Mid Wiltshire Division

With just the one scheduled game next week, this week saw the majority of the Veteran’s sides playing their last game of what has been a difficult 2021. Once again, the year ends with Covid-19 causing games to be postponed and it is to be hoped that the New Year will see some respite from this dreaded virus. Three games went ahead in the Mid Wiltshire Division and with a waterlogged pitch causing the postponement of the league leaders Melksham Town’s game it meant the two sides just behind them in the table had the chance to close the gap at the top.

On Monday night Bradford Town entertained FC Calne with the chance of moving second in the table at least for one night. They made no mistake securing a 4-0 win with the division’s two leading scorers Rhys Schell and Steve Tweddle both once again amongst the goals, further goals from Nicholas Ross and Ricky Trott completed the win to send Bradford Town temporarily second in the table.

Bradford Town’s stay in second spot lasted only for 24 hours as the following night Corsham Town moved back above them with a comprehensive 11-0 victory over bottom of the table Amesbury Junior Badgers. There were hat-tricks for both Jonathan Scott and Liam Ralph, Simon Gray bagged a brace and there was one apiece for Stuart Skinner, Paul Douglass and Adam Taylor in Corsham’s big win that saw last season’s title winners move to within eight points of Melksham Town but having played one more game. Bradford Town are a point behind Corsham with three games in hand of them and two games in hand over Melksham Town and remain Melksham’s main threat to the league title this season.

The third game played this week in the Mid Wiltshire Division was at Green Lane where St Andrews were up against Amesbury Junior. The two games last season between the sides had both finished all square and another close contest was anticipated. St Andrews led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Dominic Shepherd and a first of the season from Neil Grant but two late goals for Amesbury from leading scorer Craig Watters and Glen Martin saved a point for Amesbury as the trend of drawn games between the two sides continued.

Update 21-12-2021

Melksham Town made in 11 straight wins in the Mid Wiltshire Division with victory against St Andrews on Monday night in the one Veterans' game played in Christmas week.  In the end it was a comfortable 5-0 win with the goals being shared around the team with one apiece for Simon Charity, Tom Staddon, Rob Cousins, Adam Gingell and substitute Ash Groves. St Andrews could easily have taken the lead early on but were denied by a brilliant save from goalkeeper Nick Evans. Evans went on to ensure he kept a clean sheet for the ninth consecutive game, a fantastic record at any level of football and Melksham have conceded just three goals all season in 11 league games and one cup game. The win for Melksham saw them open up an 11 point lead at the top of the division although Bradford Town have three games in hand with the two teams yet to meet this season.

North Wiltshire Division

Just two games took place in the North Wiltshire Division with Monday night's game between Redhouse and Stratton Juniors being postponed.

Action in the North Division saw divisional leaders Royal Wootton Bassett Town looking to open up a gap at the top of the table when they met bottom side AFC Swindon still looking to for their first point in the league. After several missed chances player manager Martin Ohrland put the league leaders ahead with a left foot shot from 30 yards out. It was not all one-way traffic through as Royal Wootton Bassett Town keeper George Boys-Stones just held onto a shot from the edge of the box to maintain his sides lead. Royal Wootton Bassett Town extended that lead before the break when a ball through the middle cut open the AFC Swindon defence finding Chris Head who slid the ball under the keeper for 2-0. Second half saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town continue to press for more goals but a combination of some stoic defending and wasted chances saw the leaders struggle to extend their lead. They hit the crossbar from a free kick but did eventually find the net again, Ohrland finding Chris Head with another defence splitting ball and Head rounded the keeper and slotted it home for 3-0. It looked like Head would then complete a hat-trick, but his goal bound effort was punched away by an AFC Swindon defender, Ben Gould put it into the net but the referee had already blown for a penalty and sent the AFC Swindon defender off. Gould was not to be denied his goal though as he took the resulting penalty to score his seventh of the season to become his sides leading scorer. The 4-0 win saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town go three points clear at the top of the table but having played three games more than Redhouse who are six points behind and one more than Prior Vale who are three points behind the leaders. Your Sport Swindon were at the game and subscribers can view the highlights by clicking on the link below or on the link from the Your Sport Swindon page of our website. Royal W.Bassett Town  v AFC Swindon link.

The other game in the North Wiltshire Division was at the Gerard Buxton Ground on Wednesday night when Swindon Rovers met Swindon Old Boys. It finished honours even with both sides scoring twice, on target for Swindon Old Boys were Ryan Mason, with his seventh of the season, and a third of the season from Martyn Roberts, Mark Simpkins with his eighth of the season and a powerful free kick from Neil Feline replying for Swindon Rovers. The point for Swindon Old Boys lifted them one place in the table to fifth spot.

Finally, with only one fixture yet to be played next week in the Mid Wiltshire Division, we would like to thank all Club Secretaries and Team Managers for their help and co-operation in the season so far. We hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and that Covid allows us to have a better 2022.

17 December 2021