The big game on Monday in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans Division was at the InfiLED Stadium, home of Melksham Town, where Melksham were looking to defend their 100% winning run against an in-form Bradford Town who had moved up into fourth spot after wins just before and just after lockdown. Despite Melksham creating numerous chances it was the visitors Bradford Town who led at the break thanks to a goal from Paul Beavers, his fifth of the campaign. Melksham were on top after the interval and were rewarded with a goal apiece from their prolific strike duo of Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle. Bradford Town, who were well organised and worked hard all night, were unable to find an equaliser as Melksham held out for the 2-1 win but knew they had been given their toughest test of the season so far. The win saw Melksham move above VFC Devizes and go two points clear at the top of the table, both sides having now played seven games. The top two sides meet at the end of the month in a match that go along way to deciding the title, although Corsham Town are also shaping up to have a strong title challenge and are expected to have a big say in matters in the Mid Wiltshire Division.

Corsham Town’s latest win was a comfortable 7-0 home success over Trowbridge Tigers on Monday night at the Southbank Ground. Corsham led 2-0 at the break but an impressive second half performance from Corsham saw them score five more unanswered goals. Simon Gray led the way bagging a brace and there were also goals for Stuart Skinner, Luke Chapman, Adam Taylor and James Lye. After an opening game defeat to Melksham, Corsham are now unbeaten in five and whilst six points behind second placed VFC Devizes they have a game in hand and looking like they are going to have a big say in the title race in the Mid Wiltshire Division.

Amesbury Junior Vets had a tough first week after lockdown, losing to the top two Melksham and VFC Devizes in the space of four days last week. They were looking to get back on track on Monday night when they entertained Marlborough Town at Green Lane, Devizes. Marlborough, who had been the top veteran’s side in each of the last two seasons, had started to find their form just before lockdown, with two wins in their final three games before the enforced break. In a tight affair Marlborough edged it by the odd goal in three, Michael Martin and Craig Wall, with his fifth of the season, scoring the Marlborough goals, Ryan Keightley with the Amesbury reply which came early in the second half.

On Tuesday evening FC Calne were looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Corsham when they met a St Andrews side who had also tasted defeat in their first fixture after lockdown last week. For the second time this season St Andrews were involved in a game that was to see neither side score and the points were shared. The point saw FC Calne move up a place in the table into fifth spot, whilst St Andrews remained back in ninth place, but six points clear of bottom of the table Chippenham Yard Dogs.

The fixture in the North Wiltshire Veterans Division on Tuesday night saw the two sides in mid-table, Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Stratton Juniors, look to close the gap to the top two. When the two sides had met back in October they had shared six goals and the points, and another close encounter resulted in the second meeting of the sides this season. Once again there were plenty of goals, with Stratton Juniors edging it by the odd goal in five after twice coming back from behind. Steve Shaw put Royal Wootton Bassett Town ahead before Jamie Garbutt equalised from the penalty spot. Jeremy Newton put Royal Wootton Bassett town back in front, but Vince McMackin brought Stratton Juniors back level with a header from a Paul Surridge cross. McMackin then fired in the winner with a great strike from just inside the box for his fourth goal of the season.

7 April 2021