At the end of the previous season it was noted that Season 2019-20 became the first football season since 1939-40 to be stopped early and not completed and the first incomplete season in the 44-year history of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. Unfortunately, as far as the Premier Division is concerned, that is now two incomplete seasons. Once again it was Covid-19 that had resulted in this outcome, although at least as far as the U.18’s and Veterans’ Divisions, it was possible to complete those divisions. If anything, the 2020-21 season had been more difficult than the previous one for all involved in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with the delayed start due to the first lockdown before we then once again went into lockdown in the winter months.
At least this time round, learning some of the lessons from the previous season, both the Management Committee and the clubs were able to be involved in the decision making as to how to finish the season once football was allowed to resume in the Spring. As far as both the Veterans’ and U.18 competitions were concerned, the decision of the clubs was to continue the seasons to conclusion. An advantage with the Veterans’ Divisions was that the league was not constrained by the normal football season cycle hence, despite a lack of venues, particularly, in the North Division, it was possible to complete the Veterans’ Divisions. Whilst the FA granted to the end of June for completing the U.18 Division, a decision was made to try and complete this as close as possible to 31st May and this was achieved to within a couple of days thanks to the co-operation of all the clubs.
For the Premier Division, after a consultation exercise with the clubs there was limited appetite amongst our sides for completing the league season, with some clubs still having 22 league games to play. The challenges with cricket and other sports, pitch maintenance and holidays meant realistically the season could not go on beyond the end of May and this was too short a time period to complete the league campaign.
Premier Division/Fountain Trophies Senior Cup
At the time the season was curtailed the title race was developing into a four-team contest. Pewsey Vale led the way having won 12 of their 14 games, losing just once. Melksham Town had started badly losing four of their first five games but had picked up and gone on a tremendous ten game unbeaten run, nine of which had been won to sit in second place, six points behind Pewsey having played one game more. Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development were three points behind Melksham but had three games in hand on Melksham and two on Pewsey Vale. Wroughton, champions in the last completed season in the Premier Division, sat fourth having won eight of their opening ten games. Whilst Pewsey led the way they had not played either Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development or Wroughton and still had another game against Melksham to come and so the title race was still very much all to play for.
At the other end of the table Ludgershall Sports, Devizes Town Res and Marlborough Town were all struggling with just one win each to show for their efforts at the time lockdown was imposed, although Devizes Town under their new manager were showing positive signs of improvement. The 12 games that Devizes Town Res had played meant they became the first side to play 1,000 games in the top division of the league since its formation in 1976, the landmark being achieved in their final game before lockdown.
Whilst there was no real desire to carry on the league season, there was appetite amongst most of the clubs for a cup competition of some sort to finish the season. In response to this the league proposed that the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup be competed for but with a changed format starting with a group stage where teams played each other once, allowing games to be completed utilising the available Saturdays. Entrance was optional given the challenges of recommencing football at such a late stage and both Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev and Wroughton opted not to take part leaving two groups of seven, split based on geography. In a desire to ensure the competition ran for players who were involved in our league prior to lockdown, and not players from Step 6 or higher, rules were introduced around player eligibility. The initial rule around eligibility being based on appearances in our league games but at the request of the clubs this was changed to being based on appearances at Step 6 or higher during Season 2020-21. Unfortunately, some clubs were either not paying attention, thought the rule did not apply to them or did not realise how readily available the appearance information is in the public domain (the data was also effectively static apart from in the Hellenic League who were also running a cup competition).
The competition did not get off to the best of starts with all the winning sides in the opening week of fixtures in the North Division fielding an ineligible player. With limited time available to replay the games all three fixtures were awarded to their opponents. Seeing that clubs were struggling to raise sides the league sought to assist by extending the league transfer deadline by a month but in the end both Marlborough Town and Purton pulled out. Marlborough’s challenges were partly caused by rules in other competitions which resulted in reserve team players not being willing to play for their first team, whilst Purton had struggled with injuries in the curtailed league season were still struggling to raise a side but did disappointingly continue in an outside competition whilst Marlborough Town first team simply played friendlies. In the end just ten of the scheduled twenty-one games were played with only seven of the results standing due to that ineligibility issue in the first week. Pewsey Vale won all the three games they actually played to make it to the final finishing six points clear at the top.
In the South Group it was a much happier story with all but two of the fixtures being played, the two games not completed being at the end when the qualification for the final had already been decided. In an exciting group it came down to the final game between Corsham Town Res and Odd Down Res as to which side would make the final. Corsham went into that final game unbeaten and knowing that they needed to avoid a defeat by five or more clear goals to progress to the final. Odd Down went ahead early in the second half but were unable to add to the tally to get to the necessary five goals and a last-minute equaliser ensured that Corsham retained their unbeaten record and progressed to the final which would be played on their own ground the following Saturday. Given at the time the league season in 2020-21 was brought to a premature end Pewsey Vale were league leaders and Corsham Town Reserves had been the league leaders in Season 2019-20 at the time that season was curtailed, it was perhaps fitting that it was those two sides who competed in the final for the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup.
In the final itself it was a very tight contest between two evenly matched sides. Whilst Pewsey created the better goal scoring chances in open play the game was ultimately to be decided by an incredibly special set piece. Awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area Pewsey’s Ryan Thomas fired the resulting free kick into the far top corner of the net for what would ultimately prove to be the winner for his side.
Under 18 Division

When the 2019-20 Season was curtailed, it was noted that the Under 18 competition was shaping up to be the most exciting yet since the competition transitioned to the league from the Wiltshire FA. Well, that was well and truly repeated this season with six sides still having title aspirations when the action re-started in April after lockdown. Melksham Town had started their season with three straight wins before having a bad patch either side of lockdown, suffering five straight defeats. They finally ended that run with a narrow 1-0 win at Pewsey and then never looked back after that, defeating Chippenham Town twice and winning five of their last six games. Their only dropped points came in a 3-3 draw at Royal Wootton Bassett Town. That bad run during mid-season meant they missed out on honours but a good season for Colby Cain’s side. Radstock Town remained in the mix until late on, but in the end too many drawn matches early in the season saw their chances disappear and Royal Wootton Bassett Town fell away when they were unable to win games at the back end of the season against the top sides.
This left Chippenham Town, FC Chippenham and Shrivenham to battle it right to the end for the league title. The teams entered May with Chippenham Town and Shrivenham level on 23 points at the top with three to play. FC Chippenham were some 13 points adrift but had four games in hand. That first week of the month saw Chippenham Town travel to Shrivenham for a game which was expected to have a big say in the destination of the title. A win for either side would put them in pole position for the title, but a draw had the potential to put FC Chippenham’s title aspirations back in their own hands. At the end of the ninety minutes the sides could still not be separated and more importantly this then put FC Chippenham’s destiny back in their own hands. Shrivenham won both their last two games to finish on 30 points, losing just two games all season, both by a single goal in the away games against the two Chippenham sides. Chippenham Town lost to Melksham Town in one of their remaining two games meaning the title would go to either Shrivenham or FC Chippenham. By the time both Shrivenham and Chippenham Town had finished, FC Chippenham still had two games to play and were on a winning run which stretched to five games with just Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Pewsey Vale to play. They needed to win both games to win the title. In the first game on the 3G at the Gerard Buxton they found themselves 3-1 down and, whilst they pulled one back, with five minutes to go they still trailed. However, the award of a penalty saw them get back on level terms and an excellent late free kick fired into the top corner saw them take all three points. The final game against Pewsey saw them go behind again but six unanswered goals later they were champions. Their run at the end of the season had seen them win seven straight games to pip Shrivenham by a single point. Well done to FC Chippenham on taking the title and to Shrivenham on achieving runners-up. In fact, well done to all the Under 18 sides who played their part in what was a fascinating, if difficult and disrupted, season, with all the fixtures being completed.
Veterans' Divisions
Despite an elongated season the Veteran’s divisions were a resounding success in Season 2020-21 with the influx of new sides, certainly stepping up the standard over the inaugural season. In addition, in the Mid Wiltshire Division, the fact that a number of clubs utilised their own pitches, initially at Melksham Town and Corsham Town, but later joined by Bradford Town, Chippenham Town Yard Dogs and Devizes Town, not only improved the experience for the players but also made it easier for the fixture secretary to ensure the games were played. Some of these clubs also allowed other teams to utilise their grass pitches which greatly assisted the job of scheduling the fixtures and meant the programme could be completed more quickly. In the North Division, Stratton Juniors also starting utilising their grass pitch at Meadowcroft towards the end of the season which again helped expediate matters in the North Division. A big thank you to all the clubs who made their pitches available in this way, it was very much appreciated. The Veterans’ sides must compete with other sides at clubs for the use of the facilities and will often be at the back of the queue behind reserve and U18 sides and the co-operation provided this season in staging games on pitches other than New College and Green Lane has been outstanding.
On the pitch both title races have been exciting affairs. In the North Division, right from the start it looked to be a two-team battle between KMLC and Redhouse for the title, although Stratton Juniors towards the end put some pressure on the top two. After just one win in their first four games, Stratton Juniors went the rest of the season unbeaten in the league, a run which included a win over Redhouse and a draw with KMLC. When the season had been brought to a premature halt in December KMLC headed the table on goal difference from Redhouse, who at that stage had won all three of their games.
When the season finally resumed at the very end of March, KMLC carried on where they had left off, smashing 11 unanswered goals against bottom side AFC Swindon. Redhouse also came back in style, defeating Swindon Rovers 7-2 and then also scoring 11 against AFC Swindon. KMLC then got behind with their league fixtures due to progress in the Veterans’ County Cup and by the beginning of June Redhouse, despite losing to Stratton Juniors, were six points clear of KMLC, who had played two games less, and who had also been overtaken by Stratton. However, the latter had just two games to play, and no doubt rued the poor start to the season as they ran out of games in their quest for honours. One of those two final games was against KMLC and when the two sides drew 2-2 on the opening day of June the title destiny for Redhouse was very much in their own hands. Avoid defeat against KMLC in their next game and then win their two final games against Swindon Rovers and AFC Swindon and they would be champions.
The big game between the two main title challengers took place on the second Tuesday in June was not the close affair that had been anticipated, as KMLC brushed aside their nearest rivals with a 4-0 victory. Two hard fought wins against Royal Wootton Bassett Town, both games being won with late goals, then put KMLC in pole position. Whilst expecting to have to win their final game against Swindon Rovers to lift the title, a surprise 4-1 defeat for Redhouse at the hands of Swindon Rovers saw KMLC crowned champions before their final game. As noted above they still went out and won that final game against Rovers in another close game that indicates that there should be a few more teams involved in the title race in the North Division in Season 2021-22. Well done to KMLC and Redhouse in taking the title and runners-up spot in the North Division this season. KMLC also made the semi-final of the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup, losing on penalties to eventual winners Melksham Town.
When Corsham Town lost their first game of the season in the Mid Wiltshire Division, 4-1 away at Melksham, few would have anticipated the season the side was to have. This was to be the one and only occasion they tasted defeat in the league and their only other defeat all season came in the final of the Veterans’ County Cup against Melksham Town, one of two sides, the other being VFC Devizes, who were to be their main rivals for the title. Melksham started the season on fire, winning all five of their opening games prior to lockdown, scoring 23 goals with the strike-force of Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle doing most of the damage. VFC Devizes also won their opening five fixtures and went into lockdown with the only points dropped being a 1-1 draw with Corsham Town, this game was also to be the last time Corsham dropped points, as they went on to win all their remaining 15 league fixtures.
The key game of the league season was at the beginning of May when Melksham Town visited the Southbank Ground. Melksham went into the game unbeaten having won all but one of their games to that point, the only dropped points having come in a 1-1 draw with Marlborough Town. On a wet and windy night, the game was played in atrocious conditions. A solitary goal from Simon Gray settled matters in Corsham’s favour thus ending Melksham’s unbeaten run. The win for Corsham meant that the top three sides in the division had all now dropped five points. Melksham remained six points clear at the top but both VFC Devizes and Corsham Town had two games in hand on the leaders and could draw level if they won those games in hand. Both Corsham and Melksham also still had to travel to Devizes in their remaining fixtures.
All three leading sides from the Mid Wiltshire Division had also progressed to the semi finals of the Wiltshire County Veterans’ Cup. Both semi-finals were to be tight affairs. As noted above Melksham needed penalties to see off KMLC in their semi-final and in the all Mid Wiltshire Division tie, a solitary goal from Simon Gray saw Corsham defeat VFC Devizes. The final at Green Lane was a physical affair of a high standard that Melksham dominated for much of the match and, despite going down to ten men, were comfortable 3-1 winners.
Melksham Town winners of the Wiltshire Veterans' County Cup
(picture courtesy of John Cuthbertson)
Having lifted the County Cup, four days later they were back at Green Lane for a vital league game against VFC Devizes and the cup final exertions had taken their toll as Devizes became only the second side to defeat Melksham all season, 2-0 the final score. This meant the meeting between VFC Devizes and Corsham Town at the beginning of July was as good as a title decider and a solitary goal from Stuart Skinner edged it for Corsham who were now firm favourites to lift the crown. The title was confirmed when VFC Devizes were held to a 2-2 draw by a much-improved St Andrews side which also meant Melksham Town were guaranteed runners-up spot. St Andrews then defeated VFC Devizes in that final game of the season noted above.
Well done to Corsham Town and Melksham Town on their league honours and also on their cup final appearance and to Melksham on lifting the cup. An excellent first season in the league for both clubs. The only blemish on the exciting season in the Mid Wiltshire Division was the need to award five games due to teams not being able to raise sides, with Marlborough Town being the guilty party on three such occasions, but the games had come thick and fast and it is a credit to all the Veterans’ sides that there were no more such occurrences given the short time frame that the games were concluded. Hopefully next season can be played at a more leisurely pace.
The golden boot award for the leading striker in the Veteran’s Divisions went to Charlie Griffin of Melksham Town who scored 25 goals in all competitions, five more than his fellow striker Steve Tweddle. David Rendle led the way in the North Division with 19, one less than Tweddle.
Fountain Trophies Senior Cup
Cup Final Report
On a warm Saturday afternoon on the May Bank Holiday weekend the curtain finally came down on the difficult 2020-21 Season for our Premier Division sides with the final of the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup at Corsham Town FC between Corsham Town Reserves and Pewsey Vale. In an extremely tight final played in front of a sizeable crowd, the two evenly matched sides cancelled each other out for most of the ninety minutes but the game was ultimately decided by one moment of brilliance in the second half.
Pewsey Vale went into the game without their most influential player in James Guthrie, who had scored 17 goals this season, the cup final unfortunately clashing with his brother’s stag do, whilst Corsham also were without a few of the players who had helped them through to the final. Corsham started the brighter and almost created a scoring chance in the opening minute. Adam Shipman cleverly took a quick throw-in putting Ben Wickens in behind the Pewsey back line but a good tackle from Gareth Robb saw the ball cleared for a corner. The corner came to nothing, and Pewsey were able to clear their lines. The first sniff of a chance for Pewsey came on five minutes, Oscar Middleton cut in from the left and just as he pulled the trigger his effort was blocked and cleared by the Corsham back line.
Corsham started to dominate the early possession and created a decent chance on seven minutes, Jack Brain fired in a shot which was well saved by Louie Latouche in the Pewsey goal with the ball rebounding to Jake Dodge but he was again denied by Latouche and the ball was cleared. A few minutes later Dodge was put in by Adam Shipman but a good recovery tackle from Pewsey skipper Liam Edmondson cleared the danger.
Both sides were using the long throw to try and create opportunities, Corsham’s Dan Watts was getting impressive distance on his throws and whilst Adam Shipman was winning a number of the heading duals in the box the ball was not finding a teammate. Similarly for Pewsey, Gareth Robb was getting distance on his throws but the tactic was not really leading to any scoring opportunities in the box.
On 16 minutes a foul on Ben Wickens by Robb saw Dominic Kilbane fire in a dangerous free kick for Corsham but it was dealt with by the Pewsey defence who were being well marshalled by captain Edmondson. Whilst Corsham had looked the livelier they nearly fell behind on 20 minutes as the best chance of the game up until that point fell to Pewsey. Edmondson fired a ball in from the right which was flicked-on into the path of youngster Rory England who, with just Alex Croker in the Corsham goal to beat, hit his shot over the bar and Corsham fans breathed a sigh of relief.
The pace of England and his fellow young strike partner Oscar Middleton was starting to cause problems for the Corsham defence with the ball being put into the channels for the two youngsters to run on to. However, it was from a set piece that Pewsey went close again to scoring a few minutes later when a Ryan Thomas free kick nearly deceived Corsham keeper Alex Croker who just did enough to touch the ball behind for a corner.
Corsham were also finding the long ball over the top to be an effective way to get behind the Pewsey back line. It was from one such ball just after the half hour mark that saw Ben Wickens put through and just as a challenge went in he went tumbling in the box but the half-hearted appeals for a penalty were ignored by referee Adam Bewley. Pewsey then went straight down the other end and their dugout, as well as many of the spectators in the crowd, thought they had broken the deadlock when a cross into the box was met by a brilliant powerful header from Oscar Middleton, which saw the bottom of the net ripple, but the ball had in fact gone just over the bar and then rebounded into the wrong side of the net.
The last five minutes of the half saw Corsham step up their game and end the half as they had started. A neat interchange between Ben Wickens and Jake Dodge saw Dodge get round Robb in the Pewsey defence but some good rearguard action from Robb’s teammates saw Pewsey snuff out the attack. Two minutes before the break a free kick from the influential Dominic Kilbane was flicked on by Jack Brain but unfortunately for Corsham it was straight at Pewsey keeper Latouche. The final chance of the half saw another Corsham ball over the top find Wickens but he was well covered off by the Pewsey defence and the two sides retired to the dressing rooms with the game still looking for the first goal.
Half Time: Corsham Town Res 0 Pewsey Vale 0
The first chance of the second half came Pewsey’s way, as the ball fell to Harvey Tooth on the edge of the Corsham box, but his shot sailed way over the bar. Pewsey’s defensive line were certainly not afraid to join in their attacks and it was full back Robb who then had a chance on 55 minutes, but his shot was well handled by Alex Croker in the Corsham goal. His clearance out saw the ball reach Adam Shipman on the right-hand side and his run down the wing and powerful cross into the box eluded the Pewsey defenders and came back off the near post but the rebound was then fired wide of the goal as another chance went begging.
It was now end-to-end stuff as both sides pushed for that first goal. Ryan Thomas threaded a ball through to Oscar Middleton who raced clear of the Corsham backline but keeper Croker, who was having an excellent game, was alert to the danger and just got there in time to clear. Middleton again got behind the Corsham defence just after the hour mark, although his challenge on Corsham’s Jamie Cunning on another day could well have been deemed a foul but, having got passed his defender, he then fired over. Middleton continued to cause lots of problems for the Corsham defence and he was again put through on 65 minutes, this time it was Ryan Banks who set him up with a smart pass but just as he was about to get his shot away the challenge came in and he was sent tumbling in the box. This time it was Pewsey’s strong appeals for a penalty that were waved away and it remained 0-0 but not for long.
Harvey Tooth was fouled on the edge of the Corsham 18-yard box and Ryan Thomas lined up to take the free kick. His free kicks in the first half, whilst going close, had not really been out of the top drawer but this one in the 72nd minute was to be a very special one. Thomas fired in the kick, and it sailed in the top far corner of the net giving Corsham keeper Croker no chance. Given the way Croker had been playing it needed to be something special to beat him and this certainly was.
The game then threatened to get heated as a lunge from Corsham substitute Matt Ralph on Pewsey youngster Rory England, whilst connecting with the ball, was a bit reckless and incensed the Pewsey players. A foul was given and the Corsham player was yellow carded. Moments later Pewsey’s Connor Marsden got past Dominic Kilbane who brought down the Pewsey player right on the edge of the area. On other days a penalty might have been given and Pewsey’s Ryan Banks clearly felt it was inside the box and his protestations saw him sent to the sin-bin for ten minutes as he disputed the call.
With the extra man advantage Corsham pushed for an equaliser and Adam Shipman went close for Corsham ten minutes from time, but his effort was saved by keeper Latouche who, like his opposite number was having an excellent game. Corsham were unable to take advantage of the extra man for that ten-minute spell and it remained 1-0 when Banks returned to the field. Indeed, it was Banks who had a late chance to extend the lead in the first minute of injury time, put in by Oscar Middleton he was denied by a great save from Croker in the Corsham goal. The game was to end on a worrying note though when Corsham’s Matt Ralph fell awkwardly when looking to challenge Ryan Thomas in the air and it looked quite serious. The player was stretchered off the field as the two sides and the referee sportingly declared that the game would end there with Pewsey the winners. It has subsequently been confirmed by Corsham that the player had sustained a hip injury, but we understand he is ok and all from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League wish him a speedy recovery.
Full Time: Corsham Town Res 0 Pewsey Vale 1
Pewsey Vale captain Liam Edmondson holds the cup aloft (picture courtesy of John Cuthberston)
Well done to Pewsey and commiserations to Corsham, who put in a tremendous effort in a very close game. There was little to choose between the two sides and it took a piece of magic to decide matters in Pewsey’s favour.
Speaking after the game goal scorer Ryan Thomas, who himself has suffered from injuries during his playing career, commented that “over the course of the season today was just reward for all the hard work that everyone at Pewsey has put in but added it was a horrible way to end the game” and wished a speedy recovery to the Corsham player.
Pewsey Vale manager Alistair Tuttle was obviously delighted with the victory and made similar comments to Thomas about the hard work that had gone on behind the scenes at Pewsey since they voluntarily dropped back down from Step 6 of the pyramid. Tuttle noted:
“There are no words to really describe how I feel at the moment, especially given where we have come from and how we have had to get the club back up and running and out of the doldrums. The work that has been done off the pitch by the hard-working committee with the refurbishment of the clubhouse and the like has been superb. The way this season has gone on the pitch, whilst we thought we would have a good season, we never expected to do so well and who knows we could have done a league and cup double. We are looking forward to next season now, with the next big target being to re-establish our reserve side who aim to play in the Swindon & District League next season.”
Corsham Town’s Jacob Price was filmed the action and the highlights can be viewed on their Youtube channel by clicking on the link in the picture below:
Fountain Trophies Senior Cup Final, the two starting line-ups (pictures courtesy of John Cuthberston)
To view the matchday programme for the Season 2020-21 Fountain Trophies Senior Cup Final click on the image of the programme.
There were some programmes left over from the game and anyone wanting a hard copy should contact League Secretary Jim Thorn at jim.thorn@wiltshireseniorleague.co.uk
Corsham Town with the Mid Wiltshire Division Championship Shield (pictures courtesy of John Cuthbertson)
Melksham Town's potent strike force of Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle who finished No. 1 and 2 in the Season 2020-21 Goal Scorers Chart
(pictures courtesy of David Giles and John Cutbertson)
