It has been a big week for FC Chippenham as they close in on the top two, Shrivenham and Chippenham Town, in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. On Monday night they entertained New College at Stanley Park and were comfortable 6-0 winners. Louie Lang fired in a hat-trick to become the joint top scorer in the Division along with Shrivenham’s Kai Richardson with nine goals. Further goals from Ben Patey, Josh Gale and Zach Bruce completed the scoring for FC Chippenham. The win on Monday saw them move to within two points of Chippenham Town and five points of leaders Shrivenham with games in hand over both of their nearest rivals ahead of Thursday’s round of matches.

This big win on Monday was followed on Thursday with, what on paper at least, looked to be the most difficult of their remaining three games, a trip to Radstock Town to play a Radstock side that had not been beaten at their Southfields Ground in a home league fixture this season. Radstock had also been in action on Monday night and warmed up for the visit of FC Chippenham by avenging their surprise defeat at Pewsey earlier in the season. On this occasion they ensured there would be no repeat of that result, which remains Pewsey’s only win this season, scoring six times and conceding just the one. On target for Radstock on Monday night, all scoring their first goals of the season, were Oliver Brook with a hat-trick, Oliver Hulbert, Harley Morse and Benji Sims, Nathan Parfitt with the consolation goal for Pewsey. There was to be no second win of the week for Radstock on Thursday night though, as they fell to their first official home defeat of the season against a FC Chippenham side who are now very much looking like the favourites for the league title. Two defensive errors by Radstock gave FC Chippenham two goals and the upper hand. There then followed a bad five minute spell for Radstock which saw FC Chippenham ensure they claimed all three points courtesy of a 5-1 win, with the final score probably not a true reflection of the night’s play. Radstock’s goal was scored by Ben Smith.  The 5 – 1 win for FC Chippenham saw them move to within two points of the top of the table with a game in hand and only two matches to go. Louie Lang was once again amongst the goals to take sole leadership of the top scorer position in the division and there were also goals from Charlie Morgan, Ben Patey, Ollie Crosby-Clarke and Josh Gale.

Chippenham Town finally got to play their final game of the season at Pewsey at the third time of asking and they made sure that they finished their season on a high, hitting five unanswered goals to move joint top of the table with Shrivenham. Dylan Jones netted his ninth of the season, with further goals from Eduardo Silva, Ahmed Jumale, Pele Farnon and Ethan Witchell completing the scoring in the 5-0 win. Despite the final game victory it might not be enough for Chippenham to pick up honours. Shrivenham are currently level with Chippenham Town on 27 points with Shrivenham still having the one game to play, away to Radstock Town on Monday night. A point would see Shrivenham secure at least runners-up spot, but they will want the win to set the highest possible target for FC Chippenham if they are to be beaten to the title. FC Chippenham are two points behind but with those two games to play, away to Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Tuesday and then home to Pewsey Vale on Thursday. Win both games and FC Chippenham will lift the title, if they drop points and Shrivenham win their final game then it will be Shrivenham who take the title.

The final game of the week was at Swindon Supermarine on Thursday night where New College entertained Royal Wootton Bassett Town, with the two sides set to meet again in the return fixture next Thursday. Going into the game New College had suffered a bad run of form, losing all their previous seven games ahead of Thursday night’s encounter, albeit all against top five sides. Visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Town meanwhile were in reasonable form with just two defeats in their last seven. However, form was turned on its head on the night as one of New College’s best performances of the season saw them take all three points thanks to a narrow 3-2 win. Twice New College led only to be pulled back by the visitors thanks to goals from Howard Evans and James Johnson. New College then went ahead again for the third time and this time there was to be no coming back for Royal Wootton Bassett Town as New College secured the win. On target for New College were Ari Filho, with his third of the season, Mason Francis and Obinna Nwoke.

26 May  2021