North Wiltshire Division

As we approach the halfway stage of the season for the Veterans’ sides, the North Wiltshire Veterans’ Division title race this season is proving to be one of the best since the Veterans’ Divisions were established. with four teams looking potential contenders for honours this season. Two sides have yet to taste defeat, last season’s champions Cricklade Town and last season’s double cup winners Nationwide, who lifted the two cups under the Coate name. Both have won all but one of their games to date, Cricklade drawing with Chiseldon and Nationwide drawing with Royal Wootton Bassett Town. The other teams in the title race are last season’s runners-up Redhouse, whose only defeats so far have been at the hands of Cricklade and Nationwide, and ExIntel who have lost three times but have won their remaining six fixtures to date.

Nationwide and Cricklade both picked up wins this week but whilst Nationwide’s 1-0 win over Penhill United  was a tight affair settled by a solitary Paul Stonehouse goal, Cricklade Town were big winners scoring 11 times against AFC Swindon. Star of the show for Cricklade was TJ Bohane who scored five in the 11-1 win to move onto 19 for the season, Adam Smith hit a hat-trick, Aaron Maximen scored two, with Phil Corcoran getting the other Cricklade goal. The consolation goal for AFC Swindon was scored by Andy Philpott.

After losing to Nationwide last week, Redhouse returned to winning ways, David Pratt scoring both goals for them in a 2-0 win over Swindon Rovers. That is now 12 for the season for Pratt who sits second behind Bohane in the Division’s goal scoring chart. Redhouse are a point behind leaders Nationwide having played one more game than the leaders and two points ahead of third placed Cricklade Town but having played two more games.

ExIntel  are a point behind Cricklade Town after they recorded an impressive 4-1 win on a freezing cold Wednesday evening at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground against Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Jason Stevens put them ahead volleying in from a corner. Jeremy Newton twice went close to putting back on level terms but was twice denied by saves by the ExIntel keeper. ExIntel extended their lead and again it came following a corner. On this occasion the corner was initially cleared but Royal Wootton Bassett then conceded possession on the edge of their own box and Simon Foster fired home for 2-0 from just outside the area. ExIntel continued to push forward and went 3-0 up with the best goal of the night, Richard Clark firing into the top corner of the net from the edge of the 18-yard box. Royal Wootton Bassett Town thought they had pulled one back early in the second half, but an offside flag saw the goal ruled out. ExIntel then went further in front from a scrambled goal from another corner, Royal Wootton Bassett Town had several opportunities to clear the ball, but it was eventually bundled in by Paul Litt to make it 4-0. There would be a late consolation goal for Royal Wootton Bassett though, Jamie Saunders scoring from the penalty spot to make the final score 4-1. Your Sport Swindon were there with their cameras and subscribers can view the highlights by clicking on the link below or by accessing from the Your Sport Swindon page of the website where all other games in the League covered by Your Sport Swindon can also be accessed.

Stratton Juniors and FS Swindon met the same night at Moredon with both teams looking to register their first points of the season. In the end it was mission accomplished for both sides as they both scored the one goal to share the points, Matt Bown scoring for Stratton Juniors and Craig Leeder with the FS Swindon goal.

Mid Wiltshire Division

There were just two games played in the Mid Wiltshire Division this week with Storm Bert putting paid to all games scheduled to be played on grass pitches.  On Tuesday night at Green Lane, Westbury United recorded their biggest win of the season with a 6-1 home success over Amesbury Junior Badgers. Wayne Wheeler helped himself to a hat-trick, player-manager Phillip Hampson bagged a brace with Mark Young getting the other Westbury goal, Mark Rider with the consolation goal for Badgers. The win for Westbury saw them consolidate their fourth place position and move to within two points of the three sides who sit at the top of the table.

The only other game played was on Friday night at Warminster where Warminster Town’s visitors were Bishops Cannings. Warminster have certainly found their form after an indifferent start to the season, and they are now unbeaten in seven games in all competitions and recorded their fourth straight win in the league.

This coming week attention turns to the Quarter Finals of the Wiltshire Veterans' County Cup with the holders Nationwide home to Chiseldon, and last season's beaten finalists Cricklade Town hosting Penhill United at Cirencester. ExIntel are home to Mid Wiltshire Division side Trowbridge Town Tigers and there is then an all Mid Wiltshire Division tie between Bishops Cannings and Westbury United on Friday.

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1 December 2024