Mid Wiltshire Division

Last season Chippenham Town Yard Dogs won just one of their 18 league games and finished bottom of the table. What a transformation this season with Chippenham Town Yard Dogs just behind Mid Wiltshire Division league leaders Melksham Town in both the league table and the current form chart. They were in action last Friday night at Stanley Park and registered a comfortable 8-1 win over bottom side Amesbury Junior Badgers. Leading 6-0 at the break they took their foot off the gas a little in the second period but still managed two more goals with Amesbury also finding the net through Andi Teasdale.  Nicholas Still led the way for Chippenham notching a hat-trick with further Chippenham goals coming from Gary Knowles, Steven Gawke, Gary Clarke, Gino De Antonis and an own goal.

Chippenham Town Yard Dogs were back in action on Tuesday night when they travelled to Devizes to take on a St Andrews side who had done the league double over Chippenham last season. Once again an impressive first half showing which saw Chippenham lead 4-1 at the break as good as secured the points at half time. St Andrews came back into it in the second half but with both sides finding the net in the second period it finished 5-2 to the Yard Dogs. For the Yard Dogs it was two for Ryan Nicholls and one apiece for Gary Knowles, Nicholas Still and Gino De Antonis who all scored for the second consecutive game. The St Andrew goals came courtesy of Steve Jackson and Simon Pickett.

Also on Tuesday night, Amesbury Junior Badgers were invoved in their ninth game of the season and once again they fell to a heavy defeat, this time to visitors Trowbridge Tigers. Four first half goals from Stuart McLachlan and one from Clifford Sakyi saw Tigers lead 5-0 at the break. A further goal from Lee Mattravis after the interval completed a 6-0 win for the Tigers who moved up a couple of places in the table.

The three scheduled games in the Mid Wiltshire Division on Monday night were all postponed.

North Wiltshire Division

Monday night’s game in the North Wiltshire Division was an entertaining game between the two sides who sat second and third in the table. Both Stratton Juniors and Priory Vale went into the game knowing that a win would send them level on points with the divisional leaders ahead of their scheduled game on Wednesday night. The two sides managed to conjure up a high scoring draw as they shared six goals and the points. On target for Priory Vale were Richie Miles, Jamie Williams and Colin Yates with Stratton’s goals coming from their three leading scorers Chris Quinton, Jamie Ashby and Vince McMackin. The sides both moved onto ten points and remained as they were at the start of the night in second and third place.

The following night Cricklade Town picked up their third league win of the season, goals from Ryan Keech (2) and Jamie Richards securing a 3-1 win over Swindon Rovers, Rover’s goal coming early in the second half from Andrew Mark. The win saw Cricklade move up the table to fourth spot although they were to be dislodged from that position after Wednesday night’s game.

The final game of the week saw Redhouse defending the division’s only unbeaten record, with Redhouse having won all four of their opening league games, whilst opponents Royal Wootton Bassett Town were also in-form, coming into the game on the back of four straight wins in league and cup games. It was a cagey affair with the defences on top with the two sides having to settle for a point apiece following a 0-0 draw. Redhouse remain on top of the table, three points clear of the chasing pack, with Royal Wootton Bassett Town joining Priory Vale and Stratton Juniors on ten points in what looks to be developing into a tight title race this season.

3 November 2021