There was a full round of games in the Under 18 Floodlight Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League last week, the first time this has happened since the first week of October. At one point it did not look like the full programme would get played but thankfully in the end all four scheduled games went ahead.
On Thursday night Royal Wootton Bassett Town moved top of the league with a comfortable 5-0 away win at Melksham Town. Star of the night was Rhys Westlake who helped himself to a hat-trick with further goals from Leo Bagley and James Dorsett completing a good night for the visitors. Whilst the victory took Royal Wootton Bassett Town top of the table, they have played more games than the other sides at the top and they will need those sides to start dropping points if they are to have a realistic chance of honours this season.
There were three games played on Friday night, all on 3G pitches. It was a tight affair at Green Lane where Kingsdown entertained title chasing and unbeaten Bristol Manor Farm. In an entertaining game, watched by the League Chairman Brian Busson, it looked like it was heading for a stalemate as the game entered its closing stages without a goal. However, with less than ten minutes to go, Bristol Manor Farm were awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box and whilst the Kingsdown keeper managed to get a hand to the ball he was unable to stop it from going in. A few minutes later an error by one of Kingsdown's defenders allowed Manor Farm to have a clear run-on goal and they made no mistake to wrap up the points. On target for Manor Farm, who maintained their unbeaten start to the league season, were Evan Howse with his 11th of the season and Jacob Littlewood. The win saw Bristol Manor Farm move level on points with Royal Wootton Bassett Town at the top of the table but with three games in hand.
The same night Calne Town made the short journey to Stanley Park to take on FC Chippenham for the first meeting between the two sides this season. Once again it was to be the visitors who travelled back home with three points in the bag as goals from Asher Jones (2), Luke Masero and Kasey Gale secured a 4-1 win, Darcy Garner with the FC Chippenham goal.
The final game on Friday night was in Swindon at the new Moredon 3G facility where Wims 11 hosted Radstock Town. In was another entertaining game played in front of a healthy crowd. Wims got off to a fast start as they took an early lead through Billy Wimble, Wims leading scorer firing into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box. Wimble had the ball in the back of the net again shortly after but this time it was ruled offside by an assistant’s flag. Radstock Town got themselves back on level terms from a set piece routine, Barclay Lloyd-Foster heading in from a Sonny Clayton corner. Nevertheless, it would be the home side who would go into the half time interval in front as Drew McIntosh restored their one goal advantage with his sixth of the season. Both sides created further chances, but it would be the visitors Radstock who would score next in what was turning out to be a pulsating game. Theo King was the scorer, striking a powerful free kick from distance which took a wicked deflection off a defender and ended up in the back of the net for 2-2. Having twice been pegged back Wims then went in front for the third time, and once again it was their leading scorer Wimble who did the damage with a well taken goal for 3-2. Once again Radstock came back at the home side and levelled matters up for the third time from the penalty spot after the Wims keeper was adjudged to have tripped Theo King in the box. Tommy Lovegrove took the spot kick to restore parity at 3-3. Radstock’s keeper Jacob McKenna then pulled off the moment of the match on his debut when he clawed a fierce Wims shot away from finding the top corner. The save proved crucial as Radstock went down the other end to score through Casper Olczak and take the lead for the first time in the match. Wims went close to getting a share of the spoils when a header at the far post was saved at point blank range by McKenna with his feet in the dying stages as the visitors held on for three points. Your Sport Swindon were there to capture the action and subscribers can view the highlights by clicking on the link below or from the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League website where you can also access the other games that have been covered by Your Sport Swindon.
29 January 2024
