Wiltshire Senior League

Corsham Print

Wiltshire Senior League

2020-21 Premier Division

Season Preview

Introduction

The 45th Season of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League gets underway this coming Saturday although two of the scheduled fixtures have had to be postponed late on due to three Devizes Town players testing positive for Covid-19. Devizes Town Reserves scheduled trip to Corsham Town Reserves was postponed with Devizes the directly impacted club, but there was also an impact on Marlborough Town, who had played Devizes Town in a friendly last week, with their scheduled game against Frome Collegians also being called off. Hopefully, this is not a frequent occurrence but there is every chance that it could be, and it is perhaps a timely reminder to clubs to remain vigilant and follow all guidelines relating to Covid-19.

When the action does get underway on Saturday the anticipation is for another keenly contested battle for the title. The four sides who were up at the top of the table last season, Corsham Town Reserves, Shrewton United, Wroughton and Melksham Town Reserves are all once again expected to be up there challenging for honours. Corsham Town first team have a new manager and he has brought some quality players to the club which is expected to also have a positive impact on the players available for the reserve side. Shrewton United have lost a couple of players but have solved an issue they had last season on the goalkeeping front by bringing in a keeper from Corsham. Wroughton will be under new management but have made some astute signings to replace the possible loss of one of their two strikers from last season and are almost certainly going to be up there again with the squad they have assembled. Melksham Town Reserves are consistently strong and are expected to once again be challenging up at the top of the table.

One of the other teams expected to do this well is season are Pewsey Vale who have Alistair Tuttle, the manager from their last Hellenic League campaign, back in the dugout, and he has assembled a very strong squad ahead of the new season. They have had some impressive results in pre-season and will be looking to hit the ground running on Saturday when they visit Stratton Juniors, a team who did the double over them last season. Stratton Juniors are another side under new management and will be looking to build on last season’s initial first season at senior level.

Also under new management are Purton and the new management team have had a bit of a reunion with the players who played for them when they when in charge of the Royal Wootton Bassett Town Sunday side that pipped Greyhound to the Swindon Sunday League title a couple of seasons back. Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development, who were also having a good season before Covid-19 struck, have added some experience to their young squad and are a much more organised outfit under Stephen Yeardley. Trowbridge Town are expected to have a much better season with their top striker from 2018-19 returning after a season away at Corsham Town. Marlborough Town ended last season on a high and have continued that form in an extensive pre-season programme and will be looking to carry on where they left off last season.

Cricklade Town are also expected to have a much better season and have picked up three very good players as a result of the changes that have taken place at Purton in the summer. Like Stratton Juniors, Frome Collegians will now have a much better idea of what to expect after their inaugural season and with a loyal squad will be expected to build on last season’s decent start in the Wiltshire Senior League.

Malmesbury Victoria Development will once again be expected to have a young side and joint managers Troy Prentice and Dave Sheppard will be looking to get off to a better start than last season. With that extra years’ experience their young side is expected to kick-on this season. Something of an unknown quantity for the other sides in the league, Odd Down Reserves will be another team fielding a young side in the league. Having been successful at youth level in recent seasons Odd Down will look to make an impact at senior level. With many of the players coming through the JPL system they will be side that looks to play the ball on the ground and will certainly enjoy the two pitches they kick-off their Wiltshire Senior League campaign on.

Ludgershall Sports are another side to have a new manager at the helm, and he has made a number of new signings and Ludgershall are expected to have a much better season this time round. With Wroughton as their opening day opponents it will be a good test of their new look side. Finally, it is a welcome return to the league to Devizes Town Reserves who were founder members of the league but suffered relegation at the end of 2018-19. Promoted back at the first attempt they will be keen to ensure that there is no repeat of that relegation this coming season but a bit like Odd Down will be something of an unknown quantity to the other sides in the league. Unfortunately, due to the Covid incident their start to the campaign will now have to be delayed.

More Detailed Review

Each of the 16 teams is previewed in more detail below, including some of the key signings each has made for the coming season:

(please note fixtures shown below are subject to change due to re-scheduling caused by Covid-19 issues)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 1st

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Corsham Town Reserves were unbeaten away from home with 9 wins from the 11 away games played.

Manager: Jamie Moss – now in his 3rd season as manager with a healthy win ratio of 50% in league games.

Key Players Retained: Veteran Dan Lardner, who has been the sides top scorer in the past two seasons (2019-20: 17 goals and 2018-19: 9 goals) is expected to be back to the lead the line. Regulars Ed McCormack, Chay Forrester, Jamie Cunning and youngster Tom Tanner are all back at the Southbank for another season.

New Signings: Corsham Town have a new first team manager and a strong looking first team squad which should mean the Reserves, who in any event were very strong last season, will have strengthened as well ahead of the new season and are expected to be amongst the title challengers.

Last season's leading scorer Dan Lardner is expected to be back again this season

Like Playing: Malmesbury Vics Development - Corsham have lost just once in the last 7 meetings between the sides.

Bogey Sides: Melksham Town Res – just 2 wins in the last 14 league meetings but Corsham did win at the InfiLED in the 2019-20 aborted season.

Known Pre-season Results:

01-Aug Trowbridge T R (T&D) (H) W 7 - 0

08-Aug Melksham Town A (T&D) (A) L 1 - 2
18-Aug Highworth T Res (H) (Hell 2) L 2 - 3
29-Aug Clevedon United (A) (Som)   L 3 - 4

Opening Fixtures:
Wed 09-Sep-20 RWBT Dev (H)
Sat   12-Sep-20 Wroughton (A)
Wed 16-Sep-20 Odd Down Res (A)
Sat   19-Sep-20 Malmesbury Vics Dev (A)
Wed 23-Sep-20 Frome Collegians (H)
Sat   26-Sep-20 Melksham Town Res (H)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 8th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: When the season was brought to a premature end, of their remaining 8 games, Cricklade would have been home in 7 of them and none of the home games were against sides in the top 5 so would have expected to climb up the table if the season had continued.

Manager: Craig Kent – now in his 3rd season as manager and once again with Mike Weeks as his assistant with a win ratio of 43.8% in league games.

Key Players Retained: Most of last season’s squad have returned including the potent forward line of Jonathan Peachey Score (17 goals) and Jason Tatum (11 goals). Also returning to action after that serious leg break in the 2019-20 pre-season is Kris Redford.

New Signings: Three big signings from Purton in the shape of Will Backhouse, Liam Griffin and Tom McCulloch, the latter returning to the club for whom he scored 18 goals in the two seasons ending in 2018-19. Backhouse scored 24 goals for Purton in 2018-19.

Will Backhouse and Tom McCulloch, two signings from Purton, who will both bring goals to Cricklade

Jason Tatum will again be leading the Cricklade attack along with Jonathan Peachey-Score

Like Playing: Malmesbury Vics Development, Cricklade have won all of the last 7 league meetings, but they also have good records against Ludgershall Sports (75% win record), Shrewton United (75%) and Marlborough Town (71.4%).

Bogey Sides: Wroughton – Cricklade have lost all seven of the league meetings between the sides since the start of Season 2016-17.

Known Pre-season Results:
04-Aug Cirencester T D (Hell1W) (A) L 1 - 3
08-Aug-Letcombe (HellDiv2) (A)        L 0 - 1
11-Aug Faringdon T (HellDiv2) (A)     L 2 - 4
15-Aug Laverstock & F(Wessx1) (A) L 0 - 7
20-Aug-Calne T (Western D1) (A)      L 2 - 8
22-Aug Redhouse (S&DFL) (A)        W 5 - 1

Opening Fixtures:
Sat    05-Sep-20    Trowbridge Town (A)
Sat    19-Sep-20    Marlborough Town    (A)
Tue   22-Sep-20    RWBT Dev (A)
Sat    26-Sep-20    Purton    (A)
Wed 30-Sep-20   Malmesbury Vics Dev (A)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 2nd in Trowbridge & District

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Lost just once in the league last season, that defeat coming at league leaders Marshfield. With 10 wins in their 15 league games bounced back at the first attempt after relegation the previous season.

Manager: Chris O’Donovan is the man in charge for Devizes Town Reserves return to the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League.

Key Players Retained: Very few of last season’s promoted squad were registered at the time this preview went to press. From the side that played in their last fixture in the Trowbridge & District League just Declan Blandford, Kian Fulford, Angus Webster and Liam Moffat are currently registered. Richard Tandy, who made 9 appearances last season is also back, and Jordan Anning who played 12 times for the first team in the Western League last season and also was Calne U18’s top scorer in our U18 Division in 2018-19, is also registered for the Reserves.

New Signings: A whole raft of new names will be wearing the red and white stripes of Devizes this coming season.

Like Playing: Devizes Towns best winning record in the past 10 seasons is 37.5% against Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development.

Bogey Sides: Melksham Town Res and Shrewton United - Devizes have failed to beat Melksham in their last 10 meetings and have beaten Shtrewton just once in the last 12 games, losing 10 of those games.

Known Pre-season games:
VFC Devizes Town (H) W 8 - 1

Opening Fixtures:
Initial 4 fixtures postponed due to Covid-19
Sat 19-Sep-20    Royal W. Bassett T D (H)
Tue 22-Sep-20    Odd Down Res (A)
Sat   26-Sep-20    Frome Collegians (A)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 9th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Took their time to find their feet but got going with a win in the local derby with Trowbridge Town which started a run of improved results. Had a shaky spell in December and January but were unbeaten in their final 3 games of the curtailed 2019-20 season.

Manager: Karl Freeman – Now in his 4th season in charge having joined Frome in March 2017. Has an impressive win ratio of 62% across the Mid-Somerset Premier and Wiltshire Senior League Premier Divisions, although the Wilts alone record stands at 27%.

Key Players Retained: Virtually all of last season’s regular side have returned to the Old Showfield including leading strikers Barry Sandquest (11 goals) and Max Pollock (8 goals).

New Signings: Jordan Lawrence, who made 26 appearances for Westbury United in the Toolstation Western League in Season 2016-17, returns to Frome after a couple of seasons not playing.

Like Playing: Frome Collegians have 100%-win records against Ludgershall Sports, Stratton Juniors and Trowbridge Town but this only represents one game against each side and the record was declared null and void by the FA so no real trends as yet.

Bogey Sides: With just one partial season in the league it is hard to say but they did play Shrewton United three times last season and have yet to beat Shrewton.

Known Pre-season Results:
08-Aug Uphill Castle (Som Co) (H)   L 1 - 2
11-Aug Coleford Ath (Mid Som) (H) W 4 - 0
15-Aug Wells City Res (Som Co)(A) L 0 - 4
22-Aug Castle Carey (H) (SomCo) W 2 - 0
25-Aug Melksham T A (T&DFL) (H) W 3 - 1
29-Aug Somerton T (Som Co) (A)    L 1 - 6

Opening Fixtures:
Sat   12-Sep-20    Malmesbury Vics Dev (H)
Sat   19-Sep-20    Pewsey Vale    (H)
Wed 23-Sep-20    Corsham Town Res (A)
Sat   26-Sep-20    Devizes Town Res (H)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 15th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Ludgershall started last season with 12 straight defeats in all competitions, including a heavy loss at Bemerton Heath Harlequins in the Wiltshire Senior Cup. Their one and only win came against Malmesbury Vics Development and they ran a few teams close in the final games they played last season, but they never really recovered from the poor start. They will certainly be keen to register some points earlier on this coming season.

Manager: There is a new manager at Ludgershall Sports this season with Andy Fennell taking over in the dugout at Astor Crescent. Fennell has played for Ludgershall during the past two seasons but is now stepping up to take on his first managerial position in senior football.

Key Players Retained: Ludgershall have retained a good nucleus of the regulars from last season’s squad with Adonis Tinzon, Gavin Richards, Cameron Hoyle and Nathan Collins, who all played at least 16 times last season, back at Astor Crescent.

New Signings: Andy Fennell has pulled in a number of new players, with striker Liam Heaton, Cai Povey, James Massiah, Bruno Semedo and Astride Silva Correia all joining the club. Also returning after a season away is Kiefer Roper who scored 5 goals back in Season 2018-19. Adam Gilroy has also returned to the club having joined Marlborough Town part way through last season.

Like Playing: Corsham Town Reserves – Ludgershall have won 11 of the last 17 meetings.

Bogey Sides: Ludgershall lost both games to Stratton Juniors last season and also seem to struggle against Cricklade Town with just 1 win in the last 8 league meetings between the sides. There are some heavy defeats in those matches against Cricklade with Ludgershall conceding an average of 5.75 goals per game over those 8 recent league fixtures.

Known Pre-season results:
08-Aug Wroughton Res (S&D) (H)   L 0 - 4
12-Aug Netheravon (H)                  W 5 - 3
19-Aug Andover Sw (HantsPm) (H) L 2 - 3
22-Aug Marlborough Town (WSL)(H) L 0 - 5

Opening Fixtures:
Sat    05-Sep-20    Wroughton (H)
Tue   08-Sep-20    Shrewton United (A)
Sat    12-Sep-20    Trowbridge Town (A)
Sat    19-Sep-20    Stratton Juniors (H)
Sat    26-Sep-20    RWBT Dev (A)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 13th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Last season Malmesbury had a bad first month failing to win any of their 5 games in August. However, a much-improved September saw them win 3 of their 4 fixtures. They had entered another bad patch just as the season was brought to a premature end, losing 6 games on the bounce. They will be hoping for a much better start this time round.

Managers: Troy Prentice and David Sheppard are in charge for a second season. Troy, who was joint manager with Scott Liddington in 2018-19, remains in the dugout for a third season where he is joined by Dave Sheppard, who is joint manager, for a second consecutive season.

Key Players Retained: Last season’s leading scorer Gareth Jones is back along with regulars Macawley Brown, Ciaran Lyon, Danny Cook, Harrison Archer, Jake Fortune and Daniel Scull.

New Signings: Malmesbury have, as always, got a whole lot of youngsters coming through into Senior football. New names for Season 2020-2 include James Archer, Mike Boulton, Robbie Burton, Daniel Cole, Ryan Day, Jack Henwood, Aaron Sanghera and Jordan Tarrant.

Like Playing: Trowbridge Town – just 2 defeats for Malmesbury in the last 7 league fixtures between the sides.

Bogey Sides: All seven games played against both Cricklade Town and Shrewton Utd have been lost in the last four seasons. Malmesbury also struggle against Melksham Town Res with just one draw to show from their last eleven meetings, Melksham winning the other ten.

Known Pre-season results:
6-Aug Blunsdon Utd (S&DFL) (H) W 3 - 2
12-Aug Minety (Stroud) (H)             L 1 - 3
26-Aug Marshfield (T&D) (H)           D 1 - 1
29-Aug Ruby Removals (S&D) (A) W 4 - 3
2-Sep Redhouse (S&D) (A)              L 2 - 3

Opening Fixtures:
Sat 05-Sep-20   Melksham Town Res (A)
Sat 12-Sep-20   Frome Collegians (A)
Tue 15-Sep-20   Royal W. Bassett T D (A)
Sat 19-Sep-20   Corsham Town Res (H)
Tue 22-Sep-20   Purton (H)
Sat 26-Sep-20   Pewsey Vale (H)
Tue 29-Sep-20   Cricklade Town (H)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 10th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Last season Marlborough went on a run between the end of August and the beginning of February where they failed to win a match in 17 attempts but were on a streak of 4 straight wins when the season was brought to a premature end. Marlborough had a busy and reasonably successful pre-season, winning the Cricklade Challenge Cup in their final pre-season outing, and will be looking to hit the ground running this season, carrying on from where they left off at the end of last season.

Manager: Andy Ealey returns to the Marlborough Town dugout for his third season in charge with a win ratio of 24% from the games played in the past two seasons.

Key Players Retained: Virtually all of last season’s squad has returned, although Adam Gilroy has returned to Ludgershall Sports and Aaron Presley, who scored 5 times last season, has not signed at the time of going to press. Marlborough have held onto last season’s top scorer Jake Farrell and strike partner Chris Deane despite outside interest over the summer.

New Signings: One key signing is that of Chris Avery from Purton who scored 7 times for Purton last season and 9 in the 2018-19 season. Other new signings include James Muir, Jack Pullin, Greg Richardson, Elliott Smith and Michael Stone.

Chris Avery who joins Marlborough Town from Purton

Like Playing: Malmesbury Vics Development – Marlborough have lost just once in the last 8 league meetings, winning 6 of them.

Bogey Sides: The two sides that Marlborough tend to struggle against are Wroughton with just 3 wins in the last 20 meetings and Melksham Town Reserves who they have beaten just twice in 12 meetings.

Known Pre-season results:
01-Aug Redhouse (S&DFL) (A)       L 1 - 4
04-Aug Swindon AFC (S&DFL) (N) W 5 - 1
08-Aug Lambourn Spts (NBerks) (A)W 3 - 1
13-Aug Cricklade T Res (HellD2) (H) L 1 - 2
15-Aug Bibury (GNSL) (A)               W 4 - 1
22-Aug Ludgershall Spts (WSL)(A)   W 5 - 0
29-Aug Devizes Town (Western1) (A L 0 - 4
1-Sep The Globe (S&D) (N) D 2- 2(5-4Pen)

Opening Fixtures:
Sat    12-Sep-20    Stratton Juniors (A)
Sat    19-Sep-20    Cricklade Town (H)
Tue    22-Sep-20    Shrewton United (A)
Sat    26-Sep-20    Odd Down Res (H)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 5th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: As in most recent seasons, Melksham Town Reserves were pretty consistent throughout last season, losing just 5 of their 20 league games played, those defeats coming against Trowbridge Town, Pewsey Vale, Cricklade Town and two of the leading sides Corsham Town Reserves and Wroughton. Just prior to the season ending Melksham lost just one of their final 7 games, that defeat coming in the final game against Cricklade Town.

Manager: David Macey is another manager about to embark on his third season in charge with a healthy win ratio of 54% from the league games he has overseen in the past two seasons.

Key Players Retained: Last season’s leading scorer Harvey Flippance, who scored 23 goals for Melksham Town Reserves and another 10 for FC Chippenham in the Under 18 Division, has re-signed for another season although there is every chance that he could break into the Melksham Town first team this coming season. Other regulars from last season are back with Alex Shaftoe, Cullen Wylie, Isaac Wain, Kieron Pearce, Rory Collins and Patrick Kapelka all returning to the InfiLED this coming season.

New Signings: One big signing is the return of Rhys Talmash to the club where he scored 17 goals playing alongside the prolific Callum Demkiv back in Season 2017-18. Last season Talmash started the season at Royal Wootton Bassett Town in the Hellenic Premier before spending time at Western League sides Corsham Town and Calne Town. A number of youngsters will be looking to make the step up from the Under 18 side, including Aron Byfield, Olly Clarke, Callumn Howard and Joshua Taylor. Dean Flockton, with plenty of first team experience, will provide guidance to the youngsters this coming season.

Rhys Talmash returns to the Melksham Town Res forward line this coming season

Like Playing: Malmesbury Vics Development and Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development – Melksham have won 10 of the last 11 league meetings with Malmesbury and have not lost to RWBT in the last 10 league games, 8 of which were won.

Bogey Sides: Wroughton are the side Melksham have the most trouble beating with the last 11 league meetings going back 6 seasons seeing just 2 Melksham wins.

Known Pre-season results:
15-Aug Odd Down (WestPrem)(A) L 1 - 4
21-Aug Warminster T Res (T&D)(A) W 7 - 0
22-Aug Tisbury Utd Res (Dorset) (A) L 2 - 4
27-Aug Staverton United (T&D) (H) W 4 - 1
29-Aug Malmesbury V (HellD1W)(H) L 1 - 2

Opening Fixtures:
Sat 05-Sep-20 Malmesbury Vics Dev (H)
Thur 10-Sep-20 Odd Down Res (H)
Sat 12-Sep-20 Royal W. Bassett T Dev (A)

Tue 15-Sep-20 Wroughton (H)

Sat 19-Sep-20 Shrewton United (H)
Tue 22-Sep-20 Pewsey Vale (H)
Sat 26-Sep-20 Corsham Town Res(A)
Wed 30-Sep-20 Odd Down Res (A)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: N/A

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Odd Down Reserves did not enter a league last season but had previously played in the Somerset County League Premier Division from 2011-12 to 2018-19, with the highest position being a 5th place finish in 2015-16. Their final season in the Somerset County Premier Division had seen them finish bottom of the table with just the one league win all season.

Most of the Odd Down Reserves side this season will be young players who have been part of the successful JPL side, EvoSoccer Bath, which incorporates the best young players from Bath City, Bath Arsenal and Larkhall. Last season they were playing in the Premier Division of the U18 Western Counties Floodlight Youth League as Odd Down and were on course for the league title when Covid-19 struck.

Manager: James Riccio, a former Odd Down first team player, who is also the chairman of the highly successful Youth club Bath Arsenal, will be at the helm assisted by former Odd Down first team captain Terry Wade who is now in the twilight of his playing days.

Key Players Retained and New Signings: The team will be predominantly made up of last season’s successful Odd Down U18 side, with a couple of older former Odd Down first team players in Terry Wade and James Riccio playing alongside the youngsters.

Like Playing: As a new side, yet to be determined but will be excited by visiting 15 new opponents this coming season.

Bogey Sides: As a new side, yet to be determined!

Known Pre-season results:
1-Aug Chew Magna (SomCo) (H) W 8 - 3
15-Aug Burnham Utd (SomCo) (A) D 3 - 3
22-Aug Staverton Utd (T&D) (H)     W 2 - 1
29-Aug Abbeymead Rov (GNS) (H) W 3 - 1
01-Sep Fry Club FC (SomCo) (A)    W 1 - 0

Opening Fixtures:
Sat   05-Sep-20 Royal W. Bassett T Dev (A)
Thur 10-Sep-20 Melksham Town Res (A)
Sat   12-Sep-20 Pewsey Vale    (H)
Wed 16-Sep-20 Corsham Town Res    (H)
Sat   19-Sep-20 Wroughton (A)
Tue 22-Sep-20 Devizes Town Res (H)
Sat   26-Sep-20 Marlborough Town (A)
Wed 30-Sep-20 Melksham Town Res (H)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 14th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Pewsey Vale started last season as the second side at the club but following their withdrawal from the Sydenhams Wessex League the team in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League became the first team. There was an uptick in their fortunes from that point on with a number of former players returning to the club.

Manager: Pewsey Vale, will have a new management team in the dugout for next season, but they will be familiar faces to many at Pewsey. Season 2020-21 will see the return of former manager Alistair Tuttle along with Pewsey Vale legends Alan Blake and Darren Tapper, who will also be joining Tuttle in the dugout. The trio take over from Benn Pike who was manager after Pewsey Vale went down to just the one side last season. Tuttle was in charge at Pewsey back in Season 2017-18 and 2018-19 when the club were in the Uhlsport Hellenic League but was exasperated by the FA decision to relocate the club to the Sydenhams Wessex League for Season 2019-20 and stepped down prior to the start of that partial season in the Wessex League.

Key Players Retained: The players that came back to Pewsey at the back end of last season have all returned for the coming season. This includes many with experience in the Hellenic and Wessex Leagues with the likes of Ryan Banks, Liam Edmondson, Ryan Thomas, James Turner and James Guthrie, the latter having started last season with National League South Chippenham Town before moving to Southern League side Swindon Supermarine. As well as having some experienced players, Pewsey have retained most of their exciting youngsters such as Harvey Rutherford, Connor Marsden and Oliver England, who steps up from the U18 side.

New signings: Dan Reynolds returns to the club having spent time at Shrivenham in the Hellenic Premier League last season.

Ryan Banks and Ryan Thomas who will bring Hellenic Premier League experience to Pewsey this season

Like Playing: Corsham Town Reserves – Pewsey have won the last 3 league games.

Bogey Sides: Shrewton United – Shrewton have won the last three meetings between the sides, including doing the double over Pewsey in 2009-10. Last season Pewsey were beaten twice by both Stratton Juniors and Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development and will be looking for their first point against these sides this coming season.

Known Pre-season Results:
03-Aug Redhouse (S&DFL) (H)       W 4 - 0
08-Aug Andoversford    (GNSL) (H) W 2 - 1
11-Aug Kintbury Rangers (Hell2) (A) D 1 - 1
22-Aug Hilperton Utd (T&D) (H)       W 8 - 1
27-Aug Laverstock & F (Wesx1)(H) W 2 - 0
1-Sep   Melksham T A (T&D) (H)     W 8 - 0

Opening Fixtures:
Sat   05-Sep-20    Stratton Juniors (A)
Sat   12-Sep-20    Odd Down Res (A)
Tue 15-Sep-20    Shrewton United (A)
Sat   19-Sep-20    Frome Collegians (A)
Tue   22-Sep-20    Melksham Town Res (A)
Sat   26-Sep-20    Malmesbury Vics Dev (A)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 6th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: 4 of Purton’s defeats last season came against top 3 sides. They also slipped up in the local derbies against Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev and Malmesbury Vics Dev and will look to avoid conceding local bragging rights this season.

Managers: Wayne Petrie and Dave Terry embark on their first season at the helm having previously managed Shrivenham Development in the Hellenic League Division 2.

Key Players Retained: It is all change at Purton following the change of management with just five players from last season returning to the Redhouse including Joe English, Jack Duckers and Callum Hall. From last season’s regulars Liam Griffin, Will Backhouse and Tom McCulloch have all moved to Cricklade Town, keeper Luke Kuczynski is at Highworth Town Res, last season’s captain Steve Keir has joined Hungerford Town Swifts in the Hellenic League and George Drewitt has returned to Royal Wootton Bassett Town.

New Signings: There are a whole raft of new signings, with many having previously played for the management team at either Shrivenham Development or on a Sunday at Royal Wootton Bassett Town including Marcus Hall who played for Purton for many years when they were in Hellenic League Division 1 West. Aaron Dainton, Lewis Petrie and Josh Morse move across from Shrivenham where all were regulars in Shrivenham’s first team in the Hellenic Premier Division last season. Danny Hale who played for both Shrivenham and Stratton Juniors last season also makes the move to the Redhouse. Jack Duckers returns having spent the back end of last season at Malmesbury Victoria.

Danny Hale, Lewis Petrie, Aaron Dainton and Jack Duckers who all have made the move to Purton in the summer

Like Playing: Marlborough Town – Purton have lost just once in 6 meetings since returning from the Hellenic League, winning 4 of those games.

Bogey Sides: Purton have struggled against Corsham Town Reserves since they dropped back down from the Hellenic League, with just 1 win in 6 meetings.

Known Pre-season Results:
12-Aug Shrivenham Dev (Hell2) (H) L 2 - 4
19-Aug Cricklade T Res (Hell 2) (H) W 3 - 2
27-Aug Fairford T Res (HellD2) (A) W 3 - 1
29-Aug NALGO Sports (S&D) (H) W 10 - 1

02 Sep Sw.Supermarine (HellD2)(H) L 1 - 2

Opening Fixtures:
Sat 12-Sep-20    Shrewton United (A)
Sat 19-Sep-20    Trowbridge Town (H)
Wed 23-Sep-20   Malmesbury Vics Dev (A)
Sat 26-Sep-20    Cricklade Town (H)
Thur 01-Oct-20    RWBT Dev (A)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 7th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: 5 of the 7 defeats last season were against the top 5 and all 5 were by a single goal margin.

Manager: Stephen Yeardley, the club’s first team record all-time appearance maker, who took over in the managerial seat early on last season now starts his second season and hopefully first full season at the helm.

Key Players Retained: Youngsters Charlie McCuish (11 goals) and Bailey Gallagher (7 goals) both return to the Gerard Buxton Ground but this could be the season they break into the first team. Excellent keeper Adam House also returns for another season. Manager Yeardley is surrounding all the youngsters with plenty of Hellenic Premier experienced campaigners with Dale Richards (8 goals last season) and Tony Joyce expected to be regulars in the Development Team this season, along with regular Dev team players Nick Mason and Ben Brown.

New Signings: George Drewitt returns to his hometown club after spending last season at Purton. George Lance, a player with plenty of Hellenic League Premier Division experience returns from university.

New signings George Drewitt (from Purton) and George Lance who make a welcome return to the Gerard Buxton Ground.

Like Playing: Cricklade Town – Royal Wootton Bassett Town have won 4 of the last 7 league meetings between the two sides.

Bogey Sides: Melksham Town Reserves – Royal Wootton Bassett have not won any of the last 10 meetings between the sides.

Known Pre-season Results:
1-Aug RWB Town 1st (HellPrem)(H) L 0 - 5
15-Aug Calne Town (WestDiv1) (A)   L 0 - 3
22-Aug Sw.Superm. D (Hell2) (H)     W 3 - 0
29-Aug RWB Town Vets (H)              W 6 - 0

Opening Fixtures:
Sat   05-Sep-20   Odd Down Res (H)
Wed 09-Sep-20 Corsham Town Res (A)
Sat   12-Sep-20   Melksham Town Res (H)
Tue 15-Sep-20   Malmesbury Vics Dev (H)
Sat   19-Sep-20   Devizes Town Res (A)
Tue   22-Sep-20 Cricklade Town (H)
Sat    26-Sep-20 Ludgershall Sports (H)
Thur 01-Oct-20   Purton (H)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 2nd

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Lost just once on their travels last season and that was an opening day defeat at Cricklade in a high scoring game. Were unbeaten in 9 league games at the time the 2019-20 season was brought to a premature end.

Manager: Joe Sheldrake – now entering his third season in charge with an impressive win ratio of 62.5% in the league games he has overseen so far.

Key Players Retained: Craig Lewis, who re-joined Shrewton towards the back end of last season from Pewsey, will also be there from the start this season. He was Shrewton’s top goal scorer in four of the previous five seasons and had also been Shrewton’s top scorer on a couple of occasions in their Western League period. Shrewton have also retained the bulk of last season’s side with regulars Charlie Utterson, Jake Watson, Dean Smith, Tyler Pavey, Lee Himsworth, Steve Holvey, Lee Weeks, Connor Cutler and Tyren Harrington all committing for another season.

New Signings: Major signing of the summer was Shrewton picking up Corsham Town’s goalkeeper Dave Cardus who played 11 times in the Toolstation Western League last season plus made 14 appearances for Corsham Town Reserves who led the Wiltshire Senior League at the time the season was ended early. Craig Lewis who re-joined Shrewton towards the back end of last season from Pewsey will also be there from the start this season.

As well as the new signings there have been a few departures all to clubs playing at a higher level. Ronan Clancy has been picked up by Sydenhams Wessex League side Bemerton Heath Harlequins and leading scorer Saul Johnson has moved to Calne Town and Dominic Jackson to Laverstock & Ford.

New signing keeper Dave Cardus (from Corsham Town) and Craig Lewis who is expected to be amongst the goals again this season fr the team who have been the league's highest scorers in the past 2 seasons

Like Playing: Malmesbury Vics Development – Shrewton have won all 7 of the recent league meetings between the two sides. They also have a good record against Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development, winning 8 of the last 10 league meetings.

Bogey Sides: Shrewton’s record is generally good against all the league with their worst win record being against Melksham Town Reserves who they have beaten just 4 times in their last 11 meetings.

Known Pre-season Results:
1-Aug   Alderbury FC (Southh'n) (A) W 3 - 2
8-Aug   Bemerton H. (Wessex 1) (A) L 1 - 5
12-Aug Clarendon (Hants Prem) (A) L 4 - 5
15-Aug Melksham T A (T&DFL) (A) W 4 - 0
22-Aug Andover N.S. Swifts (A)        L 1 - 4
29-Aug Colden Com. (HantsPr) (A) L 1 - 6

02 Sep Three Daggers (T&DFL) (H) W 3 - 1

Opening Fixtures:
Tue    08-Sep-20   Ludgershall Sports (H)
Sat    12-Sep-20    Purton    (H)
Tue    15-Sep-20   Pewsey Vale (H)

Sat 19-Sep-20 Melksham Town Res (A)

Tue    22-Sep-20   Marlborough Town (H)
Sat    26-Sep-20    Wroughton (H)
Tue    29-Sep-20   Trowbridge Town (H)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 12th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: After starting with 5 straight defeats Stratton acclimatised to their new surroundings and picked it up in September going the month unbeaten. They gave title favourites Wroughton three tough games losing at home by a solitary goal on the opening day of the season, drawing at the Weir Field in the return and then losing 2-0 in another close game in the Wiltshire Senior Cup.

Manager: There is a new manager at the helm with club chairman Magnus Painter taking over from Craig Bright in the dugout.

Key Players Retained: Goalkeeper Stephen Bizley is back along with Ryan Major and Nathaniel Harrison, who both contributed goals last season along with Chris Price who was an ever-present last season. Josh Morse and Danny Hale have left for Purton and another notable absentee from last season appears to be leading scorer Scott Garrett.

New Signings: One notable signing is the experienced Bradley Gill who fired FC Sanford to the Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division title back in 2011-12.

Like Playing: Ludgershall Sports and Pewsey Vale – Stratton Juniors did the league double over both sides last season and open their current campaign against Pewsey on Saturday but are likely to find them a much tougher proposition this season.

Bogey Sides: With just one partial season in the league it is difficult to call anyone their bogey team, but Stratton did lose twice to Corsham Town Reserves, Purton and Shrewton United last season before matters were brought to a holt. They failed to score in the 2 games with Shrewton, conceding 9 and shipped 13 goals in the 2 games with Corsham and will be hoping to better against these top sides this coming season.

Known Pre-season Results:
1-Aug Letcombe (HellDiv2) (A)         W 2 - 1
15-Aug Shrivenham Dev (Hell2) (H) L 2 - 3
18-Aug Priory Vale (S&DFL) (H)       Aband
22-Aug Andover T (WessexD1) (A) L 0 - 1

Opening Fixtures:
Sat    05-Sep-20    Pewsey Vale (H)
Sat    12-Sep-20    Marlborough Town (H)
Sat    19-Sep-20    Ludgershall Sports (A)
Sat    26-Sep-20    Trowbridge Town (A)

Trowbridge Town

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 11th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Trowbridge Town’s 2019-20 season is best described as inconsistent. They started with back-to-back wins, including a win over a strong Melksham Town Reserves side, but then lost to sides they would have expected to beat. A win over Shrewton seemed to indicate they raised their game when playing the top sides but continued to lose games against teams in mid-table or towards the bottom. They picked up just one win in their final 8 games before the season was brought to an early end, that a 3-1 win at bottom of the table Ludgershall. They will once again hope to get off to a good start and this time maintain it through the winter months.

Manager: Ant Ottaviano is back in the dugout once again for his third season in charge and goes into the season with a win ratio of 41% in the league games he has overseen to date.

Key Players Retained: Trowbridge Town have retained the services of regular goal scorers Aaron Masson, Alex Pippard, Jacob Sainsbury and Jordan Gullis who contributed 26 goals between them last season. Also back are Elliott Caldicott, Edward Cooke, Adam Potter, Dan Cockerill, Frankie Elliott and Mark Reynolds who were all regulars last season.

New Signings: The big signing for Trowbridge Town is the return of Joshua Hard, who scored 22 goals for Trowbridge back in 2018-19, from Corsham Town where he mainly featured for the first team in the Western League last season.

Like Playing: Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development and Marlborough Town – Trowbridge have won 7 of the last 9 league meetings against Bassett, losing just the once. They also have a good record against Marlborough Town with 11 victories in the last 15 league meetings.

Bogey Sides: Purton – Trowbridge have just one win in 11 recent meetings with Purton stretching back to the time when both sides were in Division One West of the Hellenic League.

Known Pre-season Results:
01-Aug Corsham Town (WestD1)(H) L 1 - 8
08-Aug Bradford T (WestPrem) (A)   L 0 - 1
15-Aug Devizes T (WestD1) (H)        L 1 - 2
22-Aug Warminster Utd (T&D) (H)    L 0 - 1
25-Aug Kew PR (T&D) (H)                W 5 - 1
02-Sep Kew PR (T&D) (H)              L 1 - 2

Opening Fixtures:
Sat 05-Sep-20    Cricklade Town (H)
Sat 12-Sep-20    Ludgershall Sports (H)
Sat 19-Sep-20    Purton (A)
Sat 26-Sep-20    Stratton Juniors (H)
Tue 29-Sep-20    Shrewton United (A)

Position in 2019-20 at Time of Season Suspension: 4th

Features of 2019-20 League Season: Due to a great cup run in the Wiltshire Senior League which took them to the semi-final Wroughton were a little behind with their fixtures by the time the season ended but had yet to taste defeat in their opening 15 league fixtures, 12 of which had been won. The only defeats suffered last season were in the cup, losing to Toolstation Western League side Calne Town in the County Cup semi-final and Melksham Town Reserves in the Fountain Trophies Cup.

Manager: Adrian Wilkinson, after two highly successful seasons, has left Wroughton on the eve of the 2020-21 Season. The departure is a mutual decision and the first game on Saturday will see Chairman Kevin Cook, Secretary Stuart Beggs and last year’s assistant Simon Lowe in the dugout whilst a replacement is found.

Key Players Retained: Virtually all last season’s successful squad are back, with the main doubt being around Aaron Maximen who, whilst signing for Wroughton, is expected to play for Highworth Town in the Southern League but could still start the season with Wroughton. Kyle Parker has left to join Fairford Town in the Hellenic Premier after a successful pre-season with Fairford. In addition, Riegan Cook has also been training with Highworth Town in pre-season. The league’s leading scorer Shane Hibbert is back once again to lead the line for Wroughton.

New Signings: Whilst Arron Maximen is a doubt, Wroughton have moved to sign a more than adequate replacement in Devan Bryan, a player who has scored over 200 goals in the Wiltshire Senior League since the start of Season 2012-13, including an impressive 48 in one season in 2017-18 whilst playing for Cricklade Town. In addition, Matt Bennett, who joined Wroughton at the back end of last season from Hellenic Premier League side Royal Wootton Bassett Town, has also returned to the Weir Field.

Wroughton's new signing Devan Bryan who will provide a potent strikeforce alongside the prolific Shane Hibbert

Like Playing: Cricklade Town – Wroughton have won all 7 of the recent league meetings between the two sides.

Bogey Sides: Purton – Wroughton have won just once in six league meetings since Purton returned to the league from the Hellenic Division One West.

Known Pre-season Results:
15-Aug Wantage T Dev (HellD2)(H) W 7 - 3
22-Aug Malmesbury V (Hell1W) (A) L 0 - 3
29-Aug Shrivenham (HellPrem) (A)   L 2 - 3

Opening Fixtures:
Sat   05-Sep-20    Ludgershall Sports (A)
Sat   12-Sep-20    Corsham Town Res (H)

Tue 15-Sep-20 Melksham Town Res (A)

Sat 19-Sep-20 Odd Down Res (H)
Sat 26-Sep-20 Shrewton United (A)

This Saturday’s revised opening day fixtures are now:

Ludgershall Sports v Wroughton
Melksham Town Res v Malmesbury Vics Dev
Royal W. Bassett T Dev v Odd Down Res
Stratton Juniors v Pewsey Vale
Trowbridge Town v Cricklade Town

3 September 2020

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