Mid Wiltshire Division

Once again there was a curtailed programme in the Veterans’ divisions this week with just two games being played in each division but a couple of the games had great importance at the top of each division.

The action in the Mid Wiltshire Division commenced on Monday night at Green Lane, Devizes where Devizes Town met Trowbridge Tigers. Devizes had won all four previous encounters with Tigers ahead of Monday’s fixture, those four wins including a 2-0 success at the end of last month. That winning run for Devizes continued on Monday night as a hat-trick from player-manager Craig Townsend and an own goal secured a 4-1 win for Devizes, Clifford Sakyi with the Trowbridge goal. The score line was harsh on Trowbridge who were in the game for a sustained period of time. Trailing 1-0 at the break they continued to be in the match during the second half but were caught out with a couple of late goals as they tried to get themselves back in the game. The win for Devizes saw them climb above Corsham Town into third spot in the table and the three goals for Townsend took his total for the season to 17.

The big match in the Mid Wiltshire Division was on Tuesday night, again at Green Lane, when the top two met in a game that would almost certainly have a big say in the ultimate destination of the league title this season. Melksham Town led the division six points clear of opponents Bradford Town ahead of the game, with Bradford having a game in hand and the two sides having an identical goal difference. Both of the two previous meetings between the sides had been close run affairs with Melksham edging both games by the odd goal in three. It was another close-run thing on Tuesday night and, with both sides having a player dismissed, it was also a fiery encounter, Bradford Town’s Marek Miszta and Melksham’s Wayne Wheeler both seeing red. It was also one apiece when it came to goals with Nicholas Ross, with his fifth of the season, netting for Bradford Town, and Simon Charity getting the Melksham goal as it finished honours even and the points shared. Melksham now have three games to go and, whilst still six points clear, may still need to take seven points from those three games against Corsham Town, Devizes Town and Trowbridge Tigers to make certain of the title as Bradford have that game in hand and with bottom side Amesbury Junior Badgers still to play are likely to have a better goal difference come the end of the season should they win all of their remaining games. Bradford Town’s other three games are against Amesbury Juniors, Chippenham Town Yard Dogs and Devizes Town.

North Wiltshire Division

The action in the North Division commenced on Tuesday night at New College, Swindon with Stratton Juniors up against South Cerney Rangers. Goals from Jamie Ashby and Peter Byrne secured a 2-0 win for Stratton which saw them climb a couple of places in the table to fifth spot.

The following night Redhouse kept their title challenge on track with a 3-0 win over Swindon Old Boys. Redhouse took the lead through Chris Hughes, the ball falling to him after Old Boys keeper failed to hold a shot giving Hughes a simple tap in for 1-0. Redhouse doubled their lead when a ball over the top saw Tafari Anderson get behind the Swindon Old Boys defence, he beat one recovering defender before slotting the ball past the keeper for 2-0. Leading scorer Dave Rendle then made sure of the points in the second half, side footing into the net from the edge of the box after neat set up play for his 19^th of the season. Swindon Old Boys went close to getting a consolation goal, but Redhouse keeper Stewart Thompson tipped a shot from the edge of box over the bar to maintain a clean sheet for his side. The win saw Redhouse move two points behind second placed Royal Wootton Bassett Town and three behind leaders Priory Vale, with Redhouse having two games in hand on both of the top two sides. Redhouse meet South Cerney Rangers next week and a win next Wednesday would send them top of the table on goal difference. Priory Vale then have the chance to regain the lead ahead of the big crunch match between the two at the end of the month. Your Sport Swindon were at the game and the highlights can be viewed by subscribers by clicking on the link below or from the link on the Your Sport Swindon page on the league website.

3 March 2022