Wiltshire Senior Cup Final
It was not to be for Wroughton in the final of the Wiltshire FA’s Senior County Cup as they fell to a 6-2 defeat at the hands of the cup holders Downton. Wroughton were making history by playing in their first ever Wiltshire Senior Cup final which was being staged at Westbury United following a late switch from Melksham Town’s Oakfield Stadium.
Downton started at a pace and were relentless for 90 minutes with their attacking play which put Wroughton under pressure from the start. Despite creating several chances in the early stages of the game, they were not taken, and in fact it was Wroughton who took the lead around the half hour mark, Ollie While setting up Jonathan Peachey-Score and Wroughton’s leading marksman made no mistake to put the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side ahead with his sixth goal in the competition and his 32nd in all competitions. Downton got themselves back on level terms five minutes before half time, Sam Howe with the goal, and then scored a second on the stroke of half time through Krzysztof Krystofowicz to lead 2-1 at the break.
Downton continued to take the game to Wroughton in the second half and extended their lead on the hour mark, Krystofowicz with his second of the game to make it 3-1. Three minutes later it was effectively game over as Marcel Laptas made it 4-1. Wroughton managed to pull one back on 76 minutes, Dave Harmer with his fourth of the season to make it 4-2. Downton continued their relentless attacks and any hope of getting back in the game was ended eight minutes from time, Cameron Butler netting Downton’s fifth. There was still time for one more, Ollie Davies adding a sixth a minute from time to make the final score 6-2 as Downton lifted the Wiltshire Senior Cup for the second season running. Congratulations to Downton on winning the cup once again but it is also well done to Wroughton for their history making achievement of reaching the final for the first time and being the first team from the Wiltshire Senior League to make the final since Trowbridge Town way back in Season 2003-4. Wroughton will now look to also make the final of the Fountain Trophies Cup but will have to overcome Trowbridge Town and Larkhall Athletic Development if they are to participate in a second cup final this season.
Premier Division
As well as Tuesday night’s cup final there was also two games in the Premier Division both of which impact positions down at the bottom end of the table. After spending virtually all season at the bottom of the table,
Melksham Town Reserves have finally lifted themselves off the bottom and also out of the bottom three following a 4-0 home win over
Blunsdon. The game had been arranged at short notice with excellent co-operation between the two clubs to help alleviate issues with ground availability after the end of April. Two goals from Jake Dodge, who moved his total for the season onto 12, plus one apiece from Tom Dowell and Luke Curtis did the damage for Melksham, the win being built on an impressive first half showing that had seen them lead 3-0 at the break. Melksham have now won three of their last four games and with both fellow strugglers Odd Down (Bath) Development and Stratton Juniors still to play have put themselves in a good position of avoiding the drop.
Melksham Town Reserves, pictured earlier in the season, who have won 3 of their last 4 to move off the bottom
Also starting to move away from those relegation positions are Malmesbury Victoria Development. Tuesday night saw them involved in an entertaining game with Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development at the Sustain Stadium. The game could have gone either way but in the end some clinical finishing saw Malmesbury take the three points courtesy of a 2-0 win. Last season Dale Richards had been part of the title winning Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development side but he scored an absolute stunner for his new club Malmesbury on his return to the Sustain Stadium. Also on target for Malmesbury was Harrison Archer. The win saw Malmesbury move up to 11th spot and with games in hand over all the teams below them in the table should be confident of avoiding the drop.
Dale Richards and Harrison Archer who scored the goals for Malmesbury Vics Dev in their 2-0 win over Royal W. Bassett Town Dev
Registration Deadline
Clubs are reminded that the deadline for player registrations and transfers is tomorrow Friday, 31st March 2023.
30 March 2023