There were five games in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League on Bank Holiday Monday and the games drew some large crowds with the games at both Salisbury and Kintbury seeing three figure crowds. As well as a day of big crowds it was also a day that saw matters settled at both the top and bottom of the league table.

All eyes were on the game at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium in Salisbury where Salisbury FC Development’s visitors Trowbridge Town needed just a point to be crowned champions of the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. After losing their manager and many of their first team players to Bradford Town at the end of November, at the time it looked like Trowbridge’s title hopes had departed down the road and that Devizes Town would seize the moment and displace Trowbridge from the top spot that they had held all season up until that point. However, one of the players who remained, Ryan Baggs, stepped into the shoes of departing manager Jamie Jordan, in what turned out to an astute appointment. With some smart signings of his own Baggs ensured that Trowbridge maintained their winning ways despite the loss of such a large number of key players. Trowbridge and Devizes then matched each other stride for stride until the final weeks of the season. Losses for Devizes at home to Melksham Town and then away at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development meant the pendulum swung Trowbridge’s way in those final weeks and, with Devizes failing to win again on Saturday at Blunsdon, Trowbridge went into the game against Salisbury knowing a point would be good enough. In reality with their superior goal difference just avoiding a heavy defeat in their two final games would get them across the line.  

Mark Winter’s young Salisbury side have been a much-improved proposition since the turn of the year and were to give the champions elect a good run for their money this afternoon. Trowbridge started the brighter and James Rustell went close to an opener when found by a Martin Johnson through ball, but his shot was blocked by the Salisbury defence. The same two players combined for Trowbridge’s next opportunity, this time Rustell crossed to Johnson whose header went just wide of the post. Salisbury’s first real chance came around the half hour mark, Dyllan Roocroft playing in Abdul Razak for a golden chance, but Razak missed the ball and it remained 0-0. Trowbridge then went close shortly after, Conor McKay finding himself in on goal, but the effort was struck straight at Ernie Osei the Salisbury keeper and the two teams turned round at the break with the big crowd of 129 still to see a goal.

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes into the second half, Liam Milburn whipping in a corner which found Liam Watson. Watson's first effort was blocked, but the rebound came back to him, and he fired it into the bottom corner to give Trowbridge the lead. Salisbury pushed for an equaliser but five minutes later found themselves two down. A Salisbury attack broke down with them appealing for a foul but with none given Trowbridge broke quickly and Conor McKay found James Rustell who slotted under Osei for 2-0 to Trowbridge and the title was now ever nearer.  Trowbridge then went close to adding a third 12 minutes from time, but McKay's chipped effort just cleared the crossbar. Salisbury had a chance for a late consolation in injury time, but Razak saw his shot go wide of the post as it finished 2-0 to the visitors and the celebrations could begin.

The Premier Division trophy and individual mementos were presented to Trowbridge following the match by League Secretary Jim Thorn.  Congratulations to Trowbridge Town on their title success from all at the Corsham Print Senior League and well done also to Devizes Town for their part in what has been a fascinating title race dominated by the two teams from start to finish. Devizes now have the consolation of a cup final to look forward to and also an immediate return to Step 6 football as a result of their second-place finish, with Trowbridge Town’s ground not currently ready for Step 6 football.

Trowbridge players celebrate Liam Watson's opener

(picture courtesy of Martin Pearce)

James Rustell with the 2nd for Trowbridge (picture courtesy of Martin Pearce)

Action from Trowbridge Town's 2-0 win over Salisbury FC Dev

(pictures courtesy of Martin Pearce)

More of Martin Pearce's excellent pictures from Trowbridge Town's 2-0 win at Salisbury that clinched the title can be found by clicking on this LINK.

Both Frome Collegians and Blunsdon went into their game at the old Showfield this afternoon with the possibility of a final third place finish still in their sights. Both teams came into the game on the bank of good results on Saturday, Frome defeating the current third place side Pewsey Vale and Blunsdon drawing with Devizes to blow a big hole in their title hopes. Those two games probably took a lot out of the sides as Monday’s game saw both sides struggle to create any clear-cut chances. Blunsdon had slightly the better of things in the first half and had a couple of chances cleared off the line. What turned out to be the only goal of the game came two minutes before the half time interval and it went the way of Blunsdon, Dave Young firing in from distance with a shot that deceived Ryan Hancock in the Frome goal for his third of the season. Frome rarely troubled Harrison Ellis in the Blunsdon goal in the second half as weary legs in both sides following Saturday's efforts saw neither side create any more clear cut chances. The win for Blunsdon saw them move to within two points of Pewsey Vale with both teams having one game to go, Pewsey are home to Salisbury FC Development whilst Blunsdon entertain Calne Town Reserves in their final game.

Blunsdon who kept their quest for 3rd spot on track with one game to go

Kintbury Rangers are also still in with a very slim outside chance of that third spot but they would need to win both their remaining games by a big margin and hope other results go their way to overhaul the three sides above them in the table. They certainly will be eying up a top five finish though, even if that third spot may prove too much. They kept themselves on track for that goal with a 4-1 home win over Malmesbury Victoria Development in front of a crowd of 103, avenging the 4-0 defeat they suffered a couple of weeks ago. Josh Davis led the way firing a hat-trick to make it five goals in the last two games, James Keen with the other Kintbury goal, Matt Jones replying for Malmesbury.

There were two big games at the bottom end of the table which confirmed come 5PM which three teams will finish the season in the potential relegation positions, even if the relative positioning is not yet final nor the number of teams to be relegated. This will depend on the final movements between the league and the Step 6 leagues which is in the hands of the FA Leagues Committee. Melksham Town Reserves started the day still looking to secure their safety, something which a few weeks ago looked most unlikely. However, five wins in their six games going into today’s encounter with fellow strugglers Odd Down (Bath) Development meant that a win this afternoon would ensure their safety. An impressive first half showing meant that safety was effectively secured by halftime at Odd Down. Luke Curtis put them ahead with just three minutes on the clock and Jake Dodge then doubled their lead on ten minutes with his 14^th of the season. Ten minutes later it was 3-0 as Matt Caslin found the back of the net. It was to remain that way until eight minutes from time when Luke Ballinger added a fourth to guarantee Melksham Town Reserves would again be playing in the Premier Division next season. The defeat for Odd Down condemned them to a bottom three position and they slipped a place to second from bottom due to results elsewhere. They will now look to win their final game against Wroughton to secure a 14^th place finish which may well secure safety at the end of the day depending on what happens with movements between the league and Step 6. 

Melksham Town Reserves whose six wins in their last seven games ensured safety

Odd Down slipped a place in the table as a result of the other big game at the bottom of the table which saw Marlborough Town record their biggest win of the season in their final game, an impressive 7-0 win over bottom side Stratton Juniors. Tom Etheridge set them on their way with the opener before leading scorer Jake Farrell got in the act to give Marlborough a 2-0 halftime lead. Marlborough were to dominate the second half adding five further goals without reply. Two more for Farrell saw him complete his hat-trick and take his total for the season to 18, Simon Neale, Harry Womersley and Harry Gibson with the other Marlborough goals in front of another healthy crowd, 82 the attendance at Elcot Lane. Stratton remain rooted to the bottom of the table but could still yet finish off the bottom if they win their final game against Frome Collegians and Odd Down fail to win their final game against Wroughton.

Whilst they did not have a game today, as a result of Melksham and Marlborough Town's victories, Shrewton United's safety was confirmed with two games still to play. Like with Melksham Town Reserves another remarkable turnaround after their manager left early in the calendar year and they were forced to withdaw their Development side from the Trowbridge & Distrcit League in order to complete the season. Unlike last season, all sixteeen teams in the Premier Division have been competitive this time round with the relegation battle, like the title race, going right down to the end of the season.

1 May 2023