Wiltshire Senior League

Corsham Print

Wiltshire Senior League

Veterans' Round-up

Melksham Town & Corsham Town make

County Cup Final

Action from VFC Devizes v Corsham Town last night (picture courtesy of David Giles)

Monday night saw the two semi-finals in the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup and, as was expected with four of the top sides in the Veterans’ Divisions contesting a place in the final, two close games resulted with just the one goal in total being scored in the two games.

At the InfiLED Melksham Town, current leaders on goal difference in the Mid Wiltshire Division, entertained KMLC from the North Division whose only defeat of the season so far had come against Redhouse, a side Melksham had beaten in the last round of the Veterans’ County Cup. On Monday Melksham dominated possession for much of the first half but their normally prolific strike force were unable to take any of the chances that came their way. Melksham twice hit the woodwork and found KMLC keeper Jason Knight in top form, but it was not all one way as KMLC went close just after half time to breaking the deadlock, Paul Cooper with that chance. Melksham are the equal top scorers in the Mid Wiltshire Division, whilst KMLC have the highest goals per game ratio in the two Divisions but there was to be no goals in normal time in this tense semi-final meaning penalties were needed to decide who progressed to the final. Melksham scored all four of their spot kicks but KMLC hit the bar with one of theirs before Melksham’s Nick Evans pulled off a great save with their fourth to ensure it was Melksham who progressed to the final courtesy of a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win.

As with the game at Melksham it was a tight affair at Green Lane between VFC Devizes and Corsham Town. Once again the two sides turned round at the break with the game still looking for a goal. The deadlock was finally broken in the second half when Simon Gray, who is certainly enjoying this season’s County Cup competition, netted with his fifth goal in this season’s cup campaign and his 14^th of the season in total. The goal was to be the only one of the game meaning it is Corsham Town who will meet Melksham Town in the final of the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup at Green Lane, Devizes on Friday 11^th June.

Further action from VFC Devizes v Corsham Town (pictures courtesy of David Giles)

More of David Giles' excellent photos from this game can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

The league action in the Mid Wiltshire Division on Monday saw FC Calne returning to winning ways after three defeats with a 6-1 away win against bottom of the table Chippenham Yard Dogs at Stanley Park. Both Ben Trafford and Dan Allison bagged a brace and there were further goals from Stuart Ballinger and from Neurin Jones on his debut. The Yard Dogs goal came through Neil Edwards who scored for the second consecutive game for the Chippenham side.

The following night the top match in the Mid Wiltshire Division this week saw Marlborough Town host Bradford Town. When the two sides had met earlier in the season Bradford had run out comfortable 5-1 winners but there was to be no repeat of that score on Tuesday night as Marlborough avenged the earlier defeat. Two goals from Richard Clark plus one for leading score Craig Wall secured a 3-1 win for Marlborough, Sam Gooding with his fifth of the season for Bradford Town.

Stratton Juniors met AFC Swindon at Meadowcroft on Tuesday night in the North Division knowing that if they won and Redhouse slipped up in the later game that night they would be top of the table. Stratton certainly did what they needed to do hitting seven unanswered goals against their opponents. Jamie Ashby led the way with a hat-trick taking his total for the season to seven but with two goals of his own, Vince McMackin remained top of the Stratton goal scorers’ chart as he took his personal total for the season to eight. Neil Tonner scored his second of the season, but the goal of the game was scored by Matthew Bugden, an ever present for Stratton this season, who dribbled the length of the pitch from defence to score his first goal for Stratton in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League.

The 7-0 win over AFC Swindon sent Stratton top of the table just as Redhouse kicked-off their game against Royal Wootton Bassett Town at New College. Stratton’s stay at the top did not last to the end of the evening, as Redhouse made sure they returned back the summit with 4-0 win. On target for Redhouse were James Aghabi, Mikey Lichota, Chris Hughes and a first of the season for Barry Winslow. Next up for Redhouse is a game against KMLC on Tuesday 8^th June which could well end up being a title deciding match in the North Division. Before that Redhouse will be hoping that Stratton Juniors can do them a favour by taking points off KMLC in the game at New College next Tuesday in what will be Stratton’s penultimate game of the season.