Mid Wiltshire Division

The big match at the top of the Mid Wiltshire Division between last season’s champions Corsham Town and the potential champions this season Melksham Town took place on Monday night. Melksham Town knew that a win in their final game against Corsham would see them crowned champions irrespective of what happened in Bradford Town’s final game against Chippenham Town Yard Dogs which is scheduled for next Tuesday night. However, things did not go to plan for Melksham as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Corsham. Tom Staddon put Melksham ahead after just four minutes, but Corsham equalised six minutes from time through James Lye from the penalty spot. The point for Melksham leaves them currently two points clear of Bradford Town having completed their fixtures with Bradford Town having that one game to go.  With a discipline charge, due to be heard on 14^th April, Melksham may end up being champions of the division whatever the outcome of Bradford Town’s final game.

Trowbridge Tigers and Amesbury Junior met for the second time in less than a week and early on it looked like the Tigers would avenge the 4-0 defeat they suffered six days earlier as they raced into an early 3-0 lead thanks to two goals from Marc Sheppard and a seventh of the season from Clifford Sakyi. That goal from Sakyi sees him finish as Tigers top scorer for the third consecutive season. Finding themselves 3-0 down Amesbury Junior finally got their act together and pulled one back three minutes from the end of the half through Daniel Field, before Craig Watters reduced the deficit further on the stroke of half time. That momentum continued after the break and four unanswered goals for Amesbury saw them run out 6-3 winners to complete a quickfire double in a game that had been played in a sporting manner throughout, as had been the case six days earlier. Watters completed his hat-trick with two of the second half goals and further strikes from John Cowell and Jon Miller completed the scoring for Amesbury. For Trowbridge Tigers that was their final league game of the season, whilst Amesbury have two to go against Corsham Town and Chippenham Town Yard Dogs. The win for Amesbury means that if they can either win one of their two final games or pick up a couple of draws, they will finish above FC Calne in fifth spot in the table.

On Tuesday night Chippenham Town Yard Dogs and St Andrews met at Green Lane Devizes with just one place and two points separating the sides in the table at the start of the evening. St Andrews were also playing their final league game of the season and knew that nothing less than a win was needed if they were to have any chance of finishing above Chippenham in the table. Unfortunately for St Andrews they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat meaning, after a reasonable start to the season, they ended it with seven defeats in their final eight games to finish in eighth spot in the table. On target for the Yard Dogs were Ryan Nicholls and Gino De Antonis, Jamie Moth replying for St Andrews.

North Wiltshire Division

Two games in the North Wiltshire Division this week and one involved Redhouse who are now the new leaders of the division. On a wet and windy night at the Gerard Buxton Ground two goals from leading scorer Dave Rendle and one from Chris Hughes secured a 3-0 win over South Cerney Rangers and the victory saw Redhouse go top of the table on goal difference from Priory Vale. Next Tuesday sees Redhouse back in action when they take on the third title challenger Royal Wootton Bassett Town. There is just one point separating the three teams at the top with Redhouse having a game in hand, but their two games left are that game next week against Royal Wootton Bassett Town and then a final game against Priory Vale.

On Tuesday night Cricklade Town continued their recent good form that had seen them win six of their last seven games ahead of their return fixture with Swindon Rovers. Cricklade won the first meeting between the sides 3-1 and went one better on Tuesday night securing a 4-1 win thanks to a hat-trick from Matt Richards and one from Darren Swaddon. Cricklade finished their fixtures next week when they play South Cerney Rangers.

7 April 2022