For the second week running there was a full round of games played in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League, with all four games this week being played on grass pitches thanks to the continued mild weather. There were two games on Monday night that come the end of the season could have a huge bearing on the ultimate destination of the league title. Bristol Manor Farm went into their home game against FC Chippenham as the only side in the Division unbeaten in league games this season having won six and drawn one of their opening seven fixtures. Opponents FC Chippenham in contrast had won just one of their nine opening league games. However, on Monday night form went out the window as FC Chippenham inflicted a first defeat of the season on Manor Farm, defeating them on their own patch thanks to goals from Darcy Garner, Hartley Newson and Edward Oatley, Ellis Badman and a 12th of the season from Evan Howse in reply for Manor Farm.
Kintbury Rangers were home to Royal Wootton Bassett Town with the visitors starting the evening at the top of the table along with Bristol Manor Farm. However, with Royal Wootton Bassett Town having played three more games than both Kintbury and Manor Farm they knew that nothing less than a win was needed to maintain a realistic interest in the title race. It was not a night to remember though for Gavin Cooks side as an own goal and strikes from Kyran Barrett and Charlie Adams put Kintbury 3-0 up before Sam Case pulled one back for the visitors as it finished 3-1 to Kintbury. With that result from Bristol Manor Farm the win was enough to send Kintbury clear at the top of the table, two points ahead of Bristol Manor Farm with both sides having reached the halfway mark with their league fixtures. The two sides have yet to play each other this season and, whilst the defeat suffered by Bristol Manor Farm was obviously a setback, the results in the two games between Kintbury Rangers and Bristol Manor Farm will almost certainly still decide the title race this season but at this stage it is advantage Kintbury.
The other two games this week were played on Thursday night. Calne Town, who had lost their Wiltshire County Cup semi final against Swindon Supermarine on Sunday, bounced back from that defeat to register a second consecutive 4-1 win in the league. Last week it had been FC Chippenham they had defeated, and they repeated that score with a 4-1 victory over Wims 11 at Bremhill View. A goal from Luke Masero set them on their way, Asher Jones with a penalty and two goals from captain Woody Smart completed a good night’s work for Calne. The consolation goal for Wims was scored by the Division's Billy Wimble who remains one goal ahead of Manor Farm's Evan Howse at the top of the goal scoring chart. The win for Calne saw them move to within four points of third placed Royal Wootton Bassett Town with two games in hand.
Due to damage to floodlights caused by the recent high winds, the fixture between Radstock Town and Melksham Town was reversed following great collaboration between the two clubs. The game itself saw Radstock Town return home with all three points following a 4-0 win. Tommy Lovegrove started the night’s scoring from the penalty spot before a Lex Southall free kick doubled their lead. Billy Tucker added a third firing in from close range following a corner and Harry Grimsey completed the night’s scoring lobbing the Melksham keeper with a well-placed effort from outside the box. The win for Radstock saw them move above Kingsdown in the table and into fifth spot.
2 February 2024
