The final action of 2023 in the Veterans’ divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League saw Redhouse put themselves in a strong position to reclaim the North Wiltshire Division title which they won back in Season 2021-22. Two wins to round off the year saw them open up a seven-point lead over Cricklade Town but Cricklade, along with Coate, have games in hand partly due to extended cup runs and 2024 is certainly shaping up to see an exciting title race in the division. A hat-trick from David Pratt plus further goals from David Rendle, Leigh Brown and Nathan Packer saw Redhouse defeat AFC Swindon 6-0, a side who had pushed Redhouse all the way when they had met at the beginning of the season. This win over AFC Swindon was followed by a 3-0 victory over Chiseldon on Wednesday night. Once again David Pratt led the way scoring twice to take his total for the season to 15, David Rendle with the other goal.
Chiseldon had been involved in an exciting game the previous week against Swindon Old Boys, edging it by the odd goal in five. On target for Chiseldon were Richie Miles, who bagged a brace, and Adam O’Keeffe, Wayne Rickwood and Martyn Roberts with the two goals for Old Boys. Chiseldon end the calendar year level on points with Coate in fourth spot although Coate have three games in hand. Swindon Old Boys remain in seventh spot a point behind Royal Wootton Bassett Town.
The other game played in the North Wiltshire Division saw Penhill United climb above Coate into third place following a 2-0 win over Stratton Juniors. A first half goal from Jermaine Spellman saw Penhill lead 1-0 at the break and a second from Aaron Welland midway through the second half made sure of the points for Penhill who now sit seven points behind second placed Cricklade Town with a game in hand.
Cricklade Town’s scheduled quarter final tie in the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup against Winsley was awarded to Cricklade following Winsley’s decision to fold their Veterans’ side. The draw for the semi final has been made by the Wiltshire FA and Cricklade will play Southampton League side Redlynch & Woodfalls, with that game set to take place at Cirencester Town on Tuesday 9th January, whilst Coate from the North Wiltshire Division will meet Corsham Town from the Mid Wiltshire Division at Green Lane on Monday 8th January.
The final week of action of the calendar year in the Mid Wiltshire Division was a busy one with five games spread over the week, starting on the Monday night and ending on the Friday night. Monday saw the one outstanding game in the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup get played with last season’s winners Melksham Town entertaining fellow Mid-Wiltshire Division opponents Corsham Town. There will be a new name on the trophy this season after Corsham Town knocked out the holders Melksham, who had also lifted the cup in its inaugural season, thanks to goals from Nathanial Auckland and Adrian Webb, Kris Beasley with his sixth of the season getting the Melksham goal.
In the league, after a couple of heavy defeats and conceded games, Durrington returned to winning ways with a narrow 2-1 success over Radstock Town, Jesse Walters with both goals for Durrington, Sean Snook with the reply for Radstock.
The same night Trowbridge Town Tigers registered their best result of the season with a 2-0 away win against Chippenham Town at Green Lane thanks to a goal in each half from Mariusz Hoszko. Having drawn with Chippenham 2-2 at the start of the season the Tigers are becoming a bit of a bogey side for Chippenham.
Westbury United are starting to climb up the table, and are up to fourth spot in the table after the results of Winsley have been expunged following their withdrawal from the league. Westbury had a comfortable 5-0 win over bottom of the table Amesbury Junior Badgers in their final game of 2023, with the damage being done in the first half with both Dale Rowland and Paul Beavers scoring twice, Rowland taking his tally for the season so far up to seven. Westbury eased off in the second half adding just the one goal scored by Darren Fryer with his first of the season.
Radstock Town, having played on the Monday night, were back in action on the Friday and were involved in another close game away to Warminster Town. In the end they were beaten by the odd goal in three but Warminster knew they had been given a tough game by the side in the lower half of the table. The win sent Warminster joint top of the table with Corsham Town. Sean Snook scored his second goal of the week for Radstock with the Division’s leading scorer James Vincent getting both Warminster Town goals to move onto 15 for the season.
Best wishes to all the Veterans' teams from the Management Committee of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League for a happy Christmas and a successful New Year.
22 December 2023
