There were four games played in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans' Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League and it saw all of the top three sides pick up victories on Monday night to maintain their title challenges. League leaders Corsham Town made the short journey to MOD Lyneham to take on Calne Town and returned home with all three points following a 3-0 win. Two more goals for Simon Gray saw him move into double figures for the season, Josh Brigham with the other Corsham goal.
The same night second in the table Warminster Town were made to work hard for the three points at Green Lane by cup semi-finalists Westbury United. In the end a first half goal from Warminster’s Carl Clarke was all that separated the two sides. The win for Warminster left them four points behind Corsham but with two games in hand.
Third in the table Melksham Town ensured they stayed on the heels of the top two with a 2-0 home success over Durrington. A first half penalty from Lee Morgan and a goal early in the second half from James Taylor did the damage for Melksham who remain six points behind leaders Corsham but also have two games in hand.
What turned out to be the final game of the week in the division saw Radstock Town secure their fourth win of the campaign with a narrow 1-0 success away at bottom of the table Amesbury Junior Badgers who went agonisingly close to picking up their first point of the season. The win for Radstock saw them climb above Trowbridge Town Tigers in the table.
The scheduled game on Thursday night between Devizes Town and Trowbridge Town Tigers was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
There were plenty of goals in the three games played in the North Wiltshire Veterans Division, including a close affair at Green Lane on Tuesday night between Penhill United and Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Royal Wootton Bassett have had something of an inconsistent season, but Tuesday was to be one of their better nights as they edged the close contest by the odd goal in five. Last season’s top scorer Chris Head had played just one game all season before Tuesday night and he made an immediate impact on his return to the side scoring twice in his sides 3-2 win, Steve Yeardley with the other Royal Wootton Bassett Town goal. Chris Allen and Anthony McCusker with second half goals in reply for Penhill who missed out on the chance of moving up into the top three.
The same night Chiseldon and Swindon Old Boys met at New College in a game that was arranged at very short notice thanks to excellent co-operation from the two sides. It surprisingly proved to be something of a one-sided affair with Swindon Old Boys hitting seven unanswered goals to take the three points. Bryan Mills led the way scoring four times with further strikes from Peter Myall, Wayne Rickwood and Nick Zenonos. Despite the win Swindon Old Boys remain second from bottom in the adjusted table following the recent withdrawal of Blunsdon.
On Wednesday night AFC Swindon and bottom of the table Stratton Juniors met at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground. AFC Swindon are a much improved this season and started the night as favourites, with Stratton yet to register a win that counts, their only victory this season having unfortunately been expunged following the withdrawal of Blunsdon. It was to be Stratton who took an early lead though, top scorer Vince McMackin netting just seconds into the match catching out the Your Sport Swindon cameras who were there to record the action. AFC Swindon got themselves back on level terms though with a neat headed finish from a left-wing cross as the teams turned round at the break all square. Stratton went back in front when Matthew Barnes chipped the AFC Swindon keeper from the edge of the area to put his side 2-1 ahead. However, Stratton would be denied that elusive first win when they were pegged back for the second time by AFC. Both sides had chances for the winner but none were taken and the two sides had to settle for a point apiece. Your Sport Swindon were there with their cameras and subscribers can view the action by either clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where all the other games covered by Your Sport Swindon can also be accessed.
11 February 2024