Action from Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1-0 win over Letcombe

(picture courtesy of Tony Smith)

Premier Division

Pewsey Vale have made an impressive start to the new season having won their opening two games ahead of the visit of Blunsdon on Saturday. In midweek they had scored seven against a shell-shocked Trowbridge Town who parted with their manager following the heavy defeat. On Saturday they went one better putting eight goals past Blunsdon who have now lost both of their opening two games. In midweek recent signing Josh Fowler had been the star of the show and one again he led the way against Blunsdon scoring four of the Pewsey goals, Brandon Vincent bagged a brace and there were further goals from Luke Peterson and Matt James. That is now 18 goals for Pewsey in their opening three games that has seen them secure maximum points to head the table.  

Wroughton are also on nine points after their opening three games and have also been in fine goal scoring form in those three matches. They took their goal tally up to 15 on Saturday with a 4-0 home win over Calne Town Reserves. Of those 15 goals nine have now been scored by Jonathan Peachey-Score as he added two more to his personal tally against Calne, Luigi Hernandez and Ryan Major with the other two Wroughton goals. Wroughton and Pewsey are set to meet next Saturday but before that both will look to maintain their winning start in midweek, Pewsey travel to Shrewton United whilst Wroughton host Shrivenham.

The third side who are still on maximum points still but have played one game less than the top two are Bemerton Heath Harlequins Res. On Saturday they entertained Letcombe a side who went into Saturday’s encounter having won their opening two games. It was a tight affair from start to finish with Bemerton scoring what proved to be the only goal of the game 15 minutes from time, Alfie Ingram with the all-important goal. Bemerton manager Jay Madden acknowledged that Letcombe deserved to get something out of the game but was delighted with the result that sees his side sit on six points after their opening two games.

More of Tony's excellent pictures can be found at www.efc.smugmug.com

Melksham Town Reserves saw their perfect start to the season come to an end at home against Kintbury Rangers. The last meeting between the two sides had been in the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup semi-final when Melksham had defeated Kintbury 3-0 on their way to lifting the cup. There was to be no repeat of that result as Kintbury avenged that semi final defeat with a comprehensive 5-1 away win to end Melksham’s winning start to the season. The goals were shared around with Aidan Maycock, Kye Williams, Aaron Voller, Jake Allan and Oliver Denner all scoring one as Kintbury made it four points from their opening two games. The consolation goal for Melksham was scored by Liam Brooks.

Last season Faringdon Town and Park United had battled it out for the Division One League title with the title race going right down to the final week of the season. In the end Park United had edged it to finish two points ahead of Faringdon but in the first meeting between the two sides as Premier Division clubs the bragging rights went the way of Faringdon with a come from behind win. Trailing to a goal from Corey Harbour-Burgess Faringdon could have found themselves further behind but keeper Jack Gibson came to their rescue on several occasions. However, they got themselves back on level terms thanks to a goal from last season’s top scorer Kyle Bowyer. Daniel Loyden then put them in front for the first time in the game after Adam Sly dispossessed a Park defender and put the ball across to Loyden to tap into an open net. Matthew Bibby then made sure of the three points for Faringdon adding a third goal to make the final score 3-1 to Faringdon and their first win on the Premier Division after starting the season with two defeats.

Shrewton United made it two wins on the bounce with an away victory over Kingsdown and had goalkeeper Sam Gates to thank for the three points as much as their goal scorers as the Shrewton keeper saved two penalties. The first came 12 minutes into the game and the save from the Shrewton keeper from Ollie While's spot kick ensured the two teams turned round at half time with the game still looking for the first goal. That first goal finally came just before the hour mark and it went the way of Shrewton. Excellent work by Brennan Knowles saw him set up Jordan Cross for a simple tap in to give Shrewton the lead. Kingsdown were then awarded a second penalty on 78 minutes and a golden chance to get back on level terms. However, once again Gates pulled off a save this time from Joe English's penalty to deny the home side and maintain Shrewton’s lead. It remained just the one goal until the game moved into injury time when Shrewton were awarded a penalty of their own. Having set up the opening goal Knowles went from provider to scorer by showing Kingsdown how to put a penalty away as he made sure of the three points for Shrewton.

The final game of the day saw Trowbridge Town under new temporary management looking for a response following their midweek mauling at the hands of Pewsey when they travelled across the county border to take on Shrivenham. Whilst Trowbridge had the better of things in the first half the better early chances fell the way of Shrivenham with Trowbridge defenders twice clearing off the line, the first a low shot and the second a header from Brad Hirst. It was to be Trowbridge who would get themselves in front, a defensive mix up between young keeper Henry Owen and his defence saw the ball fall to Nick Taylor who was able to stretch and steer the ball into the far corner of the net for 1-0 to Trowbridge. Trowbridge continued to press for a second and went close from a corner, this time it was the turn of a Shrivenham defender to clear off the line and prevent their side falling further behind. At the other ed Shrivenham went close when an intended cross nearly went in, the ball coming back off the crossbar and being cleared for a corner. It remained 1-0 at the break. Early in the second half Shrivenham went close again when an intended header back from a Trowbridge defender failed to reach its target and Jacob Newdick, who was to have an eventful debut for his side, nipped in and his attempted lob just failed to reach the target. Shrivenham were not to be denied though and got themselves back on terms following a set piece. A free kick into the box came back off the cross bar and Newdick headed the rebound back towards goal, despite an attempted goal line clearance the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line by the referee’s assistant and the goal was given, and a goal on his debut for Newdick. After the euphoria of getting the goal Newdick then found his way into the referee’s notebook and then not long after saw a second yellow followed by a red for a late challenge. Trowbridge sought to take advantage of the additional man and went close on several occasions. Owen in the Shrivenham goal pulled off a number of saves to deny the visitors the most notable in the closing minutes from a header, with an excellent sliding tackle from Tim Cook then ensuring that Trowbridge were unable to put the rebound away which would have almost certainly given them the win. Despite being the man down Shrivenham saw out the closing minutes without conceding again to secure a valuable point against a side who, despite that midweek loss, will be challenging at the top for honours this season. Your Sport Swindon were there with their cameras and subscribers can view extensive coverage of the game and interviews with Shrivenham manager Glen Horsell and Trowbridge captain Liam Milburn by clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League website.

More of Alwyn's excellent pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

There is another busy midweek in the Premier Division with five games set to take place on Tuesday night and another three games on Wednesday. On Tuesday night leaders Pewsey Vale make that trip to Shrewton, whilst Wroughton entertain close friends Shrivenham. Letcombe will look to return to winning ways when they host Blunsdon, Kintbury Rangers take on Faringdon Town looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, whilst the final game of the nights sees Salisbury Dev, who called off their game on Saturday against RWBT Dev on Friday, set to host Trowbridge Town. The following night Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves will look to maintain their 100% winning start when they host Melksham Town Reserves, Calne Town Reserves and Larkhall Athletic Development go in search of their first points of the season at Bremhill View, whilst Kingsdown host Royal Wootton Bassett Town at Southbrook Rec.

Division One

On Monday night Cricklade Town had made it two wins from two with a last-minute goal against Kintbury Rangers Dev. On Saturday four other teams had the opportunity to join them at the top of the table on six points but only one of the four was to be successful. The team joining Cricklade at the top of the table are Lambourn Sports who were involved in the highest scoring game of the afternoon, securing a 6-3 away win over Kingsdown Development on the 3G at Kingsdown School. Lewis Shaw led the way for Lambourn helping himself to a hat-trick. Jamie Stones fired one in from the edge of the box, whilst Joe Broadbank scored direct from a corner, Dan Reynolds with the other Lambourn goal. On target for Kingsdown were Josh Atwell, who scored twice, and Reece Ricks.

Devizes Town Reserves missed out on joining Cricklade and Lambourn at the top of the table following a narrow 2-1 defeat away at Marlborough Town. Last seasons two meetings between the sides had been close affairs, the corresponding fixture finishing 4-4 and Marlborough edging the return fixture by a one goal margin with it finishing 2-1 at Nursteed Road. It was to finish 2-1 to Marlborough again on Saturday at Elcot Lane in the first meeting of the season between the two sides, Harry Womersley and Alfie Johnstone scoring for Marlborough, Finley Palmer with the reply for Devizes.

Bradford Town Reserves also missed out on joining the two sides at the top of the table when they were beaten away at Stratton Juniors. Stratton bounced back from the heavy defeat they suffered in their opening game against Kintbury Rangers Dev in style. First half goals from last season’s leading scorer Corey Cullen plus one from George Uzokwe gave the Swindon based side a 2-0 half time lead. Whilst Bradford Town pulled one back in the second half through Harvey Brock there was to be no equaliser as Stratton held out to secure that first win of the season and give them confidence going in their midweek encounter with Redhouse.

Kintbury Rangers Dev had won their opener before losing to that last minute winner against Cricklade in midweek. They were looking to return to winning ways and move joint top when they entertained Bratton, who had lost heavily in their opener against Cricklade. Things did not go to plan for Kintbury though. The first half saw neither side find the net but two second half goals from Josh Whitehead and Jack Hayward secured the first points of the season for Bratton. Whilst Harry Murtagh pulled one back for Kintbury it was too little too late as they fell to a second defeat of the week.

Redhouse had lost their opening game at Devizes last Saturday but bounced back in style with a 7-0 demolition of Pewsey Vale Development. Cameron Shrubb had scored for them in their 3-1 defeat at Devizes and he was amongst the goals again against Pewsey, netting twice for his side. Also on target for Redhouse were Kieren Dunne, Peter Amoni, Jamie Axford, Jack Duffy and Daniel Ricketts.

The weekend’s action had actually got underway on Friday night when Bishops Cannings entertained Shrivenham Development on the 3G at Green Lane. Last season Shrivenham had defeated Bishops Cannings 4-0 in the closing weeks of the season but Bishops Cannings avenged that defeat under the lights on Friday evening. Shrivenham went ahead through a Luke Saunders goal but a stunning strike from Ali Bradley on the stroke of half time put Bishops Cannings back on level terms at the break. The home side then secured all three points thanks to a winner from Szymon Raczek to run out 2-1 winners on the night.

This coming week there is midweek action also in Division 1. On Tuesday night Bratton entertain Bradford Town Reserves, whilst Kingsdown Development host Down Ampney in a game switched to Southbrook Rec with the 3G pitch not available in midweek. Also on Tuesday night there is a local derby in Swindon when Stratton Juniors take on Redhouse and it is also derby day in Devizes when Bishops Cannings entertain Devizes Town Reserves. The following night Pewsey Vale Development meet near neighbours Marlborough Town with Shrivenham Development and joint leaders Lambourn Sports concluding the midweek fixtures on Thursday night at the Ian Richardson Ground.

For exclusive insight from the team managers of our clubs read Your Sport's Swindon weekly coverage of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. For details of how to subscribe see the advert below.

11 August 2024