Once again there was a full programme of games in the Under 18 Floodlight Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. Bristol Manor Farm were back in action on Monday night when they entertained Melksham Town. Bristol Manor Farm had started the season with two victories whilst in contrast Melksham Town had lost both of their opening two games. Monday night’s encounter between the two teams very much ran to form as Bristol Manor Farm maintained their perfect start to the season with a 4-1 win. On target for Manor Farm were substitute Evan Howse with two, Freddie Thorn and a sixth of the season in all competitions from Levelle Bishop.

The top match on a very wet Thursday night was at Bremhill view where last season’s champions Kintbury Rangers were up against Calne Town who had just missed out on league honours last season but had secured the U18 Cup. Kintbury Rangers had done a league double over Calne last season but both teams went into Thursday’s encounter having won their opening games of the season and a close game was anticipated. It proved to be just that as Calne edged it by the odd goal in five. Last season’s top scorer for Calne, Asher Jones, bagged a brace with the other Calne goal coming through Luke Masero. On target for Kintbury Rangers were Rhys Atkins and Joseph Sheridan. The win for Calne saw them move second in the table and it is now just them and Bristol Manor Farm with perfect records.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town sit level on points with Calne Town as they picked up their second straight victory, bouncing back from their opening day defeat at the hands of the league leaders. Their latest success was a 5-2 home win over Wims 11 in an entertaining affair at the Sustain Stadium. The home side took an early lead through Joe Beavis, a ball into his feet was neatly controlled, followed by a smart turn and finish into the far bottom corner of the net for 1-0. The home side were now on top and created a number of good chances. The pressure eventually led to a second goal and once again it was Beavis the scorer, the striker reacting quickly to a rebound after Rhys Westlake’s shot was well saved by the Wims keeper to head home for 2-0. Wims then got themselves back in the game with the goal of the game, a free kick from distance from Billy Wimble finding the top corner of the net to make it 2-1 at the break. Royal Wootton Bassett Town restored their two-goal advantage early in the second half, Wims lost the ball on the edge of their own 18-yard box, the ball falling to Beavis who fed Beau Hicks who made no mistake for 3-1. Wims stepped up their game and went close to reducing the deficit when a shot from the edge of the box was pushed onto the post by the home side keeper and the ball cleared. Having had that narrow escape, Royal Wootton Bassett Town then went further in front with a well taken goal. The ball found Finley Smith on the left flank and he cut inside and fired a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box which went under the Wims keeper to nestle in the far corner of the net for 4-1. Despite trailing by three goals Wims never gave up and put the home defence under tremendous pressure. They thought they had pulled one back only to see the goal disallowed by an offside flag. The visitors continued to press and went close on several occasions but a combination of some good saves from the keeper including one tremendous save to deny Wimble his second goal, a big slice of luck here and there for the home defence and some mishit shots meant that the home side somehow managed to retain that three goal advantage. Having weathered the Wims pressure without conceding, Royal Wootton Bassett Town finally put the game beyond the visitors when a long ball out of defence found Beau Hicks in the clear and he cooly finished into the far corner of the net to make it 5-1 to the home side. There was still time for one more and it went the way of Wims when a shot from distance was spilled by the Bassett keeper and Drew McIntosh had a simple tap to make the final score 5-2. Your Sport Swindon cameras were at the game and subscribers can see highlights by clicking on the link below or from the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League website.

Radstock Town had lost their opener to Bristol Manor Farm and were keen to register their first points when they travelled to Bradford Town who had lost both of their opening fixtures. Radstock were not at their best but they did manage to return with all three points, 15 year old substitute Aelfric Bidder scoring the only goal of the game.

The final game of the week was on Friday night and it saw Kingsdown looking to maintain their winning start to the season against FC Chippenham at Stanley Park. It was another close game in what is already looking like a very competitive Under 18 Division this season. FC Chippenham led 2-1 at half time but Kingsdown ensured a share of the points with a second half equaliser as it finished 2-2. Harry Stiles and Cameron Ladner-Poole with the FC Chippenham goals, Finn Broadbank and Thomas Hellewell replying for Kingsdown who remain unbeaten after their opening two fixtures.

1 October 2023