Tyger Hall who scored twice in Shrivenham's 3-2 win over Royal Wootton Bassett Town (picture courtesy of Mike Wray)
The Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League returned this week with all last season’s top four sides involved in the two games that went ahead. On Monday night the division kicked off with the Chippenham derby between Chippenham Town
and FC Chippenham
in a game played behind closed doors given the National League status of Chippenham Town first team. When last season was brought to a premature end FC Chippenham had looked favourites to go on and lift the title having led the table with just one defeat in their opening ten fixtures. The nine wins they had racked up included a 3-1 win over their near neighbours and both teams are expected to again be involved in this season’s title race. As anticipated it was a close game on Monday night with both sides creating numerous chances with the two goalkeepers kept busy. However, both sides were to find the net just once, Ollie Crosby-Clarke put FC Chippenham ahead in the first half but a second half equaliser for Chippenham Town from Dylan Jones ensured the points were shared. The one blemish on the night was Chippenham Town Academy player Sam McFarlane sustaining a double fracture of his ankle and all from the Wiltshire Senior League wish Sam a speedy recovery from his injury.
On Thursday night the two sides who were sat in second and third place when last season was brought to an early end, Shrivenham
and Royal Wootton Bassett Town, met in their opening fixture at Barrington Park. On the one occasion the sides met last season Shrivenham had won 4-2 at the Gerard Buxton Ground and it looked like they would be heading for another comfortable win when two goals from Tyger Hall and a third from Kai Richardson put Shrivenham 3-0 up. However, in what turned out to be great contest between two good sides, goals from Adam Jones and Tom Warren got Royal Wootton Bassett Town back into the match but there was insufficient time left to find the equaliser and fell to a 3-2 defeat. For Shrivenham a winning start and leadership of the table at the end of Week 1 but with the two Chippenham sides looking to be strong once again, with Radstock Town and Melksham Town also expected to be challenging for honours this season and Pewsey having some exciting youngsters, it already looks like the Under 18 Division could, like last season, be very competitive.