Just one game survived the wet weather in the Under 18 Floodlight Division this week, that game being the match at the Sustain Stadium between second in the table Royal Wootton Bassett Town and bottom side AFC Aldermaston who had won just one of their opening seven games, losing the other six. The form book would have suggested a comfortable night for the home side, but it was anything but for Nick Warren’s side in an entertaining game. Right from the start AFC Aldermaston matched the home side stride for stride and were much the better side in the opening half. They went 1-0 up just after the half hour mark when Freddie Stewart pounced on an error in the six-yard box by Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s Charlie Stammers, Stammers failing to clear the ball enabling Stewart to fire Aldermaston in front. They went close to extending their lead a minute before half-time, Oscar Kirby firing in a powerful shot which was well saved with his feet by Jack Rae in the Royal Wootton Bassett Town goal and it remained just the one goal at the break.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town upped their game in the second half and went close to getting back on level terms ten minutes into the second half when Flynn Walters saw his shot deflected onto the post and out for a corner. They eventually did get themselves back in the game on the hour mark, a misplaced shot from Rhys Westlake fell to Euan Spackman who put it away for 1-1. The home side then went in front for the first time ten minutes later, a dangerous cross from the right by Charlie Stammers to the far post saw Flynn Walters stretch to get on the end of it, which he succeeded in doing, keeping the ball in play putting it into the six-yard box, where Jacob Rendell-Haines had a simple tap in for 2-1.

They did not hold the lead for long though. Aldermaston were awarded a free kick 25-yards out in a central position and Oscar Kirby smashed the free kick into the top corner of the net to make it 2-2 with 15 minutes to go. Royal Wootton Bassett Town knew they could not really afford to drop many more points in their quest for the title and immediately sought to respond, Euan Spackman firing a shot just over the bar within a minute of Aldermaston’s goal. As the game went into its final ten minutes it looked like the sides would have to settle for a point apiece, but Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s Rhys Westlake had other ideas. With seven minutes to go the ball was fed into his feet on the edge of the Aldermaston box and he turned his defender and slotted the ball past Aldermaston’s keeper into the far bottom corner of the net for 3-2. Aldermaston once again sought to get back on level terms but in pushing players forward were caught on the counterattack just two minutes after falling behind. A ball out of defence saw Flynn Walters pick the ball up on the halfway line and run past a couple of defenders with Westlake joining him to make it two-against one as the Aldermaston keeper came out, Walters unselfishly slid the ball across to Westlake who had an open goal in front of him and put it away for 4-2 and secure all three points for the home side. Royal Wootton Bassett certainly knew they had been involved in a tough game and if Aldermaston continue to play like they did that second win of the season cannot be too far away.

Cup Rule Reminder

The two postponed First Round cup games due to waterlogged pitches are both scheduled for next week. All four sides involved in the two ties are reminded that Cup Rule 20 (A) states that:

“If a tie has been postponed on two occasions due to pitch conditions, then the tie is to be reversed and played on the ground of the Club that was originally drawn away. If the original home Club believe there are extenuating circumstances as to why the tie should not be reversed, then an Appeal may be lodged with the Hon General Secretary within 48 hours of the second postponement.”

Under 18 Fixtures

Fixtures to the end of the season in the Under 18 Floodlight Division have now been published on FA Full-Time, with two further cup games to be scheduled for week commencing 9^th January subject to the First-Round games being played. Please note that after our experiences with October half-term, no games have been scheduled for February half-term week. If two clubs agree between themselves to bring a game forward to that week then please contact Mark Smedley to let him know that you wish to do this but be aware that if the game is subsequently postponed due to a team being unable to raise a side full charges would be applied in accordance with league rules.

League Table

Leading Scorers

Results and Next Week's Fixtures

25 November 2022