The two games that went ahead were both in the South Group, where both Shrewton United and Trowbridge Town played their opening games of the campaign.
Trowbridge Town had met near neighbours Frome Collegians three times since Frome had joined the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League and prior to today’s games had not beaten the Collegians. The two meetings in Season 2019-20 had seen Frome win 2-1 at Trowbridge and then draw 1-1 at the Old Showfield just prior to that season being declared null and void. This season the one meeting between the sides was just prior to lockdown and had seen Frome win 2-0 at Trowbridge. However, Trowbridge have now finally defeated their local rivals after a good performance to kick-off their cup campaign, dominating matters from the start. In a match at Frome’s Old Showfield Ground that kicked-off at 12.30, as a mark of respect to The Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, Alex Pippard set Trowbridge on their way, scoring with a fine header. Nick Taylor then doubled their lead around the half hour mark, notching his fourth goal of the season in Wiltshire Senior League competitions. Two second half strikes from Ciaran Taylor completed a 4-0 win and Trowbridge can now celebrate that first win over the Collegians. Next week sees Frome Collegians travel to Shrewton, with Trowbridge Town home to Corsham Town Reserves.
In another early kick-off, Shrewton entertained Melksham Town Reserves who drew their own opener with Ludgershall Sports last week. In recent times it has been Melksham who have had the better of things against Shrewton, including a 6-0 win earlier in the season in the league. Melksham also went into the game unbeaten in 11 after last week’s 1-1 draw with Ludgershall. A much-improved performance from Shrewton saw them take a 2-0 lead thanks to two goals from Robbie Owen. His first came from a composed finish whilst the second saw him hit a powerful free-kick over the wall past the Melksham keeper. Melksham pulled a goal back through Liam Monelle but Shrewton held out to take the three points and take over the early leadership of the group. Next week Shrewton will host that game with Frome Collegians, whilst Melksham Town Reserves will be the side in the group without a game and will next see action on Saturday 1st May when they host Odd Down Reserves.
Elsewhere Odd Down Reserves warmed up for their first game in the Fountain Trophies Cup next week against Ludgershall Sports with a 3-3 draw against Cribbs FC Reserves.
After the excitement from the return of football last weekend some of the gloss has been taken off the start of the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup, with a number of player eligibility issues arising from four of those opening five fixtures. At a Discipline Meeting on Thursday, it was decided that three clubs had all fielded an ineligible player in their respective fixtures on Saturday and that the result of those games would be overturned, and the points awarded to their opponents given the limited time available in which to play the competition. No fines were imposed for these infringement of rules. The fourth case was less straight forward as the League gave permission for two players to play, but at the time were not in possession of the correct facts regarding their numbers of higher league games played by these players. It was decided that it would be unfair to penalise either club. For these reasons, the fixture will be rearranged with the two players concerned not permitted to take part in the replayed game or future fixtures. Again, no fines were imposed and the cost of the officials for the replayed game will be met by the league. League tables have been amended on Full-Time for these decisions.
These issues have highlighted that the clubs have clearly struggled to raise sides after such a long break and in response to this the Management Committee at the same Discipline Meeting agreed to extend the closing date for player registrations until 30th April to enable those who are struggling to raise a side to sign some more players on. Clubs were advised of this fact on Thursday and have been told to ensure that with any new players signed that they check their eligibility to play, reiterating that if a player has played three games or more (including substitute appearances) at a higher level (e.g: in the Hellenic, Wessex or Western Leagues), then they are not eligible for this cup competition.
Two sides from the North Group, Marlborough Town and Purton, have currently indicated that, for a number of different reasons, they are unable to guarantee they will be able to field competitive teams in the remaining group matches and rather than try and struggle on they will be withdrawing from the competition. However, with the signing extension being proposed we are hoping they might re-consider their decisions to withdraw from the competition.
17 April 2021