The Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League has been an exciting contest with the title race going to the last game of the season. At one stage after the restart in April five or six teams still had potential title aspirations but eventually it developed into a three-team contest for the honours with Shrivenham, Chippenham Town and FC Chippenham battling out for the winners and runners-up positions. Chippenham Town had finished their fixtures last week level on points at the top with Shrivenham with FC Chippenham two points behind but with two games to go to just one for Shrivenham.

Shrivenham played their final game of the season on Monday night with a difficult looking trip to play a Radstock Town side who have had another decent season and who have been difficult to beat on their own patch. A close game was anticipated, and it certainly proved to be that way. Radstock had the better of things in the opening half but found themselves trailing at the break to an unfortunate own goal. A back pass from a Radstock defender eluded the goalkeeper who had come out of his area and despite his attempts to prevent the ball going into the net he just failed to stop the ball crossing the line. Whilst there were good chances at both end it was just the one goal that separated the sides at the break.

The second half continued to see both sides create scoring opportunities and from one such chance Shrivenham extended their lead. A solo run from Tyger Hall saw him fire in a shot which may well have gone in but with a Radstock defender looking to try and clear Kieran Sutton made sure the ball ended up in the back of the net. Hall was not to be denied though, finishing off a good move down the Shrivenham right flank to make it 3-0. Radstock pulled one back and it was the best goal of the game, Freddie Blacker lobbing Shrivenham keeper Matt Goldsmith with a powerful shot from 25 yards. Both sides continued to create opportunities and Shrivenham thought they had extended their lead when Tyger Hall had the ball in the back of the net, but a referees’ assistant’s flag saw the goal disallowed. Hall went close again, and he should really have done better when presented with an open goal from a cross from the right, his shot going over the bar. Radstock also had chances at the other end but it ended 3-1 to Shrivenham, who knew they had set FC Chippenham the highest possible target if they were to take the title. The situation for FC Chippenham was that they now knew they had to win both their last two games against Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Pewsey Vale if they were to deny Shrivenham the league title. Highlights of the Radstock v Shrivenham game can be viewed on Your Sport Swindon by clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page on the league website.

So, to Tuesday night and FC Chippenham’s game against Royal Wootton Bassett Town. It did not start well for FC Chippenham as they found themselves trailing to a Charlie Stammers goal. Charlie Morgan brought them back on level terms but Seb Smith restored the lead for the home side with a header from twelve yards from a corner. It got worse for FC Chippenham as Tom Warren then gave Royal Wootton Bassett Town a two-goal advantage as he made it 3-1. FC Chippenham responded to this set back and Josh Gale pulled one back as the home side's defence failed to deal with a cross into the box and FC Chippenham went into the break trailing 3-2 with the title aspirations under threat.

After the interval FC Chippenham sought to get themselves back on level terms but it remained 3-2 to the home side until five minutes from time. Their lifeline came when they were awarded what the home side considered to be a harsh penalty. Jack Brain fired in the spot kick to level matters up and it was the same player who then put the visitors ahead for the first time in the game with his fifth goal of the season with a stunning free kick into the far top corner of the net. Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s Adam Jones was unfortunate to be shown a red card and with his side down to ten men and so little time remaining there was to be no coming back as FC Chippenham ensured they left the Gerard Buxton Ground with all three points and with one hand on the U18 Division title.

FC Chippenham entertain bottom side Pewsey Vale on Thursday night knowing that a victory will see them crowned champions. With Pewsey having won just the one game all season FC Chippenham will start as favourites, but Pewsey could still rise to the occasion and take points off FC Chippenham, especially if nerves get the better of the title favourites. Having sat top of the table last season when Covid-19 curtailed the 2019-20 Season,  and having won their last six games to get to this stage, FC Chippenham  will be keen to make sure this title triumph does not slip through their grasp. Royal Wootton Bassett Town filmed the game on Tuesday night and the highlights are available on the Your Sport Swindon site by either clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page on the league website.

Next Season

With the Under 18 Division finally concluding this Thursday and with the AGM just three weeks away, thoughts now turn to next season. The Under 18 Division is set to be joined by two new sides for next season, with both Calne Town and Devizes Town set to re-enter Under 18 sides. With the anticipation that the existing eight sides will again compete this will give a division of 10 sides but there is still the opportunity for new sides to join but they need to get in touch with the league fairly quickly with the AGM coming up. Any interested sides should contact the League Secretary Jim Thorn at jim.thorn@wiltshireseniorleague.co.uk.

In addition, the league has canvassed the current Under 18 clubs as to whether there is any interest in an Under 20s Division in addition to the Under 18s. With the current U18s having had two very interrupted seasons and the lack of playing time means that some may not be ready to move up into senior football. Rather than risk losing some of these to football, an U20s Division would give them the chance to play for another two seasons against players of their own age and develop further. If sufficient clubs are interested (say six), then we will run it. If an U20s Division was to run, fixtures could either be midweek or Saturdays, depending on what clubs prefer and having regard to facility availability. A further suggestion for the U20s Division, is that we permit, say three over age players. Again, if this is what clubs want, we will allow it and it could become an opportunity for Development teams to join.

Results



Monday 31st May 2021

Radstock Town 1 Shrivenham 3

Tuesday 1st June 2021

Royal Wootton Bassett Town 3 FC Chippenham 4

2 June  2021