Tonight, Amesbury Town will look to become the first team from the Wiltshire Senior League to lift the prestigious Wiltshire County FA Senior Cup since Trowbridge Town achieved that feat back in Season 2003-4. In the intervening 20 years just one team from the league has made the final, that being Wroughton who were in last season’s final but were beaten 6-2 by Downton. Holders Downton are Amesbury’s opponents in this season’s final having been given a reprieve after losing their semi-final against Bradford Town 2-1. It was subsequently discovered that Bradford Town had played an ineligible player, and the tie was awarded to Downton. Downton currently sit in third place in the Wessex League Division One and set for the play-offs for promotion to Step 5.

Amesbury Town’s route to the final saw them receive a bye in Round One. In the Second Round they were home to fellow Wiltshire Senior League side Ludgershall Sports. Amesbury secured a comfortable 5-1 victory over the Sports with captain Jack Vallis scoring twice, with Ben Morris and Charlie Jackson also on target.

Next up in the Quarter Final was a trip to Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One side Calne Town and higher-level opponents. Few would have predicted the 6-2 away win that resulted ahead of the game. Amesbury went at their Step 6 opponents right from the off and were in front within three minutes, a Josh Moore cross to the far post finding the head of Robbie Owen to give Amesbury an early lead. They doubled their lead on nine minutes, Ally McCracken firing in from the edge of the box for 2-0. There was no letting up from Robbie Skeates side as Josh Moore added a third with just 15 minutes on the clock, Moore chipping the keeper from 25 yards out. Amesbury continued to push forward and were 4-0 up on 20 minutes, McCracken going from scorer to provider as his through ball found Ben Morris who from a tight angle volleyed home into the far corner. The half time break could not come quick enough for a shell shocked Calne side. Whatever was said at half-time in the Calne dressing room certainly provoked a reaction as Calne came out second half and scored two quick goals. Substitute Jack Smith scored the first within a minute of the restart and Josh Bright then added a second on 54 minutes as Calne looked to make a game of it. However, there was to be no comeback from the Step 6 side, as centre-back Jack Vallis restored Amesbury’s three goal advantage heading home from a Matt Scott corner to make it 5-2. On a night of quality goals from Amesbury they saved the best until last when a header into the box was met by Josh Moore with an overhead bicycle kick that saw the ball scream into the top corner of the net giving the Calne keeper absolutely no chance. A convincing 6-2 win for Amesbury.

Amesbury’s reward for that impressive result was a home tie against fellow Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side Melksham Town Reserves guaranteeing the League a finalist for the second season running. The semi-final took place on Tuesday 12^th March only due to the hard work of the Amesbury ground staff on the day of the game, despite heavy overnight rain and more on the morning of the game, their hard work ensured the game got the go ahead. In difficult muddy conditions it was to be Amesbury’s night as Melksham found Amesbury’s leading scorer Josh Moore too hot to handle, Moore scoring a hat-trick in a 5-1 win. The other two goals came courtesy of Ally McCracken and Arran Moore, Elliott Haffenden with the consolation goal for Melksham.

Downton’s route to the final saw them defeat Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side Shrewton United 2-0 in the Second Round, having also received a bye in Round One. At the Quarter Final stage their opponents were Uhlsport Hellenic League side Devizes Town and, like Amesbury, they scored an impressive six goals to knock out a Step 6 side from the Hellenic League, 6-1 the final score in this one. Then in the semi-final it was that "winning defeat" against Bradford Town that sees them through to tonight’s final.

For Amesbury Town tonight represents the first leg of a potential treble, as they currently lead the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior Division and look on track for an immediate bounce-back to Step 6, and are also still in the League’s Fountain Trophies Cup. Best wishes to Amesbury for tonight’s cup encounter from all at the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League and we hope they can lift that cup this evening.

Tonight’s game is at Moon Park, home of Bemerton Heath Harlequins, with a 7:30PM kick-off.