Corsham Town and Melksham Town extended their lead of the sides just below them in the Mid Wiltshire Division table with victories this week. On Monday night Melksham Town had a comfortable win over Calne Town in a game switched to the 3G at MOD Lyneham to ensure the game went ahead. There were two goals for both Kris Beasley and Ian Dowell in a 5-2 win, Gary Perrott with the other Melksham goal. Dan Allison and Chris Robinson in reply for Calne, both with their second goals of the season. The two sides will meet again this coming Monday at MOD Lyneham in the reverse fixture.

Melksham’s win put pressure on Corsham Town who were in action on Thursday night with a tough looking fixture away to Devizes Town at Nursteed Road. Devizes went into the game knowing that nothing less than a win was needed if their own title aspirations were to be maintained and it produced a tight affair. Devizes went in front early in the first half, Rhys Schell with the goal, his eleventh of the campaign. However, leaders Corsham Town were back on terms by half time and then produced a winner in the second half to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table although Melksham. On target for Corsham were Jamie Lyons with his eleventh of the season and Jonathan Scott. Melksham still have a game in hand over Corsham but with just five games to go Corsham are very much in the driving seat with the destiny of the title in their own hands. David Giles was at the game with his camera and his excellent photos from the match can be viewed on the League’s Facebook Group page.

Action from Corsham Town's 2-1 win at Devizes Town

(pictures courtesy of David Giles)

At the other end of the table Radstock Town moved up a place in the table displacing Trowbridge Town Tigers thanks to a 1-0 win against League Cup finalists Westbury United. The game played on grass at Radstock at the request of Westbury in order for them to get some games in on grass ahead of the League Cup final next month at the Oakfield Stadium. The only goal of the game was scored by James Billing, who took his total for the season to eight goals.

The other game played this week was at Bulford Camp where Durrington entertained Chippenham Town and the two sides produced five goals with Chippenham edging it 3-2. Two goals from Ryan Nicholls and an eighth of the season from Steve Tweddle gave Chippenham the three points, Leon Collins with two second half goals in reply for Durrington. The win for Chippenham saw them move above both their beaten opponents Durrington and also Westbury United, up into fifth place.

The other game scheduled this week between Warminster Town and Trowbridge Town Tigers was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Warminster are now very much behind with their fixtures, having played three less than leaders Corsham Town and are set to have a busy end to the season as they look to maintain their title challenge.

There were three fixtures in the North Wiltshire with both Redhouse and Coate of the three teams battling it out for the league title both in action. Leaders Redhouse opened up a four point lead over second place Cricklade Town with a comfortable 5-0 win over bottom side Stratton Juniors on Wednesday night. For the second consecutive game new signing Lance Lewis bagged a brace, with Chris Hawkins also scoring for the second week running. The other two Redhouse goals came through Mark Glover and Nolan Paul. Redhouse have just four games to play but those four games include matches against fellow title challengers Cricklade Town and Coate in what is turning of to be a fascinating title race.

Coate had maintained their title challenge with a 3-0 win over Chiseldon the previous night at New College. Neil Snow had given them a slender 1-0 lead at half time but a second from Pete Monks ten minutes into the second half put them in command. A third from Brady Lilley three minutes from time ensured there would be no Chiseldon comeback, the win for Coate seeing them move to within six points of second placed Cricklade Town with a game in hand.

The other game played in the North Wiltshire Division was at Green Lane, Devizes on Tuesday night with AFC Swindon up against Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Goals from David Bundy, Dean Ramshaw, Mark Simpkins and Mark King ensured the points went the way of Royal Wootton Bassett Town, Jason Cobb replying for AFC Swindon as it finished 4-1. Royal Wootton Bassett Town moved up one place in the table as a result of the win, moving above Chiseldon on goal difference.

This week’s coming fixtures in the Veterans’ Division will be overshadowed by the sad news of the passing of Colin Nunn on Friday. Colin joined the league in 2020 as Referee Appointments Secretary for both our Veterans Divisions and Under 18 Divisions and will have dealt with all of our current Veterans’ sides. He had been battling illness for just over a year and only resigned from the Referee Appointments role at the end of January when his illness took its toll. Colin will be sorely missed by all on the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League and all our thoughts are with his family and his many friends at this sad time. As a mark of respect, we ask all our Veterans’ teams to observe a minute’s silence prior to all our fixtures during week commencing 25th March.