One of the two finalists in the Under 18 Cup are now known after one of the two semi-finals was played on Friday night. Unfortunately, the first of the two semi-finals scheduled for Monday night, between Bristol Manor Farm and Kintbury Rangers, had been postponed due to the heavy rain that fell in the Bristol area on the afternoon of the game adding to the ever-growing list of postponed games in the U18 Division. The two teams will try again a week on Monday.

The one team through to the final are Calne Town who have made it into the Cup Final for a second consecutive season but, through no fault of their own, have made it after playing just the one game. With just ten teams starting the season they were one of the sides to get a bye in the First Round and then drew Bradford Town in the Second Round. With Bradford Town subsequently pulling out of the league Calne were given a bye through to the semi-final. In that semi-final they were up against Kingsdown who had beaten them 1-0 in the league back in October and a tight game was envisaged. It proved to be just that on Friday night with the two sides finishing all square at the end of 90 minutes, Woody Smart putting Calne Town ahead and then Tommy Hellewell equalising midway through the second half. Calne Town held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out scoring all four of their penalties taken, whilst Kingsdown missed their first and fourth spot kicks to give Calne a 4-2 victory on penalties.

Meanwhile two league games were played in the league on Thursday evening with Royal Wootton Bassett Town playing their penultimate game of the season away at Radstock Town who still had half their fixtures still to play due to County Cup commitments and postponements. Royal Wootton Bassett Town went in front, Rhys Westlake heading in from a corner but they were pegged back by a James Redfern equaliser. Two second half goals for Royal Wootton Bassett, both scored by Jamie Wright, gave the visitors all three points as it finished 3-1. The win saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town move four points clear at the top but with the chasing pack all having games in hand, they are likely to slip down the table, with a top three finish looking unlikely with the number of points they have dropped.

The other game played in the league was a high scoring affair at the Oakfield Stadium where Melksham Town entertained Wims 11. It was a night to remember for the Division’s leading scorer Billy Wimble who helped himself to five goals. A good night also for his strike partner Drew McIntosh who got the other four goals in a 9-3 win. Credit to Melksham who kept battling away, despite being on the wrong end of another big score, on target for Melksham were Kieran Higdon with two and Louis Irons.

On Sunday Bristol Manor Farm were in County Cup action with the semi-final of the Gloucestershire FA County Youth Cup, their opponents being Slimbridge. Unfortunately, there is not going to be a County Cup final appearance for Bristol Manor Farm as they fell to a heavy 6-0 defeat.

10 March 2024