Wiltshire Senior League

Corsham Print

Wiltshire Senior League

Veterans' Round-up

Corsham Town & KMLC

Almost There

Corsham Town celebrate Stuart Skinner's goal which takes them a big step closer to securing the Mid Wiltshire Division title

(picture courtesy of David Giles)

Tuesday 6^th July 2021 will be remembered by Italians as the day they beat Spain on penalties to make the final of the Euros, whilst for Corsham Town Vets and KMLC Vets it will be remembered as the day they put one hand on their respective divisional titles with one game to go (and also the day before England also made the final of the Euros).

Green Lane Devizes was the venue for the game between Corsham Town and VFC Devizes, which whilst not quite a shootout for the title, was pretty close to being just that. A win for either side would put them in the driving seat to lift the Mid Wiltshire Divisional title. The sides were meeting for the third time this season and the previous two games had been close affairs. In the first league meeting back in early November the two sides had shared two goals and the points, this game had been the last time that Corsham had not tasted victory in the league, having won all their subsequent league matches since that evening. The two sides had then met again at the end of May in the Wiltshire Veterans’ County Cup and a solitary goal from Simon Gray had seen Corsham Town make the final. The latest meeting had all the potential of being yet another close encounter and so it proved.

With so much residing on the game it could have made for a stand-off approach from both sides but both teams went at it from the off in what Corsham manager Chris Jones described as “a fantastic advert for Vets football with quality nicely intermixed with commitment and aggression”. The first half saw Corsham edge possession and attempts on goal but despite this greater possession the best chance of the half fell to Devizes on a breakaway, with their pacey forward line almost creating a goal which was only thwarted by some last gasp defending.

Devizes started brighter after the break which forced Corsham to juggle their centre midfield three to provide better protection to the back line. This coincided with the introduction of Stuart Skinner, whose skilful approach gave the Devizes defence a different challenge to the more direct, physical and quick Simon Gray. This change paid dividends as Corsham stepped up their game and began to gain control. With twelve minutes remaining a recycled corner saw the ball return to corner taker James Lye on the left who crossed to Russell Lodge at the back post. Lodge’s header back across found the unmarked Skinner who neatly headed in from close range to put Corsham ahead.

Devizes upped the intensity after going behind but were unable to create any clear-cut chances due to some disciplined defending from the Corsham side. It was Corsham who then had the best chance in the final minutes when a well worked passing move down the left came infield to just inside the box which saw Skinner nicely lay off to Lye whose goal bound shot was deflected onto the bar. The game ended 1-0 to Corsham who now need just a point from their final game against Marlborough Town to lift the title. If Corsham were to lose their final league game, something they have not done since the first game of the season, it would still need Devizes to rack up two big wins in their final two games against St Andrews to take the title, with Corsham’s goal difference currently being +15 better than that of VFC Devizes. VFC Devizes will also still need to win both of their remaining fixtures if they are to secure runners-up spot and will also need to improve their goal difference.

Further action from VFC Devizes v Corsham Town

(pictures courtesy of David Giles)

More excellent pictures taken by David Giles from the VFC Devizes v Corsham Town game can be viewed on the League Facebook page.

The same evening in Swindon, KMLC went into their meeting with Royal Wootton Bassett Town knowing they needed to win to keep Redhouse at bay in the title race in the North Division. Their previous meeting with Royal Wootton Bassett Town was just a fortnight ago and that night it needed a late penalty from Ian Fawkes to settle matters in KMLC’s favour. Once again Royal Wootton Bassett Town made it difficult for KMLC in the return fixture but for a second time this season against the title favourites they fell to late goals. Once again the player that inflicted the damage was Fawkes, the KMLC player scoring twice in the last five minutes to give his side the three points and give them a four point lead at the top of the table over Redhouse.

Both KMLC and Redhouse have Swindon Rovers still to play and Redhouse then have one further game against an AFC Swindon side still looking for their first points of the season. Redhouse play both their two games before KMLC see action again and even if they win both it will not be enough to pip KMLC if KMLC then defeat Swindon Rovers in the final fixture of the season in the North Division.

There were two further games in the Mid Wiltshire Division on Monday night with wins for both Bradford Town and Marlborough Town. A hat-trick from Sam Gooding plus one from David Percival secured a 4-2 win for Bradford Town over St Andrews, Jack Heard and Steve Jackson from the penalty spot replying for the visitors. Bradford Town remain in fourth spot but could still be overtaken by Marlborough Town who picked up all three points in their game against bottom of the table Chippenham Town Yard Dogs, Rich Clark scoring twice in a 3-0 win, George Flippance with the other Marlborough Town goal.