Mid Wiltshire Division
The big game on Monday night in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division was at Bulford Army Camp where Melksham Town were Amesbury Junior’s visitors. The two sides started the night as joint leaders of the division having won all four of their opening games ahead of their encounter. Melksham Town had done the double over Amesbury last season but Amesbury had strengthened during the short summer break and had made a great start to the current season, However, their great 100% winning record was brought to an end by Melksham on Monday and it was a familiar figure that did the damage, last season’s top scorer in the Veterans’ Divisions Charlie Griffin helping himself to a hat-trick in Melksham’s 4-0 win, Kai Miller with the other goal for Melksham. The win lifted Melksham three points clear at the top of the table as Darren Perrin’s side became the only team to maintain a 100% winning record in the Mid Wiltshire Division.
The same night there was an entertaining game played at Melksham’s ground, with Chippenham Town Yard Dogs hosting Devizes Town at the InfiLED. Devizes had done a league double over the Yard Dogs last season but the Yard Dogs are a much improved side this season and at half time on Monday night they led 2-0 thanks to goals from Ryan Nicholls and Gino De Antonis. Just as it looked like Chippenham would win for the second consecutive game two late Devizes goals ensured the points were shared, last season’s leading scorer Nick Oram got Devizes back into the game ten minutes from time and then an equaliser four minutes from time from Jonathan Couch saw the game finish all square at 2-2.
The third game on Monday night was at MOD Lyneham and home side FC Calne picked up their second win of the season with a 4-1 triumph over Trowbridge Tigers to maintain their 100% record against the Tigers. Adam O’Keeffe helped himself to a hat-trick and a fourth from Gary Whitney ensured it was FC Calne that took all three points, player-manager Tim Brown replying for the Tigers.
The following night the two sides who were still looking for their first points of the season met at Green Lane Devizes and in a close contest St Andrews edged it by the odd goal in five against Amesbury Junior Badgers. On target for St Andrews were Oli Howe, Dom Shepherd and Jack Heard, whilst the scorers for the unlucky Badgers who put in their best performance of the season so far were Jon Miller with his second of the season and Jonathan Yeoman.
The final game of the week in the Mid Wiltshire Division was on Thursday night at Bradford Town where Corsham Town were the visitors. Corsham had the chance to go second in the table with a win, but Bradford had not read that script, the home side scoring the only goal of the game through leading scorer Rhys Schell, with his fourth of the season, to take all three points with their second league win of the season.
North Wiltshire Division
There were just two games in the North Wiltshire Division this week. On Tuesday night at New College Priory Vale picked up their third win of the season to go level on points at the top of the table with Stratton Juniors ahead of Stratton’s game the following night. Priory Vale’s latest win came at the expense of Cricklade Town, 3-1 the final score. Richie Miles bagged a brace for Priory Vale, Ian Carr with the other goal, Mike Solan with reply for Cricklade who were level at the break but two second half goals secured the three points for Priory Vale.
The second game of the week in the North Wiltshire Division was at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground where league leaders Stratton Juniors were Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s visitors. Games between the two sides have historically been close run affairs and this one was no different. Jamie Ashby put the league leaders Stratton ahead with a goal against the run of play, but Brady Lilley restored parity with a goal for Royal Wootton Bassett Town just before the interval. It remained all square until a couple of minutes from time when Dan Badman hit a winner for Royal Wootton Bassett Town bringing an end Stratton’s 100% winning record in the league. Despite the defeat Stratton remain top of the table on goal difference from Priory Vale.
Wiltshire FA Veterans' County Cup
The Wiltshire FA have made the draw for the quarter finals of the Veterans' County Cup and it is as follows:
Amesbury Junior Badgers v Redhouse (9/11/2021)
Bradford Town v Swindon Old Boys (8/11/2021)
Devizes Town v Melksham Town (8/11/2021)
Royal Wootton Bassett Town v Trowbridge Tigers (9/11/2021)
14 October 2021