Cricklade Town with the Vets' League Cup Trophy after their narrow 3-2 win (picture courtesy of Brian Busson)

The 2021-22 Season was finally brought to an end on Wednesday night with two games in the space of three days in the Veterans’ League Cup. On Monday night Swindon Rovers booked their place in Wednesday’s cup final but it was a close-run thing. Like fellow finalists Cricklade Town, Rovers required a penalty shootout against FC Calne to make it through to the final. Trailing 1-0 at the break to an Adam O’Keefe penalty, second half goals from leading scorer Mark Simpkins, who moved into 13 for the season, and a first of the season for Mike Spotswood, with FC Calne’s O’Keefe getting a second goal in reply, meant penalties were once again needed to decide matters. O’Keefe’s two goals saw him move onto an impressive tally of 24 for the season. In the penalty shootout, on target for Swindon Rovers from the spot were Lee Holland, Neil Feline, Mark Simpkins, Dean Mason and Leon Hills as they ran out 5-4 winners to secure that place in Wednesday’s final.

The final on Wednesday night was at New College Swindon with an earlier than normal kick-off which allowed for the possibility of extra-time and that time was indeed needed in the end. It was Swindon Rovers who struck first, Mark Simpkins scoring his 14th of the season to put his side ahead. Cricklade were back on level terms by the break, leading scorer Ryan Keech finding the net with his 23^rd goal of the campaign.  

Cricklade went ahead for the first time in the game almost immediately after half time, Adam Smith firing in from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 to Cricklade. Cricklade continued to have the better of things and had claims for a penalty late on in the game. However, the appeals were waved away by referee Chris Harris and in the dying moments of the half Swindon Rovers broke and Neil Feline equalised as it finished 2-2 at the end of normal time. Neither side was able to find the net in the first period of extra-time but the second period saw Ryan Keech notch his second of the game and 24^th of the season, and the goal proved to be the winner as Cricklade saw out the remaining time to secure a narrow 3-2 win and become the first winners of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Veterans’ Cup. The Cup was presented to the winning side along with mementos to players from both sides by League Registration Secretary Brian Busson. Congratulations to Cricklade Town on their win and well done also to Swindon Rovers on making the final and going close to lifting the cup.

Swindon Rovers and Cricklade Town teams and match officials ahead of the 2021-22 Vets' League Cup Final (pictures courtesy of Brian Busson)

The game brought the 2021-22 Season to an end in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League in what has been a very successful season. After the two previous Covid impacted seasons, this season saw all league competitions completed and cups run in both the U18 and Veterans’ divisions. Thoughts now turn to the League AGM which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 22^nd June.

Action from Cricklade Town's 3-2 win over Swindon Rovers (pictures courtesy of Brian Busson)

9 June 2022