade. The Shrewton side, who had not been at their best up to that point, responded well to this set back and began to finally create some chances of their own. They got themselves back on level terms when Craig Lewis fired in with a shot across the goal which found its way into the Cricklade net to give him his third goal of the season since he re-joined Shrewton from Pewsey Vale.  Shrewton tails were now up and, shortly after coming on as substitute, Tyren Harrington set up Lee Weeks who chipped the Cricklade keeper from the edge of the box to put the home side ahead for the first time in the game. Both sides continued to create chances in the closing stages with Cricklade pushing hard for the equaliser but Shrewton held out to ensure they moved level on points with Wroughton, but having played four more games. Cricklade Town remain in eighth spot in the table.
Lee Weeks who scored the winner for Shrewton in their 2-1 win over Cricklade Town this afternoon (picture courtesy of John Cuthbertson)
Kintbury Rangers moved to within a point of third placed Corsham Town Reserves who saw their own game at Pewsey postponed. Kintbury did so thanks to a narrow win over visitors Frome Collegians courtesy of a late penalty at the Recreation Ground. Veteran Danny Lachacz had put Kintbury in front but Ross Knapton equalised for Frome just before the break as the teams turned round with the score at 1-1. It then remained that way until close to the final whistle when Kintbury were awarded a spot kick which Robbie Sadler duly put away to ensure promotion seeking Kintbury kept their challenge for a top five finish and possibly the title on track.

Trowbridge Town had not played a league game since the 23rd of November ahead of their trip to the Red House to take on fifth placed Purton, never an easy place to go and even tougher when you have had limited playing time in recent weeks. On a heavy pitch, both teams played some good football, but goals from Chris Avery and Sam English ensured that it was Purton who took all three points, as they ran out 2-0 winners to remain in fifth spot, a point behind Kintbury having played one game more.
Chris Avery and Sam English who scored in Purton's 2-0 win over Trowbridge.
The other side who have applied for promotion, Melksham Town Reserves, ensured they also stayed in touch with the top five with a comfortable home win over Marlborough Town at the InfiLED Stadium. Star of the show for Melksham was Harvey Flippance who fired in a hat-trick to move onto fifteen for the season for his side. Seth Wain, Kieran Pearce and Dan Sibley were also amongst the goals for Melksham in their 6-1 win. Marlborough’s consolation goal was scored by Jake Farrell with his eighth of the season. That is now just one defeat in the last nine games for David Macey’s in-form Melksham Town side ahead of next week’s tough looking trip to the Red House to take on Purton.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development became the seventh side to make it through to the quarter finals of the Fountain Trophies Cup with a comfortable 5-0 win over visitors Ludgershall Sports on a game played on the 3G pitch at the Gerard Buxton Ground. First half goals from Dale Richards and Kabin Rai put the home side 2-0 up at the break and further goals in the second half from Manuel Mesas, Lewis Tidy and an excellent solo goal from Ben Paul completed the scoring. Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development now meet last season’s winners Kintbury Rangers in the next round.

Despite efforts by the league to see if Holt FC could continue it was confirmed at the recent Management Committee that they had withdrawn from the league. With Holt having played only ten league fixtures, lower than the 75% threshold, their record has been expunged from the league table in accordance with FA rules. Three sides at the top end of the table, Shrewton United, Kintbury Rangers and Purton all lost three points as a result of the Holt withdrawal, with Trowbridge Town also having thee points removed from their total. Although they also lost a point from their total, promotion seeking Melksham Town were probably the biggest gainers having dropped two points when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Holt.  Malmesbury and Ludgershall also both had a point removed from their total as a result of the games against Holt being declared void. As well as the league table the leading goal scorers’ chart below has also been adjusted for the Holt withdrawal.
Results, Saturday 18th January 2020
Premier Division
Kintbury Rangers 2 Frome Collegians 1
Melksham Town Res 6 Marlborough Town 1
Pewsey Vale v Corsham Town Res - Postponed
Purton 2 Trowbridge Town 0
Shrewton United 2 Cricklade Town 1
Stratton Juniors v Malmesbury Vics Dev - Postponed

Fountain Trophies Cup First Round
Royal Wootton Bassett Town 5 Ludgershall Sports 0
Saturday 18  January 2020
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