Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League
Pewsey Vale lose for the first time this season
away at Cricklade Town
A combination of the awful weather caused by Storm Alex, a lack of match officials and precautions regarding Covid-19 meant just two games went ahead in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. The two games that survived both involved sides at the top end of the table.

Cricklade Town were playing their first home game of the season at the Leisure Centre with league leaders Pewsey Vale the visitors. In previous seasons it is very doubtful that the game would have gone ahead but Cricklade were rewarded for all the investment, both in terms of time and money, that has gone into the pitch over the summer months. Work on the pitch included raising areas of the pitch that previously suffered badly in the wet weather and the pitch has been regularly verti-drained to avoid some of the problems that have plagued the club in recent times. In terms of the action on the pitch it was leaders Pewsey Vale who went in front, James Guthrie scoring his fifth of the season to put Pewsey a goal to the good. That was to be the only goal of the first half as Pewsey led at the break. Cricklade got back on level terms on the hour mark after Jason Tatum was tripped in the box and a penalty given. Alex Baker made no mistake from the penalty spot to make it one apiece. The game really opened up, with both sides creating decent chances and both having sustained periods of pressure in their opponent’s half. The game was ultimately decided in favour of the home side five minutes from time when a free kick from Joe Dorey was headed in at the far post by Bradley Farrell to make it 2-1 to Cricklade. Speaking after the game manager Craig Kent was delighted with his side’s performance:

 “I am very happy with that; we are really clicking now.”
“It was a superb performance in what was as a seriously good game of football”.

The win saw Cricklade climb three places in the table to fourth place and that is now four wins in their opening five games, the only blemish coming in the defeat to Marlborough Town in their second game of the season. Despite the defeat Pewsey Vale remain top of the table.

The only other game to get the go ahead was at the Old Showfield, Frome where Purton were Frome Collegians' visitors. On a heavy wet pitch it was Purton who were on top in the early stages and they went ahead on 15 minutes when Danny Hale scored his third of the season. Despite creating a number of chances Purton were unable to extend their lead ahead of the break. Five minutes after the restart they were made to pay for those missed chances when the home side were awarded a penalty which was put away by James Hounsell to make it 1-1. However, it did not take long for Purton to restore their lead as Lewis Petrie scored for the first time in the league this season on 55 minutes. Whilst Purton remained on top they had to play the final ten minutes of the match with just ten men after having a player sin-binned. Despite the numerical disadvantage they saw out the game to take three important points to remain in touch with the others at the top of the table. Joint-manager Wayne Petrie was pleased with his side’s efforts in the difficult conditions, commenting after the game he said:

“The game was played in heavy conditions, with surface water in places, but it was a good performance. We have been suffering with injuries of late and I had three on the bench who were carrying injuries, so I am pleased to come away with the points".

"We probably should have won by more, but it was good sporting game despite the difficult conditions.”

The win for Purton saw them remain in fifth spot, two points behind Cricklade, whilst Frome Collegians dropped from fifth spot down to eighth as a result of the defeat and the result at Cricklade.

Lewis Petrie and Danny Hale who were on target in Purton's 2-1 win at Frome Collegians

Premier Division Results

Saturday 3 October

Corsham T Res v RWB Town Dev - Postponed

Cricklade Town 2 Pewsey Vale 1

Frome Collegians 1 Purton 2

Ludgershall Spts v Trowbridge Town - Postponed

Melksham T Res v Marlborough Town - Postponed

Odd Down Res v Devizes Town Res - Postponed

Shrewton Utd v Malmesbury Vics D - Postponed

Stratton Juniors v Wroughton - Postponed

3 October 2020
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