Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League
A family affair for the two new sides 
in their opening games of the season

Matt Bennett goes close for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev in their 2-1 win over Devizes Town Res

It was a good opening day of the season for the two new sides on Saturday with both Salisbury FC Development and Calne Town Reserves picking up big wins in their first games of the season. Last season’s leaders Pewsey Vale also secured an impressive win at home to Wroughton, who once again started the season as defending champions after two curtailed seasons with no new title winners crowned.

At The Raymond McEnhill Stadium, Salisbury’s visitors were a Purton side under new management in Andy Ealey, the manager having moved across from Marlborough Town. Both sides went into the game not knowing much about each other, but we now know that Salisbury look like they will be a force to be reckoned with this season following a comprehensive 7-1 victory. On a warm afternoon it was certainly a good afternoon for the Timberley family. Owen Taylor put Salisbury in front early on, then a free kick from Jonny Timberley made it 2-0. Aidan Savage scored a third for Salisbury before Ed Timberley made it 4-0 five minutes before the break. There was no let-up in the second half from Salisbury, Ed Timberley scored a second of the game to make it 5-0. Purton pulled one back through Brandon Page to reduce the deficit but further goals from the Timberley boys, Ed completing his hat-trick and Jonny netting his second of the game rounded off a good afternoon for manager Mark Winter and his side.
Calne Town Reserves had been tipped by a number of managers in the Premier Division to do well this season and they did not disappoint with a comfortable 5-1 win over Shrewton United who went into the game with a number of key players missing. Again, this one was also a bit of a family affair with four of the five goals being scored by a Gleed. Kieron Gleed put Calne 1-0 ahead before brother Billy then got in on the act to make it 2-0. Kieron then scored his second of the game to make it 3-0 before completing his hat-trick as he made it 4-0 to Calne. Lee Himsworth pulled a goal back for visitors Shrewton but Calne’s recent signing from Corsham Town Jamal Chevelleau then rounded off the scoring with a fifth for Calne to restore the four-goal advantage.

Pewsey had been the leading side last season, top of the table at the time the league season was curtailed, they then went on to lift the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup, winning all their games at the group stage and then defeating Corsham Town Reserves 1-0 in the final. Wroughton had decided not to participate in the cup competition and then during the summer, most of the side that had lifted the title in Season 2018-19 and then done well in the two seasons that did not go the duration, left the club. Consequently, it was a youthful Wroughton side that travelled to the Recreation Ground to play a Pewsey side that had retained all their successful squad from last season. Two goals in each half saw Pewsey achieve what to some may look a comfortable win but manager Alistair Tuttle knew his side had been involved in a tough game against a well organised Wroughton side. Commenting after the game he noted that “the match was not as easy as the score line would suggest, they were a well organised side who caused us a few problems.” He also commented that he was impressed with the way Wroughton had carried out Covid tests for their players after one of their players had tested positive in the week to ensure the game on Saturday went ahead. Last season’s leading scorer James Guthrie set Pewsey on their way with their opening before Dan Reynolds extended the lead ahead of the break. Two second half goals from Harry Hoareau, a player who had a great strike ratio last season and looks to be carrying on where he left off in 2020-21, ensured maximum points for Pewsey to start the season.
Melksham Town Reserves sat second in the table last season when the league season was ended after a magnificent run of ten unbeaten games, nine of which had been won. They kicked this season off on Friday night under lights at the InfiLED in front of a healthy crowd. They started the match with a quick tempo and completely overran visitors Malmesbury Victoria Development in the opening ten minutes of the game. They were rewarded for this domination when Elliott Corp put them ahead. However, Malmesbury responded well to going behind, settled down and got themselves level after 15 minutes when Jack Duckers fired in a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box which flew into the top corner. Malmesbury then shaded the closing stages of the half and had a good chance to go in front but the chance was missed, and it remained 1-1 at the break. Like they had done at the start of the first half Melksham came out of the blocks quickly in the second half and went back in front when Will Backhouse got on the end of a cross for his first league goal for his new club having, like Corp, moved from Cricklade Town in the summer. Melksham’s more physical approach in the second half saw them extend the lead when a third ex-Cricklade player, Alex Baker, got on the score sheet for his new club with a well worked team goal. The only blemish on what was a good night for Melksham saw substitute Jason Tatum dismissed within ten minutes of coming on. Having already been booked a reckless tackle saw him pick up a second yellow card and he received his marching orders. Despite the defeat Malmesbury manager Troy Prentice was pleased with his side’s efforts, particularly in the first half. “We were over run in those opening ten minutes but once we settled down, got the equaliser, we looked comfortable. They upped their game in the second half and were a lot more physical in their approach, but I was pleased with the performance.” Melksham manager Craig Kent missed the game due to illness but commented afterwards that he was “thoroughly pleased with starting off the season with three points against a good Malmesbury side.”

Three former Cricklade Town players, Elliott Corp, Will Backhouse and Alex Baker were all on target in Melksham Town Res opening night win

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development were another side who were going well last season when the league action was brought to a halt, and like Wroughton they had opted out of playing in the Fountain Trophies Cup. They returned to action on Saturday when Devizes Town Reserves were the visitors to the Gerard Buxton Ground, with the game switched to the 3G due to a change in Bassett’s first team fixtures. It was the home side who created a hatful of early chances, with Matt Bennett the creator of most of the opportunities, setting up Tyler Sheppard and Ryan Withers on a number of occasions but the chances were squandered. The deadlock was finally broken on 24 minutes when a neat pass from Withers fed in Sheppard and this occasion he made no mistake firing into the Devizes net. Matt Bennett went close to extending the lead when a defensive error put him in the clear but an excellent save by the Devizes keeper kept the score at 1-0. From the resulting corner the keeper did well again to deny Withers as the home side continued to press for a second. Just before the half time break Bennett hit the post and it remained just the one goal at half time. The home side eventually did extend their lead mid-way through the second half, good work down the left from Bennett saw him cross to the far post, Sheppard headed the ball down to Nick Mason who fired in an excellent volley to make it 2-0. Devizes then had their best spell as they sought to get back in the game and when the home sides Tyrhys Mifsud foolishly said something to referee Ella Broad and was sent to the sin bin the visitors took full advantage of the extra man ten minutes to go. A ball over the top saw Jack Smith beat the home side keeper to the ball as he came off his line and place a shot into the far bottom corner of the net for 2-1. Both sides created chances but none were taken and it was Royal Wootton Bassett Town who secured the three points courtesy of a 2-1 win. Commenting after the game manager Steve Yeardley said, “We should have won that by a lot more, we missed a lot of chances, particularly in the first half, but it is always good to get that first win in your opening game.”

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev's Nick Mason and Tyler Sheppard who were both on target in their 2-1 win over Devizes Town Reserves

Devizes Town Res ahead of their game at Royal W. Bassett Town Dev

Frome Collegians went into the half time break at The Old Showfield two goals to the good, captain Barry Sandquest netting twice, in an excellent first half showing against Corsham Town Development. Whatever was said at half time in the Corsham dressing room certainly had the desired effect as the visitors came out after the break and turned the game around with three quick goals of their own, Ben Wickens bagging a brace and defender Jamie Cunning also finding the net. Frome picked themselves back up and got back on level terms when Pete Weston, who joined from Coleford Athletic in the summer, equalised to make it 3-3. The deciding goal came six minutes from time, James Hounsell firing in from distance to ensure it was the Collegians who got the new term off to a winning start.

Barry Sandquest (2), Pete Weston and James Hounsell were all on target in Frome Collegians 4-3 win against Corsham Town Dev

The final game of the weekend was at the Lew Hill Memorial Stadium where Marlborough Town, another side who were under new management, were Odd Down Reserves visitors. After a traumatic summer new manager Steve Chadwick will be delighted with the point his side came away with following a 0-0 draw against a side who were at the top end of the table last season. Whilst Odd Down had most of the pressure the Marlborough side defended stoically throughout, with young goalkeeper Jake Hull being the star of the show denying Odd Down on a number of occasions to ensure his side left with a point. 

The game between Ludgershall Sports and Stratton Juniors with postponed with Ludgershall unable to raise a side with players being away.
14 August 2021
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