Larkhall Athletic Dev celebrate last season's cup final win

Fountain Trophies Cup

It was quarter final day in the Fountain Trophies Cup this Saturday, with three of the four ties being played and with all of the top three in the Premier Division involved. Division One leaders at the start of the day Faringdon Town, the sole remaining representative from the division, were also involved and were looking to cause an upset against Premier Division opposition as they entertained the cup holders Larkhall Athletic Development who won the cup last season as a Division One club themselves. Larkhall are clearly keen to retain the trophy they won at the end of last season and two goals in each half secured a 4-0 win over their Division One opponents. Angus Williamson set them on their way with the opener on 15 minutes, capitalising on a couple of defensive errors by the home side. Moments later Larkhall went close again but were denied by Jack Gibson in the Faringdon goal. They were not to be denied for long though, on 23 minutes a well worked move was finished off in style by Matt Morris to double their lead to send them into the break two goals to the good. It got even better for the visitors within four minutes of the restart when a Matt Morris effort went in off a Faringdon defender to make it 3-0 to the cup holders. The game was effectively ended as a contest just after the hour mark, Faringdon conceded possession on the halfway line, the ball was fed to Sam Whitson and his quick feet created space for himself to curl a wonderful left footed effort into the top corner for 4-0. A comfortable afternoon in the end for last year’s cup winners who will be now eyeing up a return visit to the Southbank Ground, the traditional home of the Fountain Trophies Cup Final.

League leaders Kintbury Rangers were home to Ludgershall Sports in their quarter final tie. When the two sides had met at the Recreation Ground back in the first week of the season, Kintbury had won 4-0 thanks to a couple of late goals. The teams had turned round that day at 0-0 but Ludgershall had then suffered a couple of injuries. Kintbury upped their game, scored twice and then two goals in injury time had given the result a somewhat flattering look. It was a different story in their second visit to the Recreation Ground as Kintbury dominated matters from the start running out 7-0 winners to comfortably secure their passage through to the last four. The Premier Division’s leading scorer George Armstrong led the way, adding four more to his impressive tally, which now stands at 29 goals. Further goals from James Patton, Ross Lawrence and Jake Allan completed the scoring for Kintbury who remain on track for a league and cup double.

Another four goals for George Armstrong in Kintbury's 7-0 cup win takes him on to 29 for the season

The final cup tie of the afternoon was at Pewsey Recreation Ground where Pewsey Vale, who sit in third place in the Premier Division table, took on Amesbury Town the team just above them in the table and another side looking to complete a league and cup double. The earlier league meeting between the two sides in the first week of the season had been won 1-0 by Pewsey thanks to a James Guthrie goal and he was once again to find the net in this second meeting of the season. The cup encounter was another tight affair, with both sides controversially reduced to ten men due to sending’s off as Pewsey’s Andy Rossiter and Amesbury’s Robbie Owen were both given their marching orders. Pewsey started brightly and had an early shout for a penalty, but their claims were waived away by the referee. Amesbury's Arran Moore broke the deadlock on 22 minutes, getting on the end of an inswinging corner from Kieron LeBrun to volley in to put Amesbury 1-0 up. Amesbury doubled their lead just after the half hour mark when a through ball from Kimron Quashie found Jack Langdown who fired in for 2-0. Three minutes later, having been denied what looked a more clear cut penalty in the opening minutes, Pewsey were given a chance to get back in the game when this time they were awarded a spot kick. Leading scorer James Guthrie made no mistake to take his total for the season to 17 to reduce the deficit. The two dismissals saw both teams play out the game with just ten men. Pewsey went close to getting an equaliser on several occasions in the second half as Amesbury’s lack of games in recent week’s began to take its toll. Pewsey hit the post and the crossbar, but an equaliser proved elusive as Amesbury saw out the closing stages without conceding to book their place in the last four.

The one outstanding cup quarter final between Melksham Town Reserves and Wroughton is set to place a week on Tuesday at the Oakfield Stadium.

Premier Division

In the league, Blunsdon were scheduled to entertain Odd Down (Bath) Development and Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development were set to visit Trowbridge Town. When Trowbridge called the latter game off due to a waterlogged pitch and then Odd Down advised Blunsdon they were unable to raise a side, with Blunsdon and Royal Wootton Bassett Town not having played each other at Sutton Park, attempts were made to bring their game forward from March. Due to some great collaboration involving the league officers, the two club secretaries and the two team managers the game was hastily arranged and was one of the two games to get played in the division this weekend. It was to be a tight affair involving three penalties, only one of which was scored, and some outstanding saves from Blunsdon keeper Harrison Ellis to ensure his side took all three points. It was an even first half hour, but just after visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development had lost leading scorer Nathanial Bell to an injury, Blunsdon went in front. The goal came from the penalty spot after visiting keeper Dan West had brought down Nick Craft in the box. Jamie Pidgeon put the spot kick away for his fourth goal of the season. Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development upped their game and dominated matters for much of the remainder of the match but wasted a couple of golden chances to get back in the game. First George Lance missed a penalty and then, ten minutes from time, Flynn Walters saw another penalty saved by Blunsdon keeper Ellis who was having an outstanding game for the home side. As well as the two missed penalties the visitors hit the frame of the goal twice and, when they did get their shots on target, they were denied on several occasions by Ellis who ensured his side took all three points. The win for Blunsdon saw them move above Wroughton into ninth place in the table.

Harrison Ellis who saved a penalty and defied opponents on several occasions in Blunsdown's 1-0 win over RWBT Dev

Having failed to raise a side for the fourth time this season, Odd Down (Bath) Development subsequently advised the League that they were withdrawing their side with immediate effect, noting they had exhausted all options. The Club Secretary noted that they have been let down by the players who were simply not prepared to commit and travel any more. Odd Down's record will now be expunged in due course as they have not reached the required 75% threshold and fixtures will need to be re-scheduled to fill in the gaps caused by their withdrawal.

The other game played in the Premier Division this weekend was at the Ian Richardson Ground where Shrivenham entertained Shrewton United. When the two sides had met at Shrewton at the beginning of November Shrivenham had returned with all three points following a 3-1 away win. It was to be a good afternoon for the home side as they completed a league double over their South Wiltshire opponents, securing a 3-0 win. The teams turned around at half time with the game still looking for its first goal but the deadlock was broken within a minute of the restart, Charlie Hampson firing Shrivenham ahead. They doubled their advantage just before the hour mark when leading scorer Brad Hirst fired in his 14^th goal of the season to make it 2-0 to Shrivenham. Shrewton had a golden chance to get a foothold back in the game when they were awarded a penalty. However, Lewis Cross hit the post with his spot kick and the opportunity was spurned. Shrivenham made sure of all three points with a third goal through Kieran Sutton.

Division One

With Division leaders Faringdon Town in cup action, Park United had the chance to take over at the top of the Division One table and an impressive first half showing against a strong Marlborough Town side saw them achieve that objective as goals from Lewis McCarron, Adam Mitchell and Zac Hiller secured a 3-0 win. The win saw them move a point ahead of Faringdon with both teams having now played 15 games. 

Next up for Park is a tricky looking trip next Saturday to a resurgent Purton side who have won all four of their games played so far in 2024. They secured their biggest win of the season on Saturday as they hit double figures against an out of-sorts Stratton Juniors side. Leading 2-1 at the break, ten unanswered second half goals saw Purton register a 12-1 win. Levi Cox is in a rich vein of form in front of goal at the moment, and he added four more to his total in the demolition of Stratton. Recent signing Mani Roper also hit a hat-trick, with further goals from Matt Bennett, Harrison Bennett, Rob Ritchings, Alex Hammond and Lee Hayward. Stratton’s consolation goal was scored by Corey Cullen who has put away 18 of Stratton’s 30 goals so far this season. The win for Purton saw them move to within three points of second placed Faringdon with a game in hand.

Fourth placed Devizes Town Reserves remained in touch with the top three but left it very late in their game against Cricklade Town. They led 1-0 thanks to a 12^th of the season from Liam Moffat and then saw opponents Cricklade reduced to ten men. Despite the numerical advantage Devizes fell behind, as goals from Gergo Komjati and Thomas Whitham put Cricklade 2-1 up. Devizes got themselves back on level terms eight minutes from time through a Josh Madle goal and, just as it looked like the two sides would have to share the points, a winner from 16-year-old Oliver Norman deep into injury time gave Devizes all three points.

More of David's excellent pictures can be found on the League's Facebook Group  Page.

Bratton, whose run to the semi final of the Wiltshire Junior Cup has seen them fall behind with their league fixtures, were keen to stay in touch with the top four. They started the day nine points behind new leaders Park United but with three games in hand. The deficit remains unchanged after a hard fought 4-2 win over Kingsdown Development. Drew Adams set them on their way with the opener on 23 minutes, netting a second three minutes later to take his total for the season to 16. Just after the half hour mark Jack Booth added a third to also move onto 16 for the season for Bratton. Second half saw Kingsdown pull one back just before the hour mark, but Matthew Dew quickly restored Bratton’s three goal advantage before a consolation goal in injury time for Kingsdown ended the afternoon’s scoring. On target for Kingsdown were Ollie Hunt and Callum Wilkinson. The 4-2 win for Bratton will see them go into their Junior Cup semi final clash with Trowbridge & District League champions Seend United next week in a confident mood, still maintaining league title aspirations, as well as a potential cup final to come. 

Another side with plenty of games in hand are Kintbury Rangers Development who could still yet mount a challenge at the top. They made it three wins on the spin with a narrow 2-1 away success against Bishops Cannings. Two goals from Aiden Maycock, one of which was from the penalty spot, put them 2-0 up before a late reply from Sam Brewer for Bishops Cannings reduced the deficit. It was too little too late for Cannings though as Kintbury made sure they did not concede again to secure all three points which saw them move above Pewsey Vale Development and into seventh spot in the table.

Lambourn Sports are under new management and the new team in the dugout saw their team return to winning ways with a comfortable 5-1 home win over Pewsey Vale Development. On target for Lambourn were Harry Meeky who bagged a brace, Daniel Trowbridge, Corey Goode and Scott Garrett, Kierron Kiff with the reply for Pewsey.

27 January 2024