After the withdrawal of Bristol Manor Farm, Radstock Town knew that two wins in their final two games would see them secure runners-up spot in the Under 18 Floodlight Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. It was mission accomplished as far as game number one was concerned, a 5-4 win over bottom of the table Melksham Town meaning their final game of the season would decide the destination of the runners-up awards. It was no easy task though as their opponents in that final game were champions Kintbury Rangers who had lost just one game all season, that their second game of the season away at Calne Town. After that defeat the only points dropped by Kintbury had been a 0-0 draw against Radstock Town back in February. The two sides had then met again in the U18 Cup and again it had finished 0-0 at the end of 90 minutes once again. It remained that way after an additional 30 minutes with penalties needed to decide matters that night, Kintbury edging it through after holding their nerve in the shootout. They would then go on to win the cup final with a dramatic late goal against Calne.

In their final league game, Kintbury Rangers clearly wanted to maintain that impressive record of just one defeat all season as they held Radstock to a 1-1 draw in the return league fixture on Thursday, both goals coming from the penalty spot, Jacob Palmer scoring for Radstock Town and leading scorer James Tomlinson, with the Kintbury goal to finish the season on 14 goals. With Radstock not taking maximum points it meant that Royal Wootton Bassett Town finished as runners-up, the third consecutive season they had achieved that position. They had finished their games way back on 22^nd March and could not have anticipated they would end up with honours with Bristol Manor Farm looking nailed on for a top two finish, with both Calne Town and Radstock Town set to pounce if Manor Farm slipped up. So, a surprise finish in the end for Gavin Cook’s side who will unfortunately not be participating next season, the club’s committee deciding not to run an U18 floodlit team next season. Whilst missing out on second spot, Radstock did finish in third place, equalling their highest ever position which was achieved last season when they tied for third spot with Calne Town. In fact, in the end, this season's top four was exactly the same as the top four last season.

The other game played last Thursday saw Melksham Town entertain FC Chippenham in a game switched to the grass pitch at Stanley Park with the Melksham pitch no longer being available dure to summer maintenance work. It was to prove an entertaining game for the spectators with the two sides sharing nine goals with FC Chippenham taking all three points following a 6-3 win. A good end to the season for FC Chippenham who won three of their last four games to finish joint fifth. There were two more goals for FC Chippenham’s Darcy Garner, who moved onto eight for the season, with further goals for FC Chippenham from Thomas Collings, Jacob Rains, Nathan Robinson and Edward Oatley. On target for Melksham Town were Kieran Higdon, Charlie Walder and a first of the season from Josh Davis.  It has been a season of struggle for Melksham with their only win coming from an awarded game but with a sizeable numberof the squad available again next season they will be hoping for a much better 2024-25 Season.

13 May 2024