Three of the four scheduled fixtures in the final round of games in 2021 went ahead on Thursday night including the big clash at the top of the table between Melksham Town and Devizes Town. When the sides had met at Devizes earlier in the season Devizes had won comfortably 5-0. However, since that defeat Melksham had gone on a run that had seen them win five games in a row, including becoming the only side to defeat Royal Wootton Bassett Town so far, to very much take themselves into the title race. In an even first half, which saw both sides play some neat football, the division’s leading scorer Jack Smith scored the first goal of the game to put Devizes 1-0 up, but Melksham were back on level terms before half time through Archie Haggerty with his fifth goal of the season. The second half saw Melksham start to dominate and Cameron Pearce put them ahead for the first time in the game, also notching his fifth of the season for the Under 18 side. Melksham then had a series of glorious chances to extend their lead, but they failed to take any of the chances that came their way and were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal when Devizes broke away and Caleb Hollow equalised on 72 minutes. Just as it looked like the two sides would have to settle for a point apiece another rare second half attack from Devizes saw Smith net his second of the game and his 13^th of the season to break Melksham hearts and snatch all three points for his side. The win for Devizes saw them move to within three points of Melksham but crucially with two games in hand. For Melksham this defeat could prove costly in their quest for honours as they now just have two games left against Radstock Town and AFC Aldermaston and the two chasing sides are now both one win away from them.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town were looking to keep their title challenge on track when they met Radstock Town at the Gerard Buxton Ground. When the sides had met earlier in the season Royal Wootton Bassett Town had completed a 3-0 win and repeated that score line in the return match. They went ahead on 11 minutes when a low shot from James Johnson from the edge of the box deceived Radstock keeper Lucas Purnell and nestled into the corner of the net. The home side went close to extending their lead on 26 minutes when Joey Warren shot just wide after a neat one-two down the right-hand flank. Just after the half hour mark Warren slid the ball through to Johnson on the edge of the box but his powerful shot went just over the bar. However, he was not to be denied a second for very long, another low shot from the edge of the box this time was placed in the opposite corner of the net to make it 2-0 to the home side. After the break the home side continued to dominate the possession and Alex Stephenson went close on 52 minutes but was denied by an excellent save from Purnell. There was little Purnell could do three minutes later when he was again beaten by an accurate shot from the edge of the box into the far corner of the net, Flynn Walters the scorer firing in after a fine solo run. Purnell in the Radstock goal then pulled off a great save from a Kevin Prouse effort to keep his side in the game. Radstock went close to pulling one back just after the hour mark, after a quick long throw down the left-hand side put Ollie Brook in the clear, but he was unable to make a proper connection and his shot went straight to the Royal Wootton Bassett Town keeper Louis Smith. At the other end Purnell continued to prevent any further goals with another good save this time with his feet to deny Kieran Legg a goal, with Alex Stephenson firing the rebound over the bar. In the end a comfortable win for the home side although the visitors played some neat football at times but were unable to unlock a disciplined home defence on the night.

The third game that took place on Thursday night saw New College Swindon host Calne Town in a battle between the two sides at the bottom of the table. This was the return game to the opening game of the season that had been cut short due to an injury to a New College player causing the game to be ended early. Calne Town had led 4-1 at the time and both teams had agreed the result should stand with the game in its closing stages. Thankfully the return was less eventful, but it was a much closer encounter this time round as Calne Town eventually edged it by the odd goal in five to complete a league double over New College and move level on points with them. Harrison Dunsden was once again amongst the goals for Calne, scoring his seventh of the season, with Joe Law and Luke van de Burght the other Calne scorers, Lewis Newcombe with both of the New College goals.

17 December 2021