There were three games this week in the Under 18 cup competition. Monday night saw AFC Aldermaston looking to avoid defeat against Royal Wootton Bassett Town to secure their place as the representative from Group A in the cup final. A win for Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Monday would have seen them pip AFC Aldermaston if they could then also defeat New College Swindon in their final game. A goal from Adam Keating in the first ten minutes and a second from Michael Simpson five minutes of time seemingly to seal all three points, meant it looked like AFC Aldermaston would continue their habit in the cup of winning games with late goals. However, a late rally from Royal Wootton Bassett Town saw them score twice in the closing minutes of the match through Jowan Partridge and Kevin Prouse, but the visitors were unable to find a third and the draw was enough to send AFC Aldermaston through to the cup final. Well done to Adam Page and his players on making the final.

AFC Aldermaston’s opponents in the final will be either league champions Devizes Town or Radstock Town after they both picked up hard fought wins against Pewsey Vale and Melksham Town respectively.  At Radstock Town the home side saw themselves down to ten men and trailing 2-0 to goals from Melksham Town’s Reuban Rule and Kegan Smart but two goals from Ollie Thomas and one from Leo Miller saw Radstock achieve a come from behind win and maintain their chance of making the final. Radstock will go level at the top of the group with Devizes Town if they win their game in hand next week against Pewsey Vale.

Devizes Town were at home to Pewsey Vale on Thursday night and captain Joseph Muir gave them a 1-0 half time lead. The visitors got themselves back on level terms after the break, Ben England firing in his sixth goal of the season. Just as it looked as though Devizes would be held to a draw for the second consecutive game, Jack Smith produced a great finish after being put through one-on-one with the keeper. The late goal from Smith was his 16^th of the season and saw him move level with his teammate Caleb Hollow at the top of the goal scoring chart. Devizes now have two games against Radstock to complete their group games and these two fixtures will decide who joins AFC Aldermaston in the final.

Both games on Thursday night were blighted by reports of misbehaviour, although it must be stressed not amongst any of the players during the games. Hopefully this will prove to be a one off and not spoil what has been a competitive and enjoyable Under 18 league and cup competition this season.

9 April 2022