The AGM of of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League took place on Wednesday 12th June 2024 at the Towcester Suite, Coleview Community Centre, Towcester Road, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon. The meeting started with a minutes silence for the two members of the League Committee who had passed away during the season, former League President and Chairman Dennis Kilford and Vets & U18 Referees Secretary Colin Nunn.

The meeting that followed saw the proposed constitution for the Premier Division and Division One approved, with 18 teams set to participate in the Premier Division and Division One set to increase to 16 teams. The Premier Division includes two sides, Park United and Faringdon Town promoted from last season's Division 1 and Letcombe promoted under the pyramid agreement with the Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 2's. The final new side are Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves who join from the Hampshire Combination & Development League which they won by 13 points last season, losing just three of their 28 league games, whilst also lifting the Wiltshire Junior Cup. With Faringdon Town set to have floodlights installed, Trowbridge currently fundraising for lights to also be installed in the Autumn, the addition of Bemerton means that 12 sides will hopefully have operational floodlights next season, helping with maintaining an 18 team top division. Were Pewsey Vale and Shrivenham to receive support to repair their lights that number could increase further to 14 meaning the League should continue the trend of the past two seasons in being in a position to provide a promotion candidate to Step 6 come the end of the season. On that note, Amesbury Town have been promoted to the Wessex League having won our Premier Division last season, whilst Ludgershall Sports have been relegated to Division One after a tough season back in the Premier Division.

The expanded Division One sees three new clubs join the League, two sides Down Ampney and Redhouse moving across from the Swindon & District League and Bradford Town Res joining from the Trowbridge & District League. Whilst eligible for promotion to the Premier Division, assuming ground grading work was completed, Bradford Town Res have opted to join our Division One. The full finalised make up of the two divisions for Season 2024-25 is as follows:

Premier Division

Bemerton Heath Harlequins Res

Blunsdon

Calne Town Res

Faringdon Town

Kingsdown

Kintbury Rangers

 Larkhall Athletic Dev

Letcombe

Malmesbury Victoria Dev

Melksham Town Res

Park United

Pewsey Vale

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev

Salisbury Dev

Shrewton United

Shrivenham

Trowbridge Town

Wroughton

Division 1

Bishops Cannings

Bradford Town Res

Bratton

Cricklade Town

Devizes Town Res

Down Ampney

Kingsdown Dev

Kintbury Rangers Dev

Lambourn Sports

Ludgershall Sports

Marlborough Town

Pewsey Vale Dev

Purton

Redhouse

Shrivenham Dev

Stratton Juniors

The Under 18 Division for next season will run with twelve, sides.  The Division for next season sees three sides from last season, runners-up Royal Wootton Bassett Town, Kingsdown and Bristol Manor Farm not competing this coming season. However, the good news is that six new sides have applied to join, including a side from last season's Premier Division champions Amesbury Town. In addition to Amesbury, Bishops Cannings and Devizes Town return after a short absence, with Salisbury, Swindon Supermarine and Westbury United the other three new sides.  The agreed constitution of the U18 Division for Season 2024-25 is as follows:

Under 18 Floodlight Division

Amesbury Town

Bishops Cannings

Calne Town

Devizes Town

FC Chippenham Youth

Kintbury Rangers

Melksham Town

Radstock Town

Salisbury

Swindon Supermarine

Westbury Youth

Wims 11

The Veterans' divisions in Season 2024-25 will see 11 teams in the North Wiltshire Division and 12 teams in the Mid Wiltshire Division. In the North Wiltshire Division, Swindon Old Boys will not be running next season but are replaced by two new sides, FS Swindon and Intel. In the Mid Wiltshire Division, all 11 sides that finished last season remain with the addition of Bishops Cannings taking the division back up to 12 teams, the same number as started last season. The agreed make up of the two divisions is as follows:

North Wiltshire Veterans' Division

AFC Swindon

Chisledon

Coate

Cricklade Town

FS Swindon

Intel

Penhill Utd

Redhouse

Royal Wootton Bassett Town

Stratton Juniors

Swindon Rovers FC

Mid Wiltshire Veterans' Division

Amesbury Junior Badgers

Bishops Cannings

Calne Town

Chippenham Town

Corsham Town

Devizes Town

Durrington

Melksham Town

Radstock Town

Trowbridge Town Tigers

Warminster Town

Westbury United

Women's Divisions

Season 2024-25 sees the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League take over the running of the Wiltshire Women's League and the league will kick-off the new era with two divisions, with a series of new sides being established who will be included in a Development Division. The make up of the two divisions will be as follows:

Premier Division

Bemerton Heath Harlequins

Calne Town

Durrington

FC Chippenham Youth

Highworth Town

Kingsdown

Melksham Town

Swindon Supermarine

Trowbridge Wanderers

Westbury Youth

Development Division

Bath Athena

Bemerton Heath Harlequins Res

Blunsdon Ladies

Ferndale Rodbourne

Kingsdown Dev

Malmesbury Victoria

Marlborough Town

Salisbury

Westbury Youth Res

Season Dates

The start and end dates for the various divisions were agreed to be as follows:

• Premier Division and Division One to commence on Saturday 3rd August 2024 and complete by Saturday 3rd May 2025.

• U.18’s Floodlight Division - To start from Monday 2nd September and be completed by week ending Friday 2nd May 2025.

• Veterans’ Divisions will commence from Monday 2nd September and complete by Friday 2nd May 2025.

• Womens's Divisions will commence on Sunday 1st September and complete by Sunday 4th May 2025.

The AGM ended with the traditional end of season awards. The winners for Season 2023-24 were as follows:

The Referees Appreciation Award Winner - Graham Hall

The Referees' Award was decided by the Hon League Referees' Appointments Secretary Darren O'Neil and Referee's Secretary Adie Cripps and for Season 2023-24 the winners shield was awarded to Graham Hall who covered an impressive 31 games across the Premier Division, Division One and the U18 Division last season. Congratulations to Graham on his award, which was presented on the night by Darren O'Neil, and we look forward to seeing Graham at our games again next season.

The Young Referee of the Year Award Winner - Jamie Biddlecombe

The second Referees' Award for the past season, again decided by the Hon League Referees' Appointments Secretary Darren O'Neil and Referee's Secretary Adie Cripps, was for the Young Referee of the Year. This award was presented by Life Member and former Registration Secretary Rod Wirdnam and for Season 2023-24 the award went to Andover based Jamie Biddlecombe.  On the back of last season's performances, Jamie has recently been promoted to Level 5 and did such a brilliant job as the man in the middle on last season's Fountains Trophies Cup FInal. Again well done to Jamie on his award and deserved promotion.

The Colin Nunn Veterans' Divisions Referee of the Year Award Winner - Paul Booth

A new award presented at this years' AGM was the Colin Nunn Veterans' Divisions Referee of the Year Award which has been established in memory of the popular Referee's Appointment's Secretary who sadly passed away during the season. Once again the winner was decided by Darren and Adie and the shield was presented by two of Colin's children, Danielle and Fraser, with Colin's widow Michelle also in attendance. The inaugural winner of the award was Paul Booth.

Presentation of the inaugural Colin Nunn Veterans' Division Referee of the Year Award to Paul Booth. The shield was presented by Colin's daughter Danielle and son Fraser, with Colin's wife Michelle also present to witness the presentation of the shield carrying her husband's name.

The EC Mills Sportsmanship Trophy Winners - Salisbury Development

In a change to the way the Sportsmanship prize money was distributed, rather than having a top five encompassing all five divisions, this AGM saw a winner and a runner-up from each category of division declared separately. In each case the winner picked up £125 and the runners-up £75. The marks for these awards are given by referees and by opposing clubs and adjusted to an assumed figure of 30 games per team. The overall winner across the five divisions then receives the EC Mills Sportsmanship Trophy. The respective winners and overall winner for Season 2023-24 were as follows:

Premier Division
Runners Up - Shrivenham (275 marks and receive £75)
Winners - Salisbury Dev (276 marks and receive £125)

Division 1
Runners Up - Faringdon Town (262 marks and receive £75)
Winners - Pewsey Vale Dev (273 marks and receive £125)

U18 Youth Floodlight Division
Runners Up - Melksham Town (258 marks and receive £75)

Winners - Wims 11 (259 marks and receive £125)

Veterans' Division
Runners Up - Amesbury Junior (268 marks and receive £75)

Winners - Calne Town (269 marks and receive £125)

Highest marked Club and winners of the E C Mills Sportsmanship Award
Salisbury Development

The Club Secretary’s Award Winner - Ian Thomas (Royal Wootton Bassett Town)

The Club Secretary's Award, which is voted on by five of the League's officers, was won by Ian Thomas from Royal Wootton Bassett Town with an impressive score of 196 points out of a maximum of 200. However, it was a really close run thing with previous winner Nikki Jeffery from Pewsey Vale finishing just one point behind Ian and a point ahead of Kathy Crisp (Trowbridge Town), Kevin Hegg (Shrivenham) and Chris Benson (Faringdon Town). There were then a further four Secretaries just one point beind those three in joint sixth place, the closest finish in many a season.

The Top 6 Secretaries and their respective points was as follows:

1. Ian Thomas (Royal W. Bassett Town) - 196 Points

2. Nikki Jeffery (Pewsey Vale) - 195 Points

3.= Kathy Crisp (Trowbridge T), Kevin Hegg (Shrivenham) & Chris Benson (Faringdown T) - 194 Points

6.= Barry Clift (AFC Swindon), Simon Bradbury (Amesbury Junior Badgers), Brendon Rice (Malmesbury Vics ) and Chris Ricketts (Redhouse) - 193 Points

A big thank you to all the Club Secretaries for their efforts over the season.

The following is the list of known pre-season fixtures and results involving sides from the Premier Division and Division One of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League.

The new football season in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League gets underway this coming weekend with the Premier Division once again starting with 18 teams and it is hoped that this time round all 18 go the distance.

Making their debut in the Premier Division this weekend will be promoted sides Faringdon Town, Letcombe and Park. The other new side to the division Bemerton Heath Harlequins are without a game, their fixture against Shrivenham being unable to take place due to a charity event at Shrivenham’s ground and the Harlequins first team being at home in the FA Cup. The two sides will now play each other over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Last season’s champions Amesbury Town have been promoted to the Wessex League whilst Ludgershall were relegated to Division One but unfortunately yesterday announced they would be withdrawing from the league due to a lack of commitment from players meaning Division One will run with 15 teams.

So going into the new season what can we expect from the Premier Division sides, looking at them in the order they finished last season.

Last season’ s runners-up Kintbury Rangers are under new management with Danny Langford having stepped down to be replaced by Chris Collin with Mark James remaining part of the management team. With last season’s top two scorers Jake Allan (12 goals) and the Division’s leading scorer last season George Armstrong (42 goals) both having committed for the coming season Kintbury certainly have the fire power to go one better than last season and achieve a second Premier Division title having won the league back in Season 2017-18. In fact, most of last season’s successful squad have returned to the Recreation Ground for this coming season. Kintbury had what looked to be a tough looking fixture to start the campaign with a visit from Larkhall Athletic Development, who finished fourth last season and also made the final of the Fountain Trophies Cup. However, Larkhall have called off saying they are unable to raise a side despite their first team not having a league fixture and will be subject to discipline action. Kintbury will now start the season with another potential tricky game in midweek against Shrivenham who had a much improved second half to last season.

Pewsey Vale have finished in the top three in each of the last three seasons and were also top of the table in Season 2020-21 at the time the season was brought to a premature end. They are another side who will be under new management this season with Craig Kent having departed to take over Western League side Calne Town, a club he previously served as a player. Kent has been replaced by a management team led by former player Mark Field that also includes club captain Liam Edmondson and Adi Holcombe. With Pewsey another side to retain most of last season’s side, including the influential James Guthrie, expect them to once again be up there challenging for honours. They start their season with a home game against Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development and then entertain Trowbridge Town in midweek. Pewsey will once again field a nice blend of both experience in the shape of Edmondson, Guthrie and Ryan Banks, and youth with the likes of Rory and Ben England.

With their 3G pitch still under construction Larkhall will be forced to play away from home for the opening month of the season. The club had hoped to have been promoted to Step 6 and with the Hellenic League losing numbers had actively petitioned the FA at Wembley to be allowed to take the place of some of the sides leaving the Hellenic League, something the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League would not have objected to. However, the FA stood by their principle of only taking one side form each feeder league and hence Larkhall are once again in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League for Season 2024-25. With a number of the squad having expected to be in a Step 6 league, they have lost a few players but with manager James Riccio, who remains in charge at Larkhall, having the ability and contacts to call on students from Bath University they are expected to once again be amongst the leading sides once again. They have, however, called off their opening fixture away at Kintbury Rangers saying they are unable to raise a side despite the first team not having a league fixture. Larkhall will now start with a visit to Shrewton United on Tuesday.

Trowbridge Town’s defence of the title they won in Season 2022-23 did not start too well last season and they spent much of the first half of the season in the bottom half of the table due to multiple postponements and narrow defeats. However, an impressive run of form after the turn of the calendar year saw them slowly climb the table to eventually finish in fifth spot. With heavy fundraising efforts in train to try and install floodlights to facilitate promotion to Step 6 at the end of the season, the pressure will be on the new manager Sam Houkes to get off to a good start. Last season’s joint top scorers James Rustell and George Bendle both return for another season at Woodmarsh. Trowbridge will start as one the favourites for the league title based on the form they showed at the end of last season and the fact that they have retained the majority of that squad from last season. Trowbridge open their campaign away to newly promoted Faringdon Town in what should be a good test for the newly promoted side.

Mark Simpkins remains in the dugout at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development although last season’s assistant Jonathan Davis has stepped away to be replaced by last season’s Under 18 Floodlit Team manager Gavin Cook. Last season’s top scorer Nathaniel Bell and regular Matthew Capel have left to join Craig Kent at Calne Town, but Simpkins has brought in some experienced firepower to replace last season’s top scorer in the shape of Dale Richards and Ryan Withers, two players who were both part of the club’s title winning side in Season 2022-23, Richards netting 35 times that season. Expect the rest of the side to have a youthful feel to it although the majority of the side will now have at least one or two seasons at this level. Royal Wootton Bassett have that trip to Pewsey to start their season before entertaining Blunsdon on Tuesday night at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground.

Season 2023-24 was an excellent one for Melksham manager Justin Flowers who did not experience the previous season’s relegation concerns this time round, spending most of the season in the top half of the table and eventually securing a seventh-place finish. His side then rounded off the season with an impressive performance in the final of the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup to win the cup for the fourth time.

They certainly saved their best form for the cup competitions, also making it through to the semi-final of the Wiltshire Senior Cup, eventually going out to Premier Division champions Amesbury Town. Most of last season’s cup final winning side, including cup final goal scorers Josh Bright and Elliott Haffenden, have once again signed for the yellow and black and Justin Flowers' side could well be challenging for the league title this coming season. Melksham open with two home games against Malmesbury Vics Dev and Kingsdown.

Similar to Trowbridge Town, another side who had a good second half to the season in Season 2023-24 were Shrivenham. Glenn Horsell’s young side, with a years’ experience now behind them at this level, will be looking to kick-on and maintain the form they showed in the second half of last season which saw them win away at eventual champions Amesbury Town. The side could well challenge for honours this season in what is looking to be a very competitive division. Leading scorer Brad Hirst will once again be wearing the blue and white hoops although strike partner Finnlay Hopkins has stepped up to the Hellenic League Premier Division with Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Shrivenham start their season in midweek with that trip to Kintbury.

After their first season in the league following promotion from the Swindon & District League, which saw them finish fifth, Blunsdon slipped four places in the table last season but on their day were capable of taking points off the leading sides. Joint managers Ian Rosewell and Troy Prentice remain in charge at Sutton Park for the new campaign. Top scorers Danny Hale and Nick Craft have both re-signed as has Harrison Ellis, probably the best goalkeeper in the division. The club have a settled squad and if they can get off to a decent start, they could well emulate that top five finish in that opening campaign. They are without a game on the opening day and start with that visit to Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development in midweek.

Adrian Wilkinson and his side had a difficult season with fixtures last season with teams calling off against them due to being unable to raise a side coupled with issues with the pitch at Southbrook Rec. The former issue should hopefully be solved by the policy change not to suspend points deductions this season and the second issue has been addressed by scheduling more home games at the start which also helps deal with the lack of availability of other grounds. On their day last season Kingsdown were more than capable of beating the top sides in the division, as evidenced by the double they did over runners-up Kintbury Rangers. However, in the end a backlog of fixtures caught up with them and they eventually finished in 10th spot, although they were just four points off a top six finish in a congested middle of the table. They will look to improve on that in their second season in the Premier Division. Key player Antonio Gerrish is back for another season, as are keeper Dan Lawrence and skipper Tyler Wilkinson . 

Season 2024-25 sees the return of Ben Jarrett to the Wroughton manager position where he will be joined by last season’s Cricklade Town manager Nick Salter. Despite a number of clubs seeking to sign last season’s top scorer Jonathan Peachey-Score, who netted 33 goals in 23-24, Peachey-Score is once again back in the blue and white of Wroughton for another season. Also retained are the experienced Aaron Maximen, Jonny Davoille, Max Scholefield and Luigi Hernandez along with a number of promising youngsters.  Wroughton will be looking to get off to a good start and aiming for a top five finish this season. They start the season away at Shrewton United and follow this up with a home game against Malmesbury Vics Dev.

Tom Boakes will be the sole man in charge of Calne Town Reserves this coming season after sharing the role last season. Expect Calne to once again be a young side this coming season. Last season’s leading scorer Sean Bailey, who hit 16 goals, has re-signed for another season as have Ryan Flynn, Samuel Jones, Ben Wootten, Jack Fry, Harry Stiles and Harrison Sartin who, like Bailey, all made over 20 appearances last season. Calne start the season with a visit from league newcomers Letcombe in what will be this weekend’s featured match. They follow this up on Tuesday night with another home game against a promoted side with Park United the visitors. 

Shrewton are one of a number of sides under new management this season with George Plank taking over from club secretary Sam Mortimer in the dugout. Whilst Shrewton United were once again to finish in 13th place in Season 2023-24, it was a much less stressful season than the previous one with Shrewton only slipping down the table to that 13th place finish right at the end of the season as the teams around them caught up with their fixtures. Shrewton finished a comfortable 13 points clear of the bottom two positions and their safety was never really in doubt. With a new manager coming on board for Season 2024-25 and having retained leading scorers Lewis Cross and Chalie Utterson they will be hopeful of a much higher finish this time round. 

Malmesbury are another side, like Larkhall, who will have to spend the month of August on the road, with their pitch having been re-laid during the summer. Rob Needham remains in the managerial seat for another season, and he will be hoping for an improvement in results as they spent the whole of last season at the wrong end of the table, but they were never in danger of relegation, eventually finish in 14th place, some ten points clear of second from bottom Salisbury Development. Towards the end of the season youngster Beau Hicks was in fine goal scoring form which Needham will be hoping carries on into the new season and Malmesbury have also retained the services of last season’s leading scorer Joe Tranter. With Malmesbury first team having been promoted to the Hellenic Premier Division the Development Team are expected to be a stronger proposition this coming season. Malmesbury start with that away game at Melksham Town Reserves followed by a trip to Wroughton in midweek. 

Season 2023-24 was to be another season where Salisbury struggled at the wrong end of the table and, in the end, they were to finish second from bottom and in one of the relegation positions. However, the decision to remain with 18 teams in the Premier Division and the fact that no sides from the two District feeder leagues had applied for promotion meant they were given a reprieve. After two seasons of struggle, they will be hoping that Season 2024-25 sees an improvement in results for the young Salisbury side under manager Nick Edwards. They were very competitive towards the back end of last season and will hope that form continues into the new season. Leading scorer Dyllan Roocroft will be back in the white and black for Salisbury looking to beat last season’s tally of 12 goals. Salisbury start the season with a trip into Swindon to take on Kingsdown and follow that with a local derby fixture against Bemerton Heath Harlequins in midweek.

And now to the four new clubs........ 

In recent seasons Bemerton have been playing in the Hampshire Combination and Development League and after initially struggling at the wrong end of the table for a number of seasons things picked up considerably in the last two seasons before joining the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. They had actually been second in the table at the time that Covid brought the 2019-20 Season to a premature end, but this was followed by two seasons again at the wrong end of the table. However, the arrival of new manager Jay Madden once again saw a dramatic improvement in their fortunes. A third-place finish in Season 2022-23 was followed by a title winning success in Season 2023-24, with Bemerton winning 24 of their 28 league games to finish an impressive 13 points clear of second placed United Services Portsmouth. Bemerton have opted to come across to the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League for Season 2024-25 with ambitions to play at Step 6 which could not be achieved by remaining in the Hampshire Combination and Development League. As well as achieving that league title last season they also won the prestigious Wiltshire Junior Cup, defeating Bratton in the final, and will start as one of the title favourites in Season 2024-25. 

Faringdon's first season in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League would prove to be a successful one. Leading Division One for much of the season they eventually had to settle for second place in the table, two points behind champions Park United. They also made the Quarter Final of the Fountain Trophies Cup, where they were knocked out by the cup holders Larkhall Athletic Development but had the honour of being the Division One side who went furthest in the competition. They have a new manager in the dugout for their first season in the Premier Division with Nicky Smith the new man in charge. They have a tough opening fixture at home to Trowbridge Town which will be a good barometer of how well they are likely to do at the higher level before then meeting another promoted side Letcombe in midweek. Leading scorer Kyle Bowyer has re-signed for another season.

Season 2022-23 saw Letcombe finish as runners-up to Swindon Supermarine Development in Hellenic League Division 2 South. Last season, whilst up against most of the same teams, the division was rebranded as the Central Division with Letcombe going one better and finishing as champions of the division, losing just two games all season and finishing an impressive ten points clear of runners-up Headington Amateurs. The title success also entitled the club to take promotion to the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League under the pyramid agreement established between the Wiltshire Senior League and Hellenic League. Letcombe have a reputation for giving youngsters a chance with a number of 16 and 17 year old players always on their books. The key to the Club's future is keeping them together for a number of years. They are an ambitious club who are keen to return to the Hellenic League at Step 6 with plans for floodlights in progress which would enable elevation from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. Expect them to be challenging for honours in Season 2024-25 in what is shaping up to be a very competitive division with a number of clubs looking to move up to Step 6. 

A successful first season in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League saw Park United involved in a close title race with Faringdon Town and Purton. Going into the final fixtures there were just three points separating the sides although Faringdon had a game in hand, and any of the three could still win the league. Faringdon drew their first game against Bratton and a 4-0 win for Park over Shrivenham Dev saw them claim the title. Manager Darren Moss has assembled a strong squad ahead of the new season with plenty of experience at this level and are expected to do well in their first season in the Premier Division. Pre-season games saw them defeat last season's champions Amesbury Town. 

Going into the new season there are no real clear favourites and it is looking like it could be a closely contested title race in the league’s 49^th season. Best wishes to all the clubs for a successful season. Your Sport Swindon's Harrison Burridge has interviewed the managers form Kingsdown, Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Shrewton United ahead of the new season and subscribers can read his exclusive interviews by clicking on the link below: 

  Saturday 3rd August 2024

A Winning Start To The 

Season For Letcombe

Action from the Letcombe's 2-0 away win at Calne Town Reserves

Premier Division

The 49^th Season in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League got underway on a bright and sunny afternoon on the first weekend in August with six games in the Premier Division and seven in Division One.  

In the Premier Division, two of the four promoted sides were in action, and it was a day of mixed fortunes for the new boys. Letcombe, promoted from the Hellenic League Division 2, made their debut in the league away at Calne Town Reserves. They started brightly and nearly went in front on eight minutes when centre forward Ben Cleary got behind the Calne defence down the left flank, but he left himself too acute an angle and his shot ended up running parallel to the goal along the six-yard box and was cleared to safety. They didn’t have to wait too long to break the deadlock though as two minutes later they were in front. A miskick from Calne keeper Lewis Clarke went straight to Kieran Kerby 25 yards out from goal and Letcombe’s right winger fired it back into an empty net to give his side the lead. Kerby went close to getting a second ten minutes later when put through his shot to the far side of the goal came back off the outside of the far post and was cleared to safety. Letcombe were on top for most of the opening half but were finding it difficult to create any clear-cut chances as the hard-working Calne defence frustrated them in the final third. The closest they went was just after the half hour mark when they managed to get behind the Calne defence but an excellent sliding tackle from Josh Morse denied Cleary a shot on goal just as he was about to let fire. The resulting corner came to nothing, and it remained 1-0. Calne started to come more into it as the half wore on but their only real shot on goal was a long-range effort from Morse eight minutes before the break. A minute later Calne’s Tom Gates looked like he might create a goal scoring opportunity but a fine challenge from Luke Faircloth prevented the shot and Letcombe went into the break one goal to the good having dominated most of the possession.

There were just three second half minutes on the clock when they doubled their lead and once again it was Kerby with the goal, the Letcombe forward firing into the bottom corner of the net with a powerful drive from the edge of the box after the ball was laid back to him by Cleary. Letcombe continued to have the better of things in terms of possession but, as in the first half, struggled to create any clear-cut chances. Calne’s task got more difficult when they were temporarily reduced to ten men 15 minutes from time when Morse was sent to the sin bin by the referee for dissent. Letcombe failed to take advantage of the extra man and Morse returned to the action with the score still 2-0. Right at the end Calne went close to reducing the deficit when substitute Ben Wootten headed just over but there were to be no further goals as it finished 2-0 to Letcombe and a victory on their league debut. Photos from the game can be found on the League's Facebook Group Page.

The other new side making their Premier Division debut were last season’s Division One runners-up Faringdon Town who entertained 2022-23 league champions Trowbridge Town at Tucker Park. It was a tight cagey affair from the off with neither keeper being tested in the opening 15 minutes. The first real chance of the half when it came fell to Trowbridge, George Bendle and Jake Samuel combining and the latter’s header going just wide of the post. Trowbridge were now starting to get on top but were unable to find away through and with half an hour gone it remained goalless. Just after the half hour mark Trowbridge were temporarily reduced to ten men when, Josh Howe was sent to the sin bin, this after just having won his side a free-kick. When Howe returned to the fray ten minutes later it remained 0-0 but not for long. The deadlock was finally broken two minutes from the interval, a ball over the top finding overlapping full back Lewis Wayman who brought the ball down before hitting a shot across the keeper and into the top corner of the net to make it 1-0 to Trowbridge at the break.  The second half saw Trowbridge continue to have the better of things but unable to add to their tally. With the game moving into its closing stages Faringdon went in search of an equaliser and went close to achieving it on a couple of occasions only to be denied by a series of excellent saves by Trowbridge keeper Cameron Miller. Miller and his defence held out to secure a narrow opening day victory as manager Sam Houkes bagged his first league win as Trowbridge manager.

There was an entertaining affair down at Shrewton United where Wroughton were United’s visitors to the Recreation Ground. The home side took an early lead when on ten minutes last season’s leading scorer Lewis Cross fired home after Charlie Jackson’s shot fell to him in the box. The lead did not last long though as three minutes later Wroughton were back on level terms and no surprise as to the scorer, Jonathan Peachey-Score opening his account for the season firing in from a tight angle after some neat interplay. It remained all square until a minute before the break and it was to be the visitors who would go into the interval with a narrow lead. A ball over the top found Peachey-Score whose excellent control saw him volley into the net for 2-1 and his second of the game. The second half was just three minutes old when Shrewton got themselves back on level terms, Lewis Cross capitalising on a goalkeeping error to level matters up at 2-2. However, after getting themselves back in the game, Shrewton conceded again within a minute of their equaliser and once again it was Peachey-Score with the Wroughton goal giving him an opening day hat-trick. Shrewton pushed for another equaliser and went close on a couple of occasions, but Aaron Maximen made sure of all three points for the visitors when he headed in from a corner to make the final score 4-2 to Wroughton.

Salisbury Development made the long journey to the north of the county for their opening day fixture away at Kingsdown hoping to have a much better season after spending last season at the wrong end of the table. They got off to a good start when Jack Stacey gave the south Wiltshire club an early lead. The lead did not last long though Ollie While curling in a free kick to level matters up. Kingsdown went in front for the first time in the game just after the half hour mark, a cross from Antonio Gerrish being turned into the net by Ollie Hunt for 2-1 to the home side. It remained just the one goal in it until 20 minutes from time when Antonio Gerrish fired in a free-kick from distance to make sure of all three points for Kingsdown.

Melksham Town Reserves final game of last season saw them lift the Fountain Trophies Cup and the opening day of the 2024-25 Season saw them carry on where they left off last season as they secured a 3-1 home win over Malmesbury Vics Development. Two goals for Kegam Smart and one from Sam Whitehead saw Melksham off to that winning start, Lewis King with the Malmesbury goal.

It was a similar score line at Pewsey Recreation Ground where Pewsey Vale, who had finished in the top three in each of the past three seasons, got their season off to a winning start at home to Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development. Last season’s leading scorer James Guthrie was the star of the show helping himself to a hat-trick, which included one from the penalty spot, Afonso Ferreira with the goal for the visitors.

There is a busy midweek of fixtures in the Premier Division this coming week. On Tuesday night Letcombe look to make it two wins from two when they entertain Faringdon Town. The same night, two sides who both won on Saturday, Pewsey Vale and Trowbridge Town meet at the Recreation Ground with one or both set to lose their 100% winning starts to the season. Early league leaders Wroughton will look to make it two from two when they entertain Malmesbury Vics Dev at the Weir Field. Also on Tuesday night, Calne Town Reserves will look to bounce back from that opening day defeat to Letcombe when they entertain last season’s Division One champions Park United who will be playing their first ever game in the Premier Division. Kintbury Rangers and Shrivenham are another two sides who will be playing their first games of the season when they meet at the Recreation Ground. Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves get their season off to a start in a big derby game against Salisbury Development who will be looking to bounce back from that opening day defeat at Kingsdown. Shrewton United host Larkhall Athletic Development at the Recreation Ground with the final game on Tuesday night at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground on the 3G where Blunsdon will be Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s visitors. The following night two sides who opened their season with 3-1 wins, Melksham Town Reserves and Kingsdown meet at the Oakfield Satdium.

Tues 6th & Weds 7th August 2024

Pewsey Vale, Wroughton, Letcombe

& Melksham T Res All Win Again

Action from the Pewsey's 7-0 win over Trowbridge Town

(picture courtesy of Alwyn Bodman)

Premier Division

A busy night of action on Tuesday evening in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with eight games being played.  

What looked to be the top match of the night was the game between Pewsey Vale and Trowbridge Town, who both won their opening games on Saturday, but it turned out to be a very one-sided affair with Pewsey hitting seven unanswered goals to make it two wins from two to open the season. Pewsey had the better of the opening 20 minutes and went in front after recent signing from Letcombe Josh Fowler dispossessed a Trowbridge defender in his own half and outpaced the defence down the left. His shot at the end of his run produced a fine save from Cameron Miller, but the ball fell right at the feet of a Brandon Vincent following up but his shot from point blank range was again well saved by the Trowbridge keeper. However, unfortunately for Trowbridge this time it fell nicely to James Guthrie who was following up and who made no mistake to add to the three goals he scored on Saturday. Pewsey then doubled their lead within a minute with an almost identical goal. Trowbridge again conceded possession in their own half straight from the kick-off to Rory England. The Pewsey youngster played a neat one two to get behind the Trowbridge back line, but his low powerful shot was saved by Miller but again he could only the parry the ball straight to Vincent and this time the Pewsey striker made no mistake to double his sides lead. Pewsey continued to press forward and just before the half hour mark a powerful shot from Fowler was well saved by Miller. Next up the influential Rory England had a shot from distance for Pewsey that went just over. It wasn’t all one-way traffic though George Bendle had a shot saved by Louie Latouche and there was then a moment of controversy just before half time. Following a Trowbridge corner the ball was initially cleared but a powerful shot back in struck a Pewsey player with appeals for handball, which were waved away by the referee. Pewsey then broke down the right-hand side through Fowler and he out paced the Trowbridge defence before cutting inside and then hitting a powerful shot into the bottom corner of the net for 3-0. Trowbridge had Josh Howlett sent to the sin-bin for disputing the non-award of the alleged handball which meant they would play the first nine minutes of the second half a man short.

Despite starting the half a man down, Trowbridge made a good start to the second half and had the better of the early exchanges. Three minutes in a header from Jake Samuel was saved by Latouche in the Pewsey goal with his feet and the follow up header from George Bendle was again saved and then cleared by his defence. Trowbridge had another great chance when keeper Latouche game rushing out to challenge Bendle but failed to clear, but the danger was averted by a great sliding tackle. Having survived the opening period when a man down without conceding Trowbridge continued to push to try and get a foothold back in the game. Twenty minutes from time Trowbridge had another good chance a ball into the box was met on the volley by Samuel but his effort went well over, and it remained 3-0. Having taken their foot off the gas Pewsey started to up their game again and they put the game beyond their opponents 15 minutes from time when another run down the left by Fowler was followed by a low powerful shot which was again only parried out by keeper Miller, this time into the path of Rory England who fired in for 4-0. It went from bad to worse for Trowbridge eight minutes from time a fine individual goal from England who picked the ball up in his own half beat two Trowbridge defenders and then cooly picked his spot to shoot past Miller for 5-0 to Pewsey. Almost straight away from the kick-off Trowbridge conceded possession in their own half and a defence splitting pass saw Fowler in the clear and he stroked the ball into the far corner of the net to make it 6-0 within a minute of that fifth goal. That was not to be the end of Trowbridge’s miserable evening as they conceded again in injury time, a ball into the box from England was met on the volley by substitute Jake Collis to make the final score 7-0 and send Pewsey top of the early league table.

Another side to hit seven goals on Tuesday night and also record their second straight win were Ben Jarrett’s Wroughton side. On Saturday Jonathan Peachey-Score had scored a hat-trick at Shrewton United and on Tuesday night he went one better netting four times in Wroughton’s 7-2 win over Malmesbury Vics Development. Aaron Maximen also scored for the second game running with further Wroughton goals coming through Luigi Hernandez and Alex Hammond, Lewis King and substitute Edward Greenouff with the consolation goals for Malmesbury. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view the highlights by clicking on the link below or using the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the website where you can also access all games that have been covered by Your Sport Swindon.

Letcombe also made it two wins from their opening two games with a comfortable 3-0 win over near neighbours Faringdon Town. They went in front on 25 minutes a long clearance from keeper Harry Whitehead was misjudged by his opposite number Jack Gibson in the Faringdon goal, Letcombe winger Xavi Diaz reacted quickest and his cross into the area was met by Ben Cleary who headed in for 1-0. Faringdon fell further behind ten minutes before the break, Josh Forth losing control in his own box giving Keiran Kerby a simple tap in for his third goal of the week. It remained 2-0 at the break. Any chance of Faringdon getting back into the game was effectively ended two minutes after the restart, Diaz capitalising on another error from Faringdon and running at the visitor’s defence before firing past Gibson for 3-0. Two games, two wins and two clean sheets for Letcombe as they make a great start to their time in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League.

Park United got their tenure in the Premier Division off to a winning start with a 5-1 away win at Calne Town Reserves. Ben Pring led the way for Park, bagging a brace, with further goals coming from Lewis McCarron, Zac Hillier and Jamie Norman, Jack Smith with the consolation goal for Calne.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town bounced back from their opening day defeat away at Pewsey with an impressive 4-0 home win over Blunsdon on the 3G at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground. They took the lead when a first time Mani Mesas ball into the box was turned in by Dale Richards on his returned from a couple of seasons at Malmesbury Vics. They went close to extending their lead when a Ben Spackman cross was headed onto the crossbar and then when a curling effort from Flynn Walters drew a great save from the Blunsdon keeper Luke Kuczynski. The home side were not to be denied though, Richards fed Walters who hit a superb dipping shot into the top corner of the net giving Kuczynski no chance to make it 2-0 at half time to Royal Wootton Bassett Town. The home side went close to extending their lead further in the second half when Walters hit the crossbar with another effort cutting in from the left. It was not all one-way traffic though and Blunsdon had claims for a penalty midway through the half when a player went down in the box, but these were waved away by the referee. The home side eventually extended their lead further in somewhat fortuitous circumstances, a cross from the right from George Lance deceiving the Blunsdon keeper and ending up in the back of the net for 3-0. Flynn Walters then rounded off an impressive man of the match performance with another superb strike into the roof of the net from the edge of the box to make the final score 4-0 as Mark Simpkins’ side picked up their first points of the season. Your Sport Swindon were again at this game and subscribers can view highlights by clicking on the link below.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins opened their campaign in the Premier Division with a short trip up the road to take on near neighbours Salisbury Development. It was to be a winning start for Bemerton as goals from Liam Greenough and Joshua Hoey secured a 2-0 win over the young Salisbury side.   

Shrewton United bounced back from their opening day defeat at the hands of Wroughton with a comfortable 3-0 win over Larkhall Athletic Development. Shrewton went in front ten minutes before the break, a long clearance from keeper Sam Gates found Charlie Jackson who lobbed the Larkhall keeper to give his side a 1-0 lead at the break. Shrewton then doubled their lead on the hour mark, a cross from Cameron Wildman was laid back by Sam Mortimer to Lewis Cross who netted for his third of goal of the season. It remained 2-0 until the last minute of the match when substitute Aidan Beardsley was put through one-on-one with the keeper and he made no mistake to make the final score 3-0 to Shrewton avenging the two defeats they suffered at the hands of Larkhall at the back-end of last season.

Last season’s runners up Kintbury Rangers had been very disappointed when Larkhall Athletic cried off against them on Saturday but finally got their season up and running on Tuesday night when they entertained Shrivenham. It was to prove to be a tight affair from start to finish and with neither side able to make a breakthrough and the two teams had to settle for a point apiece.

The following night the two remaining sides, Melksham Town Reserves and Kingsdown, were in action at the Oakfield Stadium. Both teams went into the game on the back of 3-1 wins on Saturday looking to preserve their 100% winning start to the season. That honour was to go to Melksham as a hat-trick from Elliot Haffenden and a second of the season from Sam Whitehead secured a 4-2 win for Justin Flowers side. Antonio Gerrish and Ollie While with the Kingsdown goals.

Saturday 19th August 2024

Pewsey Vale & Wroughton March On 

At The Top, Bemerton Win Again

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..

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.

Tues 13th & Weds 14th Aug 2024

Busy Midweek In Both Divisions

See Unbeaten Starts Ended

Action from Kingsdown's 3-0 win over RWBT Dev

Premier Division

It was a busy week of midweek action in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with games in both the Premier Division and Division One. In the Premier Division three teams went into their games having won all of their opening fixtures but all three were to drop points in midweek, although Wroughton, one of the three, retained their unbeaten start to the season. This was achieved following a 0-0 draw against close friends and rivals Shrivenham in the battle of the blue and white hoops at the Weir Field. Shrivenham are becoming the draw specialists in the division having now drawn all three of their opening games. The point for Wroughton was enough to send them clear at the top of the table due to results elsewhere.  

Pewsey Vale made the journey to the south of the country looking to defend their 100% winning start to the season against an in-form Shrewton United. After losing their opening game of the season Shrewton had bounced back with victories against Larkhall Athletic Development and Kingsdown. They started brightly going in front as early as the fifth minute of the game, Lewis Cross on his return to the side getting on the end of a Joe Spratt cross. Pewsey go themselves back into the game just before the hour mark, a defensive mix-up at a corner allowing Jake Collis a simple tap in. They were not on level terms for long though, as Shrewton restored their lead within ten minutes of the equaliser, Jordon Cross getting on the end of flick by James Collins from a long throw to head home for 2-1. Shrewton then made sure of the points 15 minutes from time from the penalty spot, Brennan Knowles making no mistake from the spot kick to give Shrewton a 3-1 lead. Shrewton then battled away until the end to make sure they did not concede again to secure all three points and move up to fourth place in the table level on points with Pewsey who remain in second place. Shrewton are back in action on Friday night when they take on another of the sides at the top end of the table Kintbury Rangers in a game brought forward following great collaboration between the two clubs.

The other side who started their midweek games with a 100% winning record were Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves who were at home to Melksham Town Reserves. Melksham had been heavily defeated at home by Kintbury Rangers on Saturday and manager Justin Flowers certainly got a positive reaction to that first defeat of the season from his players to inflict a first defeat on Bemerton, Melksham winning by the odd goal in five. On target for Melksham were Leo Rendell, Samuel Whitehead and Liam Brooks, James McSorley and Dean Reynolds with the Bemerton goals. The win for Melksham saw them move up to fifth place in the table, whilst Bemerton dropped three places in the table to eighth spot.

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

Letcombe sit third in the table after they recorded a big win over bottom of the table Blunsdon scoring seven times to record third and biggest win to date since joining the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. Star of the show was Ben Cleary who helped himself to a hat-trick, Keiran Kerby notched his fourth of the campaign and there were further goals from Aaran Mudie, Owen Shaw and Xavi Ziaz.

Last season’s runners-up Kintbury Rangers went into their game against Faringdon Town unbeaten and they maintained that unbeaten record with a 3-0 home win that saw them climb one place in the table to sixth spot. Last season Aidan Maycock had scored 17 goals for the Development side, and he has successfully stepped up to the first team this season scoring again on Tuesday night, adding to his goal against Melksham on Saturday, as did both Aaron Voller and Oliver Denner who also both scored for the second game running in the 3-0 win. As noted above Kintbury are back in action on Friday night under lights with that visit from Shrewton United.

New Trowbridge Town manager Wayne Thorne was in charge for his first game of the season on Tuesday night when his side traveled south to take on Salisbury Development. It was to be a winning start for the new manager as goals from Liam Milburn and Jamie Lyons secured a 2-0 win as Trowbridge made it two wins and a draw from their opening four fixtures.The only blemish on the night for Thorne was the bad injury picked up by goal scorer Milburn which could see him out of action for a couple of months following a bad challenge.

On Wednesday night Calne Town Reserves entertained Larkhall Athletic Development. Both sides went into the game looking for their first points of the season and both will have gone home happy to have got off the mark following a 1-1 draw, Jack Smith with the goal for Calne and Alfie Prescott with the Larkhall Athletic Development reply.

Wednesday night also saw Kingsdown rewarded for their efforts in switching the game against Royal Wootton Bassett Town to Southbrook Rec with a comfortable 3-0 win. All of the three goals came in the opening quarter of the game. Kingsdown went in front on nine minutes, a cross to the far post by Dan Jones was met by the head of Antonio Gerrish to put the home side 1-0 up. They doubled their lead nine minutes later. A ball over the top found Ollie While whose shot hit the post and traveled across the goal line and was adjudged to have crossed the line by the assistant referee, this despite the efforts of keeper Daniel West to prevent the ball crossing the line. The visitors were not at the races and almost conceded a third moments later after George Lance gave the ball away but this time the goal bound shot came back off the post and was cleared to safety. Kingsdown did not have to wait long for the third though, on 24 minutes the influential Gerrish hit a powerful shot from the edge of the box which nestled in the bottom corner of the net for 3-0 and his second of the game.  Kingsdown continued to press for more with the visitors really struggling to get into the game, but they managed to get to half time without conceding again. A much better second half performance from the visitors, with all the substitutes making a positive impact, avoided any further damage. They did however go close to conceding another when Ollie While had an audacious lob following a mishit clearance by the keeper that went to him just inside the opponent’s half, but his attempted lob from distance went just over. A second win of the season for Kingsdown who climbed into the top half of the table as a result of the win. More photos from this game can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

Division One

In Division One the early leaders of the division are Marlborough Town who are one of three unbeaten teams following their opening round of fixtures. On Wednesday night they made the short journey to near neighbours Pewsey Vale Development and picked up their second victory of the season scoring four unanswered goals. It was a good evening for the Womersley family with Tom scoring twice and Harry netting his second goal of the season, the other goal coming courtesy of an own goal. The win left Marlborough on seven points from their opening three games one point ahead of a cluster of teams on six points.

Redhouse sit second in the table building on Saturday’s big win over Pewsey Vale Dev with a 3-1 away win in the Swindon derby against Stratton Juniors on Tuesday night. It was all square at the break at one apiece but two second half goals secured all three points for Redhouse. There were three different scorers for Redhouse with Shrubb, Ricketts and Pithers all finding the net with the Stratton goal coming from its normal source with Corey Cullen bagging his second goal of the season. This Saturday sees Redhouse up against leaders Marlborough as the top two play each other at Elcot Lane, Marlborough.

There was a lively derby encounter at Green Lane, Devizes between Bishops Cannings and Devizes Town Reserves. The home side Bishops Cannings led 1-0 at the break thanks to a goal from Lleyton Edwards a minute before half time. They doubled their lead just before the hour mark through Oliver Barnes, but three late Devizes Town Reserves goals saw the visitors leave with all three points and local bragging rights. On target for Devizes were Finley Palmer with a brace and Cullen Wylie. The win for Devizes sees them join that cluster of teams on six points.

There were also plenty of goals in the game between Bratton and Bradford Town Reserves, the two sides sharing six goals and the points. Bratton led 2-1 at the break thanks to two headed goals from Drew Adams, the second coming on the stroke of half time, with Kieran Balchin having given visitors Bradford Town Reserves the lead before Adams bagged his brace. It remained 2-1 until 20 minutes from time when Corey Pugh restored parity. Ten minutes from time a mishit shot from Brandon Thompson put Bratton back in front but Balchin levelled things up again with his second of the game as it finished 3-3.

Down Ampney are one of those teams on six points after a 2-0 away win over Kingsdown Development thanks to goals from George Bailey and Steven Algar. That is two wins in two for Down Ampney on their return to the Wiltshire Senior League.

The final game of the week was on Thursday night at the Ian Richardson Football Ground where Lambourn Sports were looking to maintain their winning start to the season against Shrivenham Development and go top of the table. However, things did not go to plan as first half goals from Matt Slevin and Lewis Mokler saw Shrivenham lead 2-1 going into the closing stages. Although Lambourn pushed hard for the equaliser the young Shrivenham side held out to secure their first win of the season and deny Lambourn that top spot in the table.

Saturday 17th August 2024

Wroughton Win At Pewsey

To Retain Top Spot

Wroughton ahead of their 4-2 win at Pewsey Vale which saw them move a point clear at the top of the table

Action in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League got underway on Friday night under lights when Kintbury Rangers entertained an in-form Shrewton United side. Kintbury went into the game unbeaten in their opening three games with the chance of moving level on points with leaders Wroughton at the top of the table. After losing their opening game Shrewton had won three in a row including an impressive 3-1 win over Pewsey Vale in midweek. Kintbury had much the better of things in the first half, but the two teams turned around with the game still looking for that elusive goal. The second half continued in a similar vein, but the resolute Shrewton defence continued to frustrate the home side right until the final minute. However, the award of a penalty to Kintbury in the final minute of the game was to prove to be a pivotal moment. The leading scorer in the Premier Division last season, George Armstrong, stepped up to take the spot kick and fired into the bottom corner of the net to secure the three points which sent Kintbury level on points with leaders Wroughton at the top of the table ahead of Saturday’s round of fixtures.  

The top match of the day on Saturday was the meeting of the top two after the round of midweek games, Wroughton and Pewsey Vale, at Pewsey Recreation Ground. Wroughton went into the game unbeaten, and Pewsey had won three of their opening four fixtures, their only defeat a midweek reverse against Shrewton United. It proved to be an entertaining affair and with the two teams having quality strikers leading their respective lines there were plenty of well taken goals to entertain the crowd. Pewsey started brightly and went close with just two minutes on the clock, Andy Rossiter being denied by a save by Wroughton keeper Eddie Salsbury. However, it would be Wroughton who got themselves in front with just seven minutes gone. Awarded a free kick on the edge of the Pewsey 18-yard box, Aaran Maximen drilled the free-kick low and around the wall with the ball nestling in the bottom corner of the net to give Wroughton an early lead. Wroughton went close to doubling their lead on 18 minutes, a neat interchange between Maximen and Jonathan Peachey-Score nearly put Peachey-Score in the clear but Pewsey keeper Ben King was quick off his line to come and claim the ball to prevent his side going further behind. A minute later his side were back on level terms, leading scorer Josh Fowler hitting a powerful shot from 20-yards into the bottom corner of the net to level matters up.

Three minutes later the dangerous Fowler went close again, another powerfully hit shot coming back off the crossbar before being cleared. Wroughton broke quickly and went straight down the other end with devastating effect, Maximen setting up Peachey-Score with Wroughton’s leading scorer making no mistake to restore his sides lead. With just 25 minutes on the clock Wroughton were forced to make a change in goal, Salsbury suffering a recurrence of a leg injury which meant he was unable to carry on with outfield player Ryan Major taking over in goal. Just after the half hour mark the stand in keeper did well to deny James Guthrie an equaliser, Major turning Guthrie’s powerfully hit shot from just inside the 18-yard box over the bar. Wroughton extended their lead eight minutes before the break and once again Maximen and Peachey-Score were involved in the goal. An initial shot from Maximen was well saved by King in the Pewsey goal but the ball fell to Peachey-Score who fired in for his second of the game and 3-1 to Wroughton. Wroughton continued to press for more goals and Maximen went close a minute before half-time as he again combined with Peachey-Score but he was unable to find the net this time. Wroughton did have the ball in the net again before the half time whistle though, Peachey-Score shooting in after a neat passing move, but the goal was struck off by the assistant’s flag although it looked like Peachey-Score had timed his run to perfection. 3-1 at the break.

Pewsey came out for the second half in determined fashion and reduced the deficit within six minutes of the restart and it was no surprise that once again it was Fowler with the goal. A defence splitting pass saw the Pewsey striker outpace the Wroughton back line and hit an unstoppable shot past stand-in keeper Major to make it 3-2 and game on with just under 40 minutes still to play. However, the experienced Wroughton defence did a good job in restricting the home sides' opportunity to get shots in on their stand-in keeper and, with 18 minutes to go, gave themselves a bigger cushion with a fourth goal, Nathan Barbato cutting in from the left edge of the box and firing into the far corner of the net for 4-2. There were further chances at both ends, Fowler going close with a couple of shots from distance as he went in search of his hat-trick and Peachey-Score at the other end also looking to get a third goal of his own. There was to be no further goals though as Wroughton extended their unbeaten start to the season to five games. Pewsey meanwhile slipped down to fifth place due to results elsewhere.

More of pictures from this game can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

Elsewhere Letcombe’s excellent start to their first season in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League continued with a hard fought 2-0 away win against Melksham Town Reserves. Ben Cleary set them on their way dispossessing a Melksham defender and scoring with a neat finish to put Letcombe 1-0 up and register his fifth goal of the campaign. They doubled their lead through Xavi Diaz, the winger scoring his third of the season. It wasn’t all plain sailing though for the Berkshire based side, a second yellow card for Kieran Kerby saw Letcombe reduced to ten men early in the second half. With plenty of time to go Melksham had a big opportunity to get something out of the game but some resolute defending by the visitors ensured that keeper Harry Whitehead went home with a fourth clean sheet of the season. The three points for his side saw them move second in the table, a point behind leaders Wroughton. The win for Letcombe saw Kintbury Rangers slip a place to third in the table.

After their heavy defeat away at Pewsey Vale, Trowbridge Town have quickly turned things around and picked up their second win under new manager Wayne Thorne and their third win of the season with a comfortable 7-1 victory over Malmesbury Victoria Development. Leading 3-1 at the break thanks to goals from James Cox, James Rustell and Jamie Lyons, Trowbridge stepped it up in the second half scoring four more without reply. Two more for Cox as he completed his hat-trick, Jordan De Silva and George Bendle with the other Trowbridge goals, Beau Hicks with that first half goal for Malmesbury. The big win for Trowbridge saw them return their goal difference to a positive number undoing the damage from that Pewsey defeat as they moved up to fourth place in the table.

More of Alwyn's pictures from this game can be found on the LeagueFacebook Group page.

Blunsdon have had a tough start to the season with a number of key players missing from their opening games and ahead of their home fixture with Bemerton Heath Harlequins few would have predicted a first win of the season based on results to date. However, the return of a number of those key players saw Blunsdon return to form as they inflicted a second straight defeat for the Salisbury based side after they had lost to Melksham Town Reserves in midweek. Bemerton had a golden chance to get themselves in front on 25 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. However, Luke Kuczynski in the Blunsdon goal saved the penalty to keep the score at 0-0. There was to be just one goal in the game, and it came around the hour mark, Nick Craft scrambling the ball into the net following an Elliot Wheatley corner. Bemerton pushed for an equaliser, but Kuczynski and his defence held firm to register their first clean sheet and their first points of the season. The win for Blunsdon saw them climb off the bottom of the table whilst Bemerton remain in eighth spot.

More of Tony's pictures from this game can be found at www.efc.smugmug.com

After their impressive performance against Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development in midweek, it looked like Kingsdown were carrying on from where they left off on Wednesday night in their game against Calne Town Reserves. Leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Antonio Gerrish and Dan Jones it looked like Kingsdown would secure their third win of the season. The young Calne Town Reserves side, however, had other ideas and a storming comeback in the final 15 minutes saw them score three times to take the points. Two goals from Edward Oatley got them back on level terms before Ryan Flynn popped up with the winner to give Calne their first victory of the season which saw them move up to 12th place in the table.

Another side recording their first win of the season were Larkhall Athletic Development who returned from their visit to the 3G pitch at Stanley Park with all three points following a narrow 1-0 win over Park United. Park had a golden chance to go in front in the first half from penalty spot but Zac Hillier saw his spot kick saved by Joe Harper in the Larkhall goal. It remained 0-0 until 20 minutes from time when Tom Dowell rounded the Park keeper and squared for Alfie Prescott to tap in for his second goal of the week. There were chances at both ends after that but both defences held out to ensure that Larkhall went home with those three points as they moved up to 11th place as a result of the win.

The fourth side to pick up their first win of the season were Salisbury Development who inflicted a first defeat of the season on Shrivenham. Shrivenham had picked up three draws against three of the fancied sides to start the season and would have gone into what looked on paper the easier of their opening four fixtures hoping to get that first elusive win. However, things did not go to plan as goals from Harry Guy, Daniel Bazen and substitute Joshua Ngombi saw Salisbury pick up an excellent 3-2 win, Kieran Sutton and Charlie Hampson with the Shrivenham goals.

The final game of the weekend in the Premier Division was at Tucker Park where Faringdon Town entertained Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development. The visitors went in front on 12 minutes, Ryan Withers beating a defender on the right-hand side before hitting a shot across Faringdon keeper Jack Gibson into the net for 1-0. Faringdon restored parity around the half hour mark, a ball into the box finding Kyle Bowyer who took a touch before smashing in the equaliser. The visitors Royal Wootton Bassett had a couple of attempts on goal to restore the lead before the break, but the teams turned around at one goal apiece. Faringdon went in front for the first time in the game four minutes into the second half, an initial attempt on goal by Daniel Loyden coming back off a post and Matthew Bibby beating the recovering defenders to the rebound to put the ball away for 2-1 to Faringdon. It remained that way until nine minutes from time when Bowyer made sure of the points with his second of the game, receiving a pass from Jamie Tuck he beat his defender with his first touch before firing in with his second to make the final score 3-1 to Faringdon and a second win of the season.

Division One

The top match of the day in Division One was at Elcot Lane Marlborough where league leaders Marlborough Town's visitors were Redhouse, the team that started the day just below them in the table. The two sides produced an entertaining encounter with Redhouse probably arguing that a couple of contentious decisions did not go their way. The game opened with chances at both ends with Redhouse going closest to opening the scoring when a powerful shot from the edge of the area came down off the crossbar and was cleared to safety. It would not be long though before they did manage to find the back of the net, a break down the right-hand side ended with a ball across the box that eluded everyone and found Kieren Dunne at the far post who had a simple tap in to make it 1-0. Marlborough got themselves back on level terms when a defensive mix up saw Jake Farrell get clear of the defence and his well-placed side footed shot found the net for 1-1. Marlborough then went in front for the first time in the game when the Redhouse keeper was adjudged to have tripped Farrell in the box and a penalty awarded. The penalty was powerfully struck by Joshua De Souza giving the home side a 2-1 lead. The lead did not last long though as Redhouse hit back with a second goal of their own, a determined run down the left ended with a ball into the box that found Cameron Shrubb whose shot went under the Marlborough keeper’s body and into the net for 2-2. Marlborough would still go into the half time break with a lead though, Farrell restored their advantage with a curling shot from outside the box to make it 3-2 to Marlborough at half time. Early in the second half Redhouse thought they had pulled one back from a header following a corner but the flag from the referee’s assistant saw the goal disallowed. Marlborough extended their lead with a fourth goal and, whilst Redhouse reduced the deficit again when Cameron Shrubb outpaced Josh Connolly to score his second of the game, a second headed goal from a corner was to put Marlborough 5-3 up, the two headed goals coming through Harry Womersley and Connor Chilton. There was one more incident where Redhouse will feel they did not get the rub of the green, Shrubb going down in the box following a challenge but the penalty claims were waived away as it finished 5-3 to Marlborough who sit a point clear of Lambourn Sports and Devizes Town Reserves at the top of the table. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can watch the highlights of the game by clicking on the link below or clicking on the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where you can also access other games covered by Your Sport Swindon.

Lambourn Sports sit second in the table after they picked up their third win of the season with a narrow 2-1 victory over Stratton Juniors, the winner coming with virtually the last kick of the game. On target for Lambourn were Josh Riggs and Ben Parsons, Cory Cullen with the Stratton goal.

Devizes Town Reserves sit third level on points with Lambourn after they also picked up their third win of season, a 2-0 away win at Bradford Town Reserves thanks to goals from Jordan Anning and Josh Madle. Over 90 minutes separated the two goals, Anning getting his in the very first minute of the match and Madle wrapping up the points with the second deep in injury time with a powerfully hit shot into the far corner of the net.

Bratton moved up to fourth spot with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Pewsey Vale Development. They went in front with just six minutes on the clock thanks to an own goal, Kye Teague’s ball into the box going in off a Pewsey defender. They then doubled their lead two minutes later, a Sam McQueen ball into the box found Jack Booth who made no mistake to give Bratton an early 2-0 lead. Bratton made sure of all three points, Max Bishop smashing home a third after a scramble in the box to make the final score 3-0.

As with the game at Marlborough, there was another high scoring game in the division at Down Ampney where the home side and their visitors Bishops Cannings shared nine goals. In the end it was the visitors who edged it by the odd goal bringing Down Ampney’s winning start to the season to an end. Star of the show was Szymon Raczek who hit a hat-trick, Kieren Chivers and Ben Haffenden with the other goals for Bishops Cannings, two for Paddy Cripps and one apiece for Steven Algar and Harvey Coster in reply for Down Ampney.

Purton finally got their season underway when they entertained Kingsdown Development at the Red House under their new management team. It was not to be a winning start for Purton though, as a hat-trick from Ramon Faruq and further goals from Liam Geraghty and Eden Hewlett secured a 5-1 victory for Kingsdown, and their first win of the season. The consolation goal for Purton was scored by Bonsa Teshome.

There is again another busy midweek of fixtures in Division One this coming week and details of all the fixtures are shown below.

Tues 20th & Weds 21 August 2024

Another Busy Midweek Schedule

Sees Plenty of Goals

Action from Bemerton Heath Harlequins Res 3-2 win away at Shrewton United (picture courtesy of Tony Smith)

Premier Division

Wroughton started the night on Tuesday as league leaders as they made the short journey to the Sustain Stadium at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground to take on Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development. It didn’t start too well for the visitors as they found themselves trailing to two goals from Dale Richards and Ben Spackman. However, they got themselves a foothold back in the game following a free-kick into the box which was not dealt with by the home defence and put away by Jonny Davoille. Wroughton upped their game after the restart and got themselves back on level terms thanks to a Ryan Major goal after a determined run by Jonathan Peachey-Score found Major who made it 2-2. It got even better for Wroughton shortly after, a long punt up field should have been dealt with by keeper Dan West but as he came out to collect the ball, he was outjumped by Aaron Maximen who put the ball away to give Wroughton a 3-2 lead. After conceding two quick goals in succession the home side responded well and went in search of an equaliser. That third goal was to eventually come with Ben Spackman finishing off a good move for his second of the game and level matters up at 3-3. The home side then sensed the chance to inflict a first defeat of the season on the leaders and twice had the ball in the net only to see both goals struck-off by flags from the referee’s assistant. The first was after Mani Mesas had fired in and the second when Chris Head broke through and squared the ball back to Dale Richards to run onto and put away only for the goal to again be struck off for an offside flag.  In the end the two sides had to settle for a share of the points as Wroughton maintained their unbeaten start to the season and Royal Wootton Bassett Town moved onto four points, all of which have come at home so far this season.  

With Wroughton dropping points, Letcombe took full advantage to move above them to head the table following a 4-2 home win over Shrivenham. They took an early lead when a break down the left ended with a cross into the box from Kieran Kerby that found its way to Xavi Diaz at the back post, and he fired in for 1-0. However, Shrivenham were quickly back on level terms, James Hirst bringing his side back level. Letcombe were back in front though before the break, Ben Cleary capitalising on a defensive mistake to cooly stroke the ball into the net from the edge of the box for 2-1 to Letcombe at the break. Shrivenham got themselves back into the game for a second time early in the second half through Jacob Newdick who was returning from suspension following his sending off against Trowbridge. Having lost their lead for a second time Letcombe stepped up their game and a second of the game from Cleary and one from Jack Daley in a much improved second half performance saw them pick up three vital points to move top of the table with their fifth win in six games. Shrivenham who have had some tough fixtures to start the season, playing four of the current top six in their opening five games, will now go looking for their first win of the season when they entertain Park United on Saturday.

Shrewton United had a great start to their local derby against Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves in front of a bumper crowd of 154 at the Recreation Ground. They were in front within a minute of the start thanks to an individual goal from Lewis Cross. Bemerton got themselves back on level terms just before the half hour mark, Marcus Smith scoring from the edge of the box following a short corner routine and it remained 1-1 at the break. Josh Hoey then put Bemerton in front for the first time in the game early in the second half getting on the end of a ball to the far post to make it 2-1 to Bemerton. Bemerton sought to get a third, but it would be Shrewton who got the next goal, just after the hour mark, Charlie Utterson firing into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box. Parity did not last long though as Bemerton got themselves back in front 20 minutes from time, a ball into James McSorley saw him round the keeper and put the ball away to give Bemerton a 3-2 lead. Although Shrewton pushed for an equaliser that was to be the end of the night’s scoring as it finished 3-2 to Bemerton who moved level on points with their beaten opponents after an entertaining and sporting contest between the two sides which drew special praise from the referee after the game.

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

There was also an entertaining game at Woodmarsh where Trowbridge Town were up against one of the promoted sides Park United. It started well for the home side as they went in front with just nine minutes on the clock, former Trowbridge keeper Kierran Ramsey failing to hold a George Bendle shot and Nick Taylor being on hand to tap in the loose ball for 1-0 to Trowbridge.  Two minutes later Trowbridge doubled their lead and once again it was Taylor who did the damage, curling in a short from the left-hand side of the 18-yard box into the top corner of the net for 2-0. It remained that way until nine minutes before half time when Park pulled one back, Rhys Talmash controlling a ball to the edge of the box on his chest before smashing a right footed shot from just inside the box into the top corner of the net for 2-1. It remained that way at the break. Ten minutes into the second half Park were back on level terms, a ball over the top found Talmash who outpaced the Trowbridge back line and then lobbed Trowbridge keeper Cameron Miller.  Three minutes later it got even better for Park and Talmash in particular, another great strike from the edge of the box by Talmash flew into the top corner of the net to make it 3-2 to Park and a hat-trick for the Park striker.  Three became four for Talmash as a poor defensive header by Trowbridge saw the ball go straight to Talmash on the edge of the box who hit it on the volley to make it 4-2 to Park with another strike. Trowbridge sought to get themselves back in the game and pulled one back from a corner bundled in at the far post by Jake Samuel to make it 4-3. It remained that way as the game moved into injury time but there was to be late drama. Running into the area Kieran Baggs was brought down and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Something must have been said in the Park dugout as the assistant referee called over the referee Neil Hawker and a red card was shown. Eventually James Cox got to take the penalty looking to save a point for Trowbridge, but Ramsey in the Park goal came back to haunt his former club with a save that ensured a win for Park, with the referee blowing the final whistle almost immediately after the penalty save. A second win of the season for Park which saw them climb to tenth place whilst Trowbridge slipped to sixth place following their second defeat of the season.

More photos taken by Alwyn from this game can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

Melksham Town Reserves made the short journey along the A3102 and returned with all three points following a 3-1 win over Calne Town Reserves. Last season former Trowbridge Town player Ben Wickens scored 16 goals for Bradford Town in the Western League and has dual-signed with Melksham Town Reserves this season. On Tuesday night he showed his potency in front of goal by scoring twice for Melksham in their win over Calne, Jake Dodge with the other Melksham goal, Joe Williamson with the reply for Calne Town Reserves.

After an opening day defeat at the hands of Trowbridge Town, Faringdon Town have been in good form on home turf at Tucker Park having beaten both Park United and Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development in successive home games. They made it three straight wins in front of their own fans with a 4-2 success over Blunsdon on Tuesday night with most of the damage being done in the first half. Faringdon took the lead on 13 minutes, last season’s leading scorer Kyle Bowyer getting on the end of a Daniel Lloyden cross. Adam Sly then made it 2-0 heading in from a corner on 20 minutes. It was soon 3-0, Peter Fletcher firing in from a free kick after Matthew Bibby had been fouled on the edge of the box. Faringdon extended their lead four minutes into the second half, Adam Sly volleying in from a Jamie Tuck cross to put Faringdon four up. Credit to Blunsdon who did not give up and pulled one back shortly after and then added a second in the closing stages on the game from a free kick, their two goals coming through Josh Gale and Eliot Wheatley.

There was a close game at Southbrook Rec where Kintbury Rangers were Kingsdown's visitors with visitors Kintbury eventually edging it by the odd goal in five to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. The victory for Kintbury saw them move third in the table as a result of their fourth win in their opening five games. Two goals for Kye Williams and one from Will Frank saw Kintbury home, Josh Atwell and Tyler Preddy with the two goals for the home side Kingsdown.

There was one game in the Premier Division on Wednesday night, and it saw Pewsey Vale looking to bounce back from successive defeats at the hands of Shrewton United and Wroughton when they entertained Salisbury Dev in a fixture reversed due to the Salisbury ground being unable to stage the game that night. It was to be mission accomplished for Mark Field’s side as leading scorer Josh Fowler helped himself to two more goals in a 5-2 win. There were further Pewsey goals from James Guthrie and Brandon Vincent with an own goal completing the scoring for Pewsey who climbed one place in the table to fourth spot as a result of the win.Harry Guy scoring the two Salisbury goals in reply.

Division One

It was a night of goals galore in Division One on Tuesday night with 46 goals scored in the five games. It was a tough night for Purton who shipped 20 of those 46 goals away at Down Ampney. Charlie McCuish led the way helping himself to five, substitute Connor Hibbs hit a hat-trick, whilst Lewis Baston, Harvey Coster, Paddy Cripps, Jack Hulbert and George Bailey all bagged a brace and both Daniel Lambton and Harry Sealy scored one goal each in the 20-0 win. The big win for Down Ampney saw them climb up to third spot in the league table.

There was another big score at Elcot Lane where league leaders Marlborough Town entertained Stratton Juniors. Marlborough maintained their leadership of the division with an emphatic 9-1 victory. Having scored two on Saturday against Redhouse, Jake Farrell was once again amongst the goals in Marlborough’s latest win scoring four times, Alfie Jonhnstone netted two and there were further goals from Harry Womersley, Joshua De Souza and Hugh Clark. Stratton's consolation goal was scored by Daniel Bond.

A third side to pick up a big win on the night were Devizes Town Reserves who hit six unanswered goals to defeat much fancied Bratton who have now lost two of their opening five goals by six goal margins. Goals from Finley Palmer and Harvey Swain gave Devizes a 2-0 lead at half time. Swain scored a second after the break whilst Kieron Gleed hit a second half hattrick to round off a good night for Devizes which saw them move second in the table.

Shrivenham Development picked up a second win of the season at home against Redhouse. The teams turned round at the break all square at 1-1 but two unanswered second half goals secured the points for Shrivenham. Lewis Mokler scored one in each half for Shrivenham with Jamie Broadfield also scoring in the second half. Cameron Shrubb with the Redhouse goal. With the score at 2-1 Redhouse had the chance to level matters up from the penalty spot, but Shrivenham keeper Liam Keville saved the spot kick from Shrubb to maintain his sides lead.

The final game on Tuesday night was at Green Lane where Bishops Cannings entertained Bradford Town Reserves. Bishops Cannings have made a decent start to the new season and picked up their third win from their opening five games with a 4-2 come from behind success. Bradford Town Reserves led 1-0 at the break thanks to a goal from Wiktor Wnuk but second half goals from Jack Spanswick (2), Samuel Brewer and Ben Haffenden secured the three points for Bishops Cannings, Kieran Balchin with the second Bradford Town Reserves goal.

There was one game on Wednesday night when Kintbury Rangers Development took on Lambourn Sports at the Recreation Ground. Lambourn were looking to go level on points with second in the table Devizes Town Reserves with a win. After a first half of limited chances the two teams turned round at half time with the game still looking for its first goal.  The goals eventually came in the second half with both sides getting the one as the two teams had to settle for a point apiece, Sean Cook with the Kintbury goal and Kias Bonner-Shea with the Lambourn reply. The point gained by Lambourn still saw them move third in the table, two points adrift of Devizes.

Saturday 24th August 2024

Narrow Wins For Leaders

In Both Divisions

Action this weekend in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League got underway on Friday night under lights at Calne Town where Calne Town Reserves were home to Blunsdon. It was a tight affair in the first half and it remained goalless until three minutes before the break, but two goals in those final three minutes from the home side through Ethan Jones and Sean Bailey saw Calne with a 2-0 lead at the interval. If the last three minutes of the opening half had belonged to Calne, the first three minutes of the second half went the way of Blunsdon and Eliot Wheatley in particular. Wheatley pulled one back for the visitors a minute after the restart and then added a second two minutes later to level matters up at 2-2.  It remained that way until 20 minutes from time when Jamie Ballinger restored Calne’s lead. Four minutes from time Calne effectively wrapped up the points when Blunsdon’s veteran stand-in keeper Kevin Purnell lost sight of the ball in the lights and gifted Troy Parfitt a fourth goal for Calne. However, there was still time for one more goal, Zach Bruce firing in for Blunsdon against his former club to reduce the deficit but that was to be the end of the night’s scoring as Calne held out for their second win of the season after what had been an entertaining seven goal game.

The top match on Saturday, on paper at least ahead of kick-off, looked to be the game at Woodmarsh between league leaders Letcombe and Trowbridge Town who were looking to move to within two points of the leaders with a win. The game in front of a three figure crowd didn’t quite live up to expectations not helped by an early sending off. It started well for the visitors Letcombe as Dan Trimbell fired them in front within the first seven minutes of the game. The closest Trowbridge went to scoring in the opening half hour was when Nick Taylor hit the crossbar with an effort, but it looked like things might turn Trowbridge’s way when on the half hour mark Timbrell was controversially shown a red card which meant his side would have to see out the remaining hour of the match one man light. Trowbridge sought to take advantage of the extra man and went close to the equaliser five minutes after the restart, Thomas Stocks seeing his headed effort come back off the crossbar following a corner. Nick Taylor then blazed a shot over after good work from Charlie Maddison. The one-man advantage that Trowbridge had been playing with since the half hour mark was to come to an end midway through the second half, the advantage being nullified when Trowbridge’s James Cox was shown a second yellow card and was dismissed. Despite matters being evened up in terms of numbers Trowbridge continued to create the better chances and substitute George Bendle went close on a couple of occasions to getting that elusive equaliser. Trowbridge then hit the crossbar for a third time, on this occasion Maddison’s cross coming back off the fame of the goal. Despite sustaining a lot of Trowbridge pressure the Letcombe defence held firm to ensure a fifth clean sheet of the season for keeper Harry Whitehead as Letcombe opened up a three point lead at the top of the table. 

Pewsey Vale sit second in the table after they recorded their second 5-2 win of the week. They were in front within 42 seconds of the start against Faringdon Town with leading scorer Josh Fowler firing the home side in front with a strong run through the middle and powerful finish. Fowler doubled the Pewsey lead on eight minutes, the Pewsey dangerman capitalising on an error in the Faringdon defence to make it 2-0. Captain James Guthrie then made it 3-0 on 25 minutes as Pewsey looked to be cruising to another comfortable win. However, Faringdon rallied and two minutes later reduced the deficit, a neat one-two in the centre of the park put Daniel Loyden through and he finished in style to make it 3-1 at the break. It remained that way until just before the hour mark when the game was to see two penalties both of which were put away. The first went the way of Pewsey and it was captain Guthrie who put his side 4-1 up. However, within a minute there was another spot kick at the other end. Faringdon’s leading scorer Kyle Bowyer took the responsibility and like Guthrie he put the spot kick away to give Faringdon renewed hope with half an hour to go. It remained 4-2 until a minute from time when any hope of a Faringdon comeback was ended, young Ben England with a fifth for Pewsey. The win saw Pewsey climb above both Wroughton and Kintbury Rangers in the table, both inactive as a result of their respective opponents being unable to fulfil their scheduled fixtures.

Melksham Town Reserves sit fifth in the table after Justin Flowers side picked up their fourth and probably most impressive win of the season, a 5-2 home success against Larkhall Athletic Development. The goals were shared around the team with one apiece for Kegan Smart, Jake Dodge, Ben Wickens, Olly Clarke and Liam Brooks. The two goals for Larkhall were scored by Raphael Oppong and Thomas Dowell, the latter scoring against his former club.

Kingsdown have had something of an up and down start to the season but Saturday was to see their best result of the season so far as they returned from the long trip south to take on Bemerton Heath Harlequins with all three points following a 4-0 win, with all four goals coming in the second half. Skipper Tyler Wilkinson put them one up on 55 minutes and they then had a helping hand with the second with a Bemerton player scoring an own goal to make it 2-0. Kingsdown effectively ended the game as a contest with a third goal scored by Ollie While and the same player then got his second of the game and his fifth of the season to make the final score 4-0. A bad day at the office for Bemerton who will look to get back on track when they entertain Shrivenham in midweek.

More of Tony Smith's pictures from this game can be found at www.efc.smugmug.com

Shrivenham will go into that game on the back of a disappointing result of their own at home to Park United. Three first half goals for Park saw Shrivenham with a big task to turn things round and whilst they improved in the second half the damage had already been done in that opening 45 minutes. Two goals for Ben Pring and one from Jamie Norman for Park who climbed into the top half of the table as a result of the win.

The final game of the day was at the Sustain Stadium, home of Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development where the visitors were Shrewton United. The home side were looking to build on their useful point against Wroughton in midweek whilst visitors Shrewton were looking to bounce back from their narrow defeat at the hands of Bemerton. The first two chances in the game went the way of Royal Wootton Bassett's  Flynn Walters, the first seeing him just fail to get on the end of a Sam Case cross to the far post. The second did see him getting a shot on target forcing Shrewton keeper Kameron Wise into a full-length dive to turn the effort away. The opening goal of the game came in the 17^th minute, and it went the way of the home side after a foul in the box saw the award of a penalty. George Lance took responsibility for the spot kick and hit the penalty low in the bottom corner to the keeper’s right and into the net for 1-0. The home side continued to have the better of things, Ben Spackman went close with a header at the back post and Dale Richards should have done better when put clean through but blasted over as Wise came out to close him down.  In the second half the home side continued to create the better chances, Spackman was denied by the feet of Wise with a low shot when he got clear of his defender and Richards went close with an effort from distance after a clearance from Wise went straight to him. However, the home side would be ruing those missed chances when the visitors Shrewton got themselves back on level terms, a cross from the right-wing finding Charlie Utterson at the far post and his powerful header into the roof of the net gave home keeper Dan West no chance. The home side were reduced to ten men five minutes from time when Afonso Ferreira was shown a red card. There were chances at both ends in the closing stages but there were to be no further goals as it finished 1-1. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights from the game by clicking on the link below or by using the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where all other games covered by Your Sport Swindon from the league can be accessed.

Division One

Six games were played in Division One of the league on Saturday and those six games produced 39 goals with three matches seeing eight goals scored in each game. One of those games was at Cricklade Leisure Centre where Cricklade Town found themselves four goals to the good against Bradford Town Reserves with just 16 minutes on the clock. Harry Ayers opened the scoring on three minutes and then added a second two minutes later. The Robinson brothers Zak and Kai then added two more for Cricklade to give them that 4-0 lead. Bradford managed to stem the flow of goals and got to half time without conceding again. They made a much better start to the second half and pulled one back through Jimmy Redfern. It was to then remain 5-1 until three minutes from time when Scott Chilcott added a sixth for Cricklade and then netted again two minutes later to make the final score 7-1. The win maintained Cricklade’s 100% winning start to the season but they sit sixth in the table with games in hand over the teams above them one of which they will play in midweek when they entertain near neighbours Purton. Your Sport Swindon were again at this game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights from the game by clicking on the link below or by using the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where all other games covered by Your Sport Swindon from the league can be accessed.

Purton were also involved in an eight-goal game on Saturday and will go into that midweek encounter having suffered another heavy defeat with Pewsey Vale Development having scored all eight of the goals in the match. Both Kierron Kiff and Liam Wood scored twice with further goals from Dominic Terrett, Jay Roden, Ollie Ford and Rhys Armstrong as Pewsey Vale Development picked up their first win of the season. 

The other game to see eight goals was at Moredon where Redhouse entertained Lambourn Sports. Having dropped points in midweek Lambourn returned to winning ways by inflicting Redhouse’s heaviest defeat of the season so far, putting seven goals past Warren Fuller’s side. Lewis Shaw added two more goals to his tally to move onto seven for the season, two goals also for last season’s joint top scorer Scott Garrett, with further goals from the other joint top scorer last season Jamie Stones, Ben Curtis and Dillon Gibbs. The consolation goal for Redhouse was scored by Cameron Shrubb which saw him become the division’s joint top scorer this season with eight goals, the only bright spot on a disappointing day for his side. The win for Lambourn saw them move up to second place in the table.

Marlborough Town retained leadership of the division but were made to work hard for the three points by the young Kingsdown Development side at Southbrook Recreation Ground. Goals from Carl Marsh and Liam Geraghty saw Kingsdown lead 2-0 but Jake Farrell pulled one back for Marlborough to give them a foothold back in the game going into the half time break at 2-1. Farrell then added a second for Marlborough to level matters up and take his personal tally for the season to eight, and joint leadership of that divisional goal scoring chart. There was to be one more goal and it went the way of Marlborough, Zach Symon with the winning goal as Marlborough opened up a three-point lead at the top of the division.

Down Ampney had that big win in midweek against Purton and were once again amongst the goals at home to Shrivenham Development running out 5-2 winners to move third in the table, four points behind Marlborough but with a game in hand. Charlie McCuish hit five in midweek, and he scored two more against Shrivenham to become the third player sat on eight goals at the top of the goal scoring chart. Further goals from Harry Sealey, Daniel Lambton and Thomas Austin completed the scoring for Down Ampney, Lewis Mokler with the consolation goal for Shrivenham.  

Bratton bounced back from the heavy defeat they suffered in midweek at Devizes Town Reserves with a hard-fought 3-1 win away at Stratton Juniors. Two goals from Max Bishop plus one from Jack Booth did the damage for Bratton, Corey Cullen with the Stratton goal as he moved onto four for the season.

Devizes Town Reserves postponed their game against Kintbury Rangers Development and the league await the official postponement form ahead of the next committee meeting where all postponements are discussed, having had a pitch inspection carried out by one of the league’s registered match officials ahead of the scheduled kick-off time.

Tuesday 27th August 2024

Kintbury Move 2nd in Premier,

Big Win For Cricklade in Div 1

Action from Bemerton Heath Harlequins Res 2-0 win over Shrivenham

(picture courtesy of Tony Smith)

There was a limited round of midweek games in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League this week, with three games scheduled and played,  with one game played in Division One. In the Premier Division Kintbury Rangers moved into second spot in the table thanks to a 3-1 home win over Larkhall Athletic Development. It was 1-1 at the break but two second half goals from brothers Josh and Ben Luckett secured the three points for Kintbury, Kye Williams having scored in the first half for the home side and Thomas Dowell for the visitors. The win saw Kintbury move to within two points of leaders Letcombe with a game in hand.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves bounced back after Saturday’s heavy home loss against Kingsdown with a 2-0 victory over Shrivenham at the A-Class Arena. Goals from former Salisbury Development player Archie Ingram and Hayden Wells did the damage for Bemerton who moved up to seventh place in the table as a result of their win. 

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

There was a high scoring game at Sutton Park where Park United were Blunsdon’s visitors. Blunsdon led 2-1 at the break thanks to goals from Nick Craft and Jamie Pidgeon. They extended their lead with a second goal from Craft early in the second half to lead 3-1, but Park staged a comeback to score four goals and take the three points. On target for Park were Lewis McCarron with two, Oliver Sterling, Ben Pring and Zac Hillier. Park have now won four of their opening six games and moved up to sixth place in the table as a result of their latest success.

Division One

The one game played in Division One was something of a one-sided local derby affair between Cricklade Town and Purton with game seeing 20 goals, 19 of which were scored by Cricklade. Having lost by an even bigger margin to Down Ampney, Purton are clearing struggling at the moment in terms of being able to field a competitive side, although arguably they have played two of the strongest sides in the division in those two heavy defeats. It was a bumper night for Cricklade’s Josh Parsons who scored 12 of those Cricklade goals, Obi Nwoke helped himself to a hat-trick and there were further goals from Harry Ayers, Ryan Latham, Daniel Dicks and Kai Robinson. The Purton consolation goal was scored by Ryan Ambler. Purton are back in action on Saturday when they entertain another side struggling at the bottom of the table, Stratton Juniors, where both sides will be hoping to turn around their difficult starts to the season. Cricklade meanwhile will have a tougher game in prospect when Devizes Town Reserves, who have won four of their opening five fixtures, are the visitors to the Leisure Centre.

Saturday 31st August 2024

Letcombe & Kintbury Rangers Both

Secure Hard Fought 1-0 Wins

Kintbury Rangers attack the Trowbridge Town goal in their 1-0 win that saw them maintain the pressure on leaders Letcombe

(picture courtesy of Alwyn Bodman)

Premier Division

For the first time this season all 18 teams in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League were in action on a Saturday and the nine games produced a series of close games with four being decided by one goal margins, three by two goal margins, one being drawn and the final game being a lot closer than the final score line would suggest.

The two leading sides in the division, Letcombe and Kintbury Rangers, were both involved in close encounters which would be decided by a solitary goal. Letcombe were away at Kingsdown and a goal just after the half hour mark from player-manager Luke Stone following a corner proved to be enough to take all three league points for the league leaders. Kingsdown fought hard to try and get back on level terms, but that equaliser eluded them as Letcombe’s defence maintained a clean sheet for the second consecutive game and their sixth of the season in their eight league games to date. Letcombe have conceded just three goals in those eight league games to date.

It was another tight affair at Kintbury Recreation Ground where Trowbridge Town were Kintbury Rangers’ visitors. Last season’s two league encounters had seen the sides win their respective home games and Kintbury Rangers continued that trend with a second half goal scored by Jesse Bowers which in the end was all that separated the sides at the final whistle. Kintbury remain two points behind Letcombe with a game in hand, that game taking place this coming Tuesday when they host struggling Malmesbury Vics Development and where a win would see them move top of the table. 

More of Alwyn's pictures from this game can be viewed on the League Facebook Group page.

Pewsey Vale lost ground on the two leaders when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Calne Town Reserves. After a tough start to the season Calne have now lost just once in their last five games as they held a Pewsey side who were not at their usual best in front of goal. Two goals from Jack Smith saw Calne open up a 2-0 lead, but they were pegged back by strikes from Callum Ball and a 13^th of the season from Josh Fowler to level matters up at 2-2. Pewsey created plenty of chances to have claimed all three points, but the chances were either wasted, or Pewsey saw Calne's young keeper Lewis Clark deny them with a string of excellent saves in a man of the match performance for the visitors. The two points dropped by Pewsey saw them overtaken in the league table by both Melksham Town Reserves and Wroughton.

Melksham Town Reserves went into their game against Faringdon Town having won all of their games except the two fixtures against the two leading teams Letcombe and Kintbury Rangers. They made it three wins on the spin with a 3-1 victory with all four goals in the match coming in the second half. Melksham went in front almost straight after the interval and built up a 3-0 lead before Faringdon pulled one back late on through Kyle Bowyer. On target for Melksham were Kegan Smart and Liam Brooks, both netting their fourth goals of the season, and Aaron Masson who opened up his account for the campaign. The sixth win of the season for Melksham saw them move up to third spot in the table.

Wroughton sit one place and one point behind them after a 5-2 win over Larkhall Athletic Development, two late goals for the home side finally making sure of all three points against a hard-working Larkhall side. The goals were shared around the Wroughton side with Jono Peachey-Score, Dan Grieve, Nathan Barbeto, Regan Cook and Ryan Major all scoring one apiece. Two more goals for Thomas Dowell for Larkhall as he took his tally for the season to four.

There was another close affair at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground where Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development entertained Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves in a game switched to the 3G pitch due to a cricket match on the pitch adjacent to the stadium pitch. Both teams had a frustrating afternoon in a game that saw controversial sendings off on both sides and multiple cards being shown. For the home side the early sending off of the influential Flynn Walters meant it was always going to be tough ask to get anything out of the game and in the end an early goal from Bemerton’s Ryan Scott was all that separated the two sides. The two sides are set to meet again early in October in the Wiltshire Senior Cup.

Shrivenham have had a tough start to the season and went into their home fixture with Malmesbury Vics Development still looking for their first win of the season. Malmesbury have also had a tough start to the season and travelled to Shrivenham still looking for their first point of the campaign. It started well for the visitors, Malmesbury going in front on 21 minutes through Lewis King who got on the end of a cross from Tom Wynn Davis to fire Malmesbury in front. Shrivenham got themselves back on level terms just after the half hour mark following some sustained pressure on the Malmesbury goal, Brad Hirst netting his first goal in the Premier Division this season. Having restored parity, Shrivenham went in front four minutes later, Cody Frost capitalising on some sloppy defending to put Shrivenham 2-1 and it remained that way at the break. Shrivenham extended their lead within four minutes of the restart, Jacob Newdick scoring his third goal of the season to give Shrivenham a 3-1 lead. Malmesbury Vics rallied and got themselves back in the game 17 minutes from time, Joe Tranter coming off the substitute bench to net following a Matthew Jones long throw. Any hope of a comeback was ended though when Hirst bagged his second of the game to give Shrivenham a 4-2 win that saw them climb out of the potential relegation positions on goal difference.

Salisbury Development were once again unable to stage their home game at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium but did secure the use of the 3G pitch at Bulford where they had played several games last season. It was to prove to be an excellent afternoon for the young Salisbury side as they picked up their second win of the season in an entertaining affair against Park United. Goals from Jeremiah Prempeh and Tom Farnsworth gave Salisbury a 2-0 lead, but Park came back strongly to level matters up at 2-2, only to see Naman Gurung restore Salisbury’s lead. Park continued to press for an equaliser and did level matters up again at 3-3 only to see Omario Henry net what proved to be a winner for the home side. Another close game settled by a single goal margin, a sixth of the season from Ben Pring plus further goals from Jamie Norman and Joe Lamb for Park in the 4-3 defeat. The win for Salisbury also saw them climb out of the bottom four places.

Blunsdon have struggled to field their strongest side in midweek fixtures and have consequently saved their best performances for Saturday’s, this week picking up their second win of the season with a 2-0 home success over visitors Shrewton United with goals in the last minute of each half. Last season’s leading scorer Danny Hale broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time and whilst Shrewton pushed for an equaliser they found Blunsdon keeper Luke Kuczynski in fine form as he denied the visitors on several occasions. Blunsdon finally made sure of the three points a minute from time, Freddie Painter scoring a second to finally end any chance of Shrewton taking something from the game. Blunsdon remained in the bottom four on goal difference but moved above both Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development and Larkhall Athletic Development.

Division One

League leaders Marlborough Town went into their home game with Bishops Cannings unbeaten in their opening six games and three points clear at the top of the table. Bishops Cannings had also made a decent start to the season with three victories in their opening five games and they produced their best performance of the season to date to become the first team to lower Marlborough’s colours this season. Two goals from Caleb Hollow plus one from Sam Brewer did the damage for Bishops Cannings, Kieran Maidment and Dan Burke in reply for Marlborough. Marlborough created plenty of chances to have secured the three points but they just couldn’t put them away as they fell to that first defeat of the season.

The only other unbeaten side at the start of the day were Cricklade Town who had won all four of their opening games of the season, scoring 36 goals in the process, and who sat third in the table with two games in hand over the top two. They were up against a Devizes Town Reserves side who were level on points with Cricklade having played one more game but had also won four of their opening five games. In midweek against Purton, Josh Parsons had scored 12 goals, and he got his team off to a blistering start giving Cricklade Town the lead as early as the fifth minute. They were 2-0 up ten minutes later through Chilcott before Parsons scored his second of the game to make it 3-0 with just 16 minutes on the clock. Devizes rallied and prevented any further damage before half time. Parsons had a golden chance for a hat-trick when Cricklade were awarded a penalty, but the chance was spurned as their leading scorer failed to put the penalty away. Devizes got themselves a foothold back in the game 20 minutes from time, Finley Palmer notching his fifth of the campaign to make it 3-1. Any chance of a Devizes comeback was ended five minutes from time when Parsons did finally complete his hat-trick and take his total for the season to 19 after just five games. Cricklade are now the only unbeaten side left in the division.

Lambourn Sports started the afternoon in second place in the table ahead of their trip south to take on Bratton who sat in sixth place just three points adrift of Lambourn.  As was expected, it was a tight affair with Joe Edwards putting home side Bartton ahead but goals from Kias Bonner-Shea and an eighth of the season from Lewis Shaw turned things around for visitors Lambourn, who secured their fifth win of the season in what is turning into a much more successful second season in the league. The 2-1-win saw Lambourn move level on points with leaders Marlborough.  

Two teams who have had a tough start to the season were up against each other at the Red House where Purton were home to Stratton Juniors. Purton had lost all four of their opening games conceding 52 goals in those four games. Meanwhile opponents Stratton Juniors opening six games had seen them lose five of those games conceding 26 goals so the meeting between the two sides at the Red House was an opportunity for both sides to improve on their record to date. Having shipped 19 in midweek the Purton management would have been pleased with their first half showing that saw them take the lead through Joe Campbell before Stratton Juniors got themselves back on level terms from the penalty spot. However, Stratton Juniors upped their game after the break to run out 6-1 winners in the end. Star of the show for Stratton was Lewis Taylor who helped himself to a hat-trick, Sam Lowrie bagged a brace and leading scorer Corey Cullen took his total for the season to five.

Down Ampney were another side who had been scoring for fun in their opening five fixtures, averaging seven goals a game ahead of their visit to Bradford Town Reserves. At half time they trailed 2-1 to goals from Kieran Balchin and Harry Ledbury for Bradford Town and when Balchin scored a third early in the second half it looked Down Ampney were heading for their second defeat of the season. However, an eighth of the season from Paddy Cripps and one from Jack Hulbert saw Down Ampney pick up a useful away point, Harvey Coster having scored the Down Ampney first half goal.

Kingsdown Development and Pewsey Vale Development went into their meeting at Kingsdown School both looking for their second wins of the season. That honour went the way of the visitors Pewsey as player-manager Kierron Kiff scored twice with further goals from Alex Golder and Ben Hayward in a 4-0 win which saw Pewsey climb a couple of places in the table to fourth spot.

Kintbury Rangers Development travelled into Swindon for their game this weekend having gone three games without a win. Opponents Redhouse were also looking to end a three-game winless run which had seen them lose all three of those games conceding 15 goals in the process. Their recent defensive woes continued as the visitors Kintbury netted nine times in a high scoring game that also saw Redhouse bag three goals of their own. On target for Redhouse were Aaron Dale, Reece Pithers and Ryan Hackett, with a second half hat-trick from Harry Murtagh, plus two each for Charlie Allsop, Alfie Davis-Ellard and Jack Angell securing the three points for Kintbury and their biggest goal haul of the season so far.

Tues 3rd & Weds 4th September 2024

Big Win Sees Kintbury Go Top,

Calne Town Res Win At Bemerton

Action from the Bemerton Heath Harlequins Res v Calne Town Res game (picture courtesy of Tony Smith)

There was a limited schedule of midweek games in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League but once again the fixtures provided more evidence that, with one or two exceptions there is very little between the teams this season, with just about everybody capable of beating everyone else.



That said, early on in one of the games on Tuesday night there was little doubt who was going to win between Kintbury Rangers and Malmesbury Vics Development as two goals within the first ten minutes from Kye Williams and Jesse Bowers set Kintbury on their way to a comfortable 7-0 victory that sent them top of the table. Further first half goals from Theo Pennicot-Bowen and two from Jake Allan saw Kintbury lead 5-0 at the break. Allan completed his hat-trick early in the second half and a further goal from Aiden Maycock completed the scoring. The win for Kintbury saw them open up a one-point lead at the top of the table and they are now the only unbeaten side in the division.

Wroughton started the night unbeaten from their opening seven games but that unblemished record was ended by a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of a Kingsdown side managed by former Wroughton manager Adrian Wilkinson. The all-important goal was scored by Joe English 12 minutes into the second half, picking up the ball from midway in the opponents half English spotted the Wroughton keeper off his line and lobbed him to put his side ahead. The closest Wroughton came to equalising was when they hit the bar but Kingsdown controlled things well, as they had done for much of the game, to run out deserved winners on the night to make it a happy return for both Wilkinson and a number of the Kingsdown players who had previously graced the Weir Field.

It was another close affair at Shrewton Recreation Ground where Shrewton United’s visitors were Salisbury Development. It started well for the visitors as they went in front with just 14 minutes on the clock, Jack Stacey capitalising on a defensive error to put his side ahead with what would turn out to be the winning goal. Shrewton thought they had equalised on the hour mark when Ben Jenks had the ball in the Salisbury net a flag from the referee’s assistant saw the goal disallowed. Shrewton went close again six minutes later, leading scorer Lewis Cross forcing a save from the Salisbury keeper. Shrewton pushed hard for an equaliser, but the young Salisbury side continued to work hard to restrict the home side to half chances and successfully managed the closing stages of the game to secure three valuable points in an impressive display against their local rivals.

The third game on Tuesday night to be settled by a single goal margin was down in Salisbury where Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves entertained Calne Town Reserves. Twice Bemerton led thanks to goals from Liam Greenough and Sam O’Hagan but twice Calne came back to level matters up and then went in front for the first time with what proved to be the winner. There were two goals for Isaac Wain and one for Jack Smith, his fifth goal of the season, in a 3-2 win that saw Calne move up into the top half of the table with their third win of the season.

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

There was just the one game on Wednesday night with Melksham Town Reserves at home to Blunsdon. Melksham started the night four points behind leaders Kintbury and closed the gap to just a single point edging a seven goal thriller by the odd goal. Melksham led 4-1 with five minutes to go thanks to goals from Archie Newman, Kegan Smart, Liam Brooks and Leo Rendell, but two late Blunsdon goals caused a few nervous moments, including a late penalty shout for Blunsdon which on another day could easily have been given, but Melksham held on to claim all three points and move level on points with second placed Letcombe. On target for Blunsdon were Nick Craft with two, moving his total for the season to five,  and Jacob Ryan.

Saturday 7th September 2024

Kintbury Extend Lead at Top,

Cricklade Move Top in Div 1

Action from Kintbury Rangers impressive 7-0 win over Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves

(picture courtesy of Tony Smith)

Leaders Kintbury Rangers went top of the table in midweek with a 7-0 home win over Malmesbury Vics Development and they matched that score against Bemerton Heath Harlequins on Saturday to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table and certainly at this early stage look like a side who want to go one better than last season’s runners-up spot and lift the title for a second time. First half goals from Tom Mahoney, Terry Patton, Jake Allan, Harry Way and Jack Alfonso put them in the driving seat at half time. They eased up somewhat in the second half but did score twice more, Afonso getting his second of the game and Aiden Maycock netting his fourth goal of the season, whilst also registering a clean sheet for the sixth time in nine games.

More of Tony Smith's pictures from this game can be found at www.efc.smugmug.com

With both Letcombe and Melksham Town Reserves seeing their games postponed due to waterlogged pitches, fourth placed Wroughton had the chance to move within a point of both but had what looked a tricky away fixture at Trowbridge Town who have made some new signings to strengthen their squad this last week. It started well for the home side Trowbridge when they were awarded a penalty in the opening minute after a foul on Francois Allen. Jamie Lyons took responsibility for the spot kick and made no mistake to register his third goal of the season. However, the lead was not to last long as Wroughton were back on level terms nine minutes in, Aaron Maximen heading in from point blank range to make it 1-1. There were chances at both ends with young Trowbridge keeper Jack Amor saving well from Wroughton’s leading scorer Jono Peachey-Score and Allen and Lyons both being denied by saves at the other end, but the teams turned round with it all square at 1-1. Trowbridge were to regain the lead just before the hour mark, Allen being put clear of the Wroughton defence, rounding the Wroughton stand-in keeper Max Scholefield who normally plays in midfield these days, and firing in for 2-1. It then got even better for the home side, with Nick Taylor adding a third within moments of coming off the substitute bench. Any chance of Wroughton making a comeback were effectively ended 12 minutes from time when Peachey-Score picked up a second yellow card and Wroughton were reduced to ten men. The win for Trowbridge saw them climb a place in the table to tenth spot.   

More of Alwyn Bodman's pictures from this game can be viewed on the League Facebook Group page.

Pewsey Vale also had the chance to make up ground on Melksham and Letcombe when they travelled into Swindon to take on Kingsdown. They were very much on top in the first half and created a number of chances. The closest they came to scoring in that opening half was a shot from Brandon Vincent that went just wide of the post and leading scorer Josh Fowler also had a couple of chances firing one shot wide from the edge of the six-yard box and then seeing another low effort turned away by Kingsdown keeper Dan Lawrence. At the other end Kingsdown’s Josh Atwell had a good effort that was well saved by the Pewsey keeper. Right at the end of the half Pewsey had a penalty shout for a handball which, on another day could have been given, but the appeals were waved away and the teams turned around with the game still looking for its first goal. Whilst the two teams had failed to find their range in front of goal it was to be a different story after the break for Kingsdown. Pewsey had an early chance when Vincent hit a curling shot from the edge of the box that went just the wrong side of the post. James Guthrie then hit the post with another shot from outside the box but it was Kingsdown who were to go in front, Stefan Edwards with a looping shot from the right hand side into the far top corner of the net for 1-0 to the home side. They then doubled their lead with a header from William Middler from a Josh Atwell corner hit in at pace. Atwell was again the provider for a third for Kingsdown, his run down the right saw him beat his defender cut back in and lay the ball off perfectly to Ollie While who fired in with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net for 3-0. At the other end Fowler went close with an effort which was well saved by Lawrence in the Kingsdown goal and Pewsey were left to rue those missed chances in the first half as Kingsdown picked up their fifth win of the season and moved up to seventh spot in the table. Your Sport Swindon were their with their cameras and subscribers can view the highlights by clicking on the link below or access them from the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where all other games covered by Your Sport Swindon in the league can be accessed.

Park United are up to sixth place in the table after edging an entertaining game against Shrewton United by the odd goal in a seven-goal match. It looked like it would be a comfortable afternoon for Darrin Moss’ side when they led 4-0 after 70 minutes thanks to a hat-trick from Corey Harbour-Burgess and one from Joe Lamb. However, Shrewton did not give up and came back strongly to score three of their own in the final 20 minutes through Brennan Knowles (2) and Ben Spratt but Park ensured they did not concede a fourth to bag their fifth win in their opening eight games.

Calne Town Reserves are one of the form sides in the division and were involved in an entertaining encounter with Faringdon Town at Tucker Park. Calne went into the game unbeaten in three whilst Faringdon had lost two games on the bounce. Faringdon had the better early chances in the game without finding the net. Calne gradually grew into the game and started to create chances of their own and went in front on 19 minutes, Jack Smith being put through from a neat pass from Matthew Robinson and then executing a fine chip over the outrushing Jack Gibson in the Faringdon goal. Faringdon were back on level terms just before the half hour mark, leading scorer Kyle Bowyer capitalising on hesitation in the Calne defence to race away and finish in style with a side footed shot for 1-1. Parity did not last long though as Calne were back in front within three minutes thanks to a superb curling shot from Smith from the edge of the box into the far top corner of the net for his second of the game, this after Faringdon had somehow cleared an initial effort from Thomas Gates off the line. Moments later Smith went close to getting a hat-trick goal when a cross from the tricky Gates found him inside the box, but his quickly taken shot went just wide of the post. Calne were to extend their lead shortly after though, Matthew Robinson hitting a tremendous free kick from outside the box after a foul on Gates, giving Gibson in the Faringdon goal no chance for 3-1 to Calne. Gates, who was causing the Faringdon defence all kinds of problems, went close to getting a goal of his own, being denied by a great save by Gibson who turned the shot onto the post and it was cleared to safety.

Within a minute of the restart Faringdon thought they had pulled one back following a corner, Josh Forth putting the ball into the net only to see his effort struck off by an assistant’s flag. They would not be denied for long though, a long ball over the top saw leading scorer Bowyer clear of the Calne defence and he fired a low shot into the far corner of the net for 3-2. Calne gave themselves some breathing space just after the hour mark, as Smith went from scorer to provider with a ball to the far post which saw Harry Stiles do well to turn the ball back across goal and the ball went in off Sean Bailey to restore Calne’s two goal advantage. That two goal advantage did not last long though as Faringdon pulled one back within four minutes, a ball in from the right from Bowyer found Matthew Bibby who made no mistake from close range for the seventh goal of the game with 25 minutes still to play. The chances kept coming, 20 minutes from time Smith again had a golden chance for that hat-trick goal but his header went straight to Gibson. At the other end the closest Faringdon went to getting an equaliser was ten minutes from time when Bibby saw his shot deflected just wide of the goal. Calne held out to secure a 4-3 win in what had been an impressive performance and stretch that unbeaten run to four games. Your Sport Swindon were also at this game and subscribers can view the match highlights by clicking on the link below or accessing from the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website.

At the bottom end of the table Blunsdon picked up their third win of the season with a 3-1 home victory over bottom of the table Malmesbury Victoria Development which would no doubt have been enjoyed by Troy Prentice, former manager at Malmesbury, who is now the joint manager at Blunsdon. It was 0-0 at the break but an own goal followed by one from Eliot Wheatley with his first kick of the game after coming off the substitute bench. A third from Zach Bruce against his former club secured the points for Blunsdon, Ryan Collins with a late consolation goal for Malmesbury. The win for Blunsdon saw them move out of the bottom four positions.

Larkhall Athletic Development were playing in the Somerset Senior Cup on their brand new fantastic looking 3G pitch for the first time. There is to be no County Cup run for James Riccio's side this season though as they fell to a 3-1 First Round defeat at the hands of Fry Club.

Division One

There was a full schedule of seven games played in Division One and it was to prove a bad day at the office for the leaders at the start of the day, Marlborough Town. Their visitors to Elcot Lane were Down Ampney and, whilst Down Ampney were the second highest scorers in the division at the start of the day, few would have predicted the 7-1 defeat they inflicted on the league leaders. Connor Hibbs and George Bailey both bagged a brace and there were further goals from Harvey Coster, Harry Sealey and a ninth of the season from Charlie McCuish. The consolation goal for Marlborough was scored by Tom Womersley with his third of the season. The win for Down Ampney saw them climb one place in the table into third spot. The defeat for Marlborough saw them slip to fourth place in the table.

With Marlborough Town falling to that defeat Cricklade Town took full advantage to move top of the table but they were made to work hard for all three points by a hard-working young Shrivenham Dev side. The teams turned round with the game still looking for its first goal but second half strikes from Levi Cox, Harry Ayres and Scott Chilcott, the latter two both getting their fourth goals of the campaign, saw Cricklade take the three points and move top of the table.

Due to cricket, Lambourn Sports were playing their first home game of the season, but it was not to be a winning start on home turf as they were held to a 2-2 draw by visitors Bradford Town Reserves who led twice thanks to goals from Wiktor Wnuk and Tyler Robinson. However, twice Lambourn got themselves back on level terms, the second equaliser ensuring a share of the points, Jamie Stones and a ninth of the season from Lewis Shaw for Lambourn who are a point behind Cricklade but have played two more games than the leaders.

Devizes Town Reserves remain in fifth spot after a 5-2 away win at Stratton Juniors. Devizes led 3-0 at the break and looked to be coasting to victory but Stratton Juniors came out strongly in the second half pulling back two goals to make it 3-2. However, any chance of a comeback was ended by two further Devizes goals as they ran out 5-2 winners. For Devizes there were two goals for both Jordan Anning and Harvey Swain, Finley Thomas with the other Devizes goal.  Inreply for Stratton Juniors it was one goal apiece for Sam Lowrie and Taylor Edwards.

Near neighbours Bishops Cannings remained on their coat tails picking up a fifth win in seven games following a 5-3 home victory over Kingsdown Development. Szymon Raczek was the star of the show for Bishops Cannings smashing his second hat-trick of the season, Oliver Barnes and Caleb Hollow with the other two Bishops Cannings goals. Bishops Cannings are level on points with Devizes with both teams having played seven games. Reece Ricks, Callum Miller and a third of the season from Liam Geraghty in reply for Kingsdown Dev.

Biggest winners of the day were Redhouse who inflicted another heavy defeat on bottom of the table Purton. Cameron Shrubb led the way helping himself to a hat-trick to move onto 11 for the season, Jack Duffy and Ethan Milelr both scored twice, with one apiece for Dan Axford and Fraser Nardoni-Parker. The win for Redhouse saw them climb a couple of places to ninth spot in the table.

There were plenty of goals in the final game of the day at Pewsey Recreation Ground where Pewsey Vale Development entertained Kintbury Rangers Development. Pewsey led 2-1 at the break but a storming second half saw Kintbury score four times with just one more for Pewsey as they ran out 5-3 winners. Harry Murtagh led the way for Kintbury with a hat-trick as he took his total for the season to nine, Charlie Allsop and Jamie Wallin with the two other Kintbury goals. For Pewsey Vale, Dominic Terrett netted his second of the season and Connor Marsden and Israel Onibudo both got their first Dev team goals of the season. The win saw Kintbury move above Bratton in the table on goal difference and into seventh place.

Saturday 14th September 2024

Kintbury Open Up 7 Point Lead,

Top Three All Win in Div 1

Kintbury Rangers ahead of their 3-1 win away at Letcombe that saw them open up a seven point lead at the top

The big match of the day in the Premier Division was at Letcombe where the visitors were league leaders Kintbury Rangers who started the day four points clear of second placed Letcombe. With just 16 miles between the two clubs this was something of a local derby that attracted a crowd of 66 on a warm sunny afternoon. The opening ten minutes saw the two sides size each other up looking to maintain possession but without really creating any opportunities in front of goal. The first real chance of the game came on 12 minutes, Xavi Diaz letting fly with a half chance from the edge of the box which went wide of the goal without testing Charlie McCready in the Kintbury goal. Ten minutes later the lively Diaz got behind the Kintbury back line, but McCready was quick off his line to smoother the ball away for a corner. The first real chance that Kintbury created at the other end was when they broke down the right-hand side and the cross to the far post just eluded Kye Williams and it remained 0-0. Just after the half hour mark, they had their first real strike on goal when the ball fell to Jake Allen on the edge of the box, after a free kick into the box had initially been cleared by the Letcombe defence. However, Allen saw his shot sail well over the bar. A minute later he was presented with another opportunity after Tom Mahoney played the ball into him, but this time Allen’s weak shot was easily held by Harry Whitehead in the Letcombe goal. Kintbury were now on top and the deadlock was finally broken ten minutes from half time but it took a penalty to produce the goal, the penalty being given after Mahoney was upended in the box by Whitehead. Kye Williams took responsibility for the spot kick and his powerful spot kick gave Whitehead no chance as Kintbury took the lead. Four minutes from the break Letcombe went close to getting back on level terms but Calum Pryce wasted the chance after good work from strike partner Ben Cleary. Cleary then went close himself, Kieran Kerby who was playing as a full back, went on a run down the right and his cross from close to the corner flag found Cleary but McCready did enough to ensure the shot went the wrong side of the far post. There was time for one last effort for Letcombe to get back on level terms before the break, Pryce cutting in from the left and just curling a shot just over as the teams turned around with just the one goal in it.

Letcombe started the second half as they had ended the first, taking the game to the visitors and they were back on level terms within three minutes of the restart, Callum Henry firing in a shot from the edge of the box into the corner of the net for 1-1. Three minutes later at the other end Kintbury went close when a shot from Allen led to appeals that the ball had crossed the line, but the claims were waved away, and it remained all square. The next real chance fell the way of the home side, substitute Archie Brew seeing his effort from the edge of the box go just wide of the far post on 54 minutes. It remained all square until 18 minutes from time and it would be the visitors Kintbury who went back in front capitalising on an error from the home side when the ball was given away in their own half and Williams found himself in on goal and made no mistake to register his second of the game. Eight minutes later it got even better for the visitors with Letcombe once again the architects of their own downfall. A header back towards his own goal by a Letcombe defender went straight to Williams who was standing in an offside position who lobbed the outrushing Whitehead for a hat-trick goal. Whilst the assistant referee put his flag up the ball had clearly been played back to Williams by a Letcombe player and referee Rhiannon Stevens correctly overruled her assistant and allowed the goal to stand resulting in a 3-1 lead to Kintbury.  Kintbury were now very much on top, and man of the match Williams went close on two more occasions in the closing stages of the game, clipping the crossbar with one effort from the edge of the box and then shooting just wide after a powerful run through the middle. An excellent game of football between two very good sides that was well officiated. In the end Kintbury were deserved winners as they extended their unbeaten start to the season and opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the table. Your Sport Swindon were present with their camera and subscribers can view highlights of the game by clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division there were five games which were all settled by one goal margins again demonstrating how competitive the league is this season. After going two games without a win, Pewsey Vale returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over third in the table Melksham Town Reserves, Rory England scoring the all-important goal on his return to the side after missing the last two games. Despite the defeat Melksham stay third but Pewsey moved to within two points of their beaten opponents with the win.

Park United had been on a good run of form winning four of their previous five games ahead of their visit to Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development. In contrast the home side were without a win in five games, but that run was ended in another game that saw just the one goal, Ryan Withers scoring the Royal Wootton Bassett goal midway through the second half with a well taken finish. The second win of the season for Royal Wootton Bassett lifted them out of the bottom four places, whilst Park slipped three places to ninth spot.

The third 1-0 game of the day was down in the South of the county where Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves were involved in their fourth 1-0 game of the season, visitors Trowbridge Town going home with all three points as, on this occasion Bemerton, were on the wrong side of that 1-0 score line. The solitary goal came on 20 minutes and unfortunately for Bemerton it was one of their own defenders who headed in a Jamie Lyons cross into his own net for what turned out in the end to be the winning goal. Trowbridge had several chances to extend their lead, but none were taken, whilst at the other end new signing Rob Brown was forced into one save at point-blank range to deny the visitors an equaliser. A second successive win for Trowbridge saw them climb a couple of places in the table ahead of an important week for the club.  

Wroughton remain in fourth spot in the table but are now just a point behind Melksham Town Reserves after a narrow 4-3 victory over Blunsdon in an entertaining affair marred by a bad leg break suffered by Blunsdon player Josh Gale which will require surgery. All from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League wish Josh a speedy recovery. The game itself saw Blunsdon lead three times through goals from Eliot Wheatley, Josh Gale and John O’Donoghue but on each occasion Wroughton came back to level matters up through Aaron Maximen as he helped himself to a hat-trick. Wroughton then scored a fourth with what proved to be the winner through Francesco Michienzi to take the three points and remain just that one point outside the top three.

The fifth game of the day to be settled by a one goal margin was at Calne Town Reserves where Salisbury Development were the visitors. Salisbury had exited the Wiltshire Senior Cup in midweek losing 3-1 against Western League side Devizes Town in a game switched to Devizes. Despite the defeat Salisbury had given a good account of themselves, with the third Devizes goal only coming in the final minute of the game with Salisbury having gone close to getting an equaliser on several occasions. On Saturday it started well for Salisbury at Calne, Harry Guy firing them in front although Calne were back on level terms by the break thanks to a penalty in the final minute of the half that was put away by Sean Bailey. It remained a tight affair throughout the second half but two goals for Calne through Jack Smith and Tom Gates, with just the one for Salisbury scored by Daniel Bazen saw Calne extend their unbeaten run to five games as they moved up to seventh spot in the table.

Kingsdown moved up to sixth place in the table with their third straight win, this latest victory coming in the first league game played on Larkhall Athletic Development’s new 3G pitch. Goals from Louis O’Shea, Ben Payne and a seventh of the season from Ollie While did the damage for Kingsdown. After two home defeats in a row, having lost in the County Cup last week, Larkhall will be hoping to get their first win on their new pitch this coming Wednesday when they entertain Malmesbury Victoria Development.

Biggest winners of the day were Shrewton United who hit 12 unanswered goals at home against Malmesbury Victoria Development who had their keeper sent off for a handball outside the area with just 15 minutes on the clock and the score still 0-0. Three minutes later Shrewton were in front, Cameron Wildman firing in to put Shrewton 1-0 up. It remained just the one goal until just after the half hour mark when Charlie Jackson doubled Shrewton’s lead. Further goals from Charlie Utterson and a second for Jackson in the closing minutes of the half saw Shrewton go into the half time break four goals up. Second half saw Shrewton take full advantage of having the extra man and Malmesbury’s lack of a recognised keeper by scoring eight more. Two more for Jackson to take his total for the day to four, a hat-trick for Brennan Knowles, two for Jordan Cross plus one from Aidan Compton completed the scoring. Shrewton remain in 11^th place and Malmesbury remain the only side without a point after seven defeats in their opening seven fixtures, all of which have been played away from home. 

Shrivenham were involved in County Cup action in the First Round of the Charles Twelftree Trophy and they progressed to the Second Round courtesy of a 5-0 away win at Compton to join Kintbury Rangers, Faringdon and Letcombe in that Second Round draw. Brad Hirst hit a hat-trick and there was one apiece for Kieran Sutton and Jacob Newdick. The Second Round is scheduled for Saturday 12^th October.

Division One

In Division One it was a good afternoon for all of the top three sides. League leaders Cricklade Town were at home against Redhouse and made it seven wins from seven games thanks to a 3-0 win which in reality could and should have been a lot more. They went in front on 12 minutes, Levi Cox finally putting the ball away after initially scuffing an open goal but getting another chance as he lay on the floor and Redhouse failed to clear the ball. Cricklade then lay siege to the Redhouse goal for much of the remainder of the half. Callum Parsons did have the ball in the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Parsons continued to pull the strings for Cricklade and went close on a couple of occasions, but the teams turned around at half time with just the one goal in it. Eight minutes into the second half Cox doubled Cricklade’s lead with his second of the game, a through ball from Zak Robinson putting him clear of the Redhouse defence and this time he was clinical in front of goal stroking the ball into the bottom corner of the net for 2-0. Four minutes later Cricklade extended their lead, and it was no surprise that it was the influential Parsons with the goal. Cricklade were awarded a free-kick in a central position on the edge of the 18-yard box and Parsons curled the ball round the wall and whilst the Redhouse keeper got a hand to it he was unable to keep it out as Cricklade went 3-0 in front. Cricklade continued to create multiple chances, Scott Chilcott missed a sitter and Cox then blazed over when a hat-trick opportunity beckoned. The closest Cricklade went to adding to their tally was when Parsons hit the post and then went close with another free kick in an almost identical position to the one that yielded his goal. It was not all one way traffic though as Redhouse did create a few chances of their own but never really troubled the Cricklade keeper as it finished 3-0. This was another game where Your Sport Swindon were present with their camera and subscribers can view highlights of the game by clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website.

Lambourn Sports remained just the one point behind Cricklade with a 3-1 home win over a hard-working young Pewsey Vale Development side. Visitors Pewsey went in front through Lewis Clarke but goals from Dan Reynolds, Kias Bonner-Shea and a tenth of the season from Lewis Shaw secured the points for Lambourn. Whilst just a point behind Cricklade Lambourn have played two more games than the league leaders. Cricklade will play one of their games in hand on Wednesday night when they entertain Bishops Cannings at the Corinium Stadium, home of Cirencester Town.

Third placed Down Ampney remained in touch with the top two with a comprehensive 7-0 win over struggling Stratton Juniors. Star of the show was Charlie McCuish who scored four to take his total for the season to 13, whilst Harvey Coster hit a hat-trick to move his own personal tally to eight.  Down Ampney have now scored 52 goals in just eight league games and are a point behind Lambourn with a game in hand.

Bishops Cannings warmed up for that midweek encounter with Cricklade with a hard fought 3-2 win away at Kintbury Rangers Development. Leading 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Kieran Chivers and Ben Haffenden, Kintbury Rangers came back strongly in the second half, scoring twice through Charlie Allsop and Harry Murtagh but a third for Bishops Cannings from Szymon Raczek 17 minutes from time secured the points for Bishops Cannings. The win for Bishops Cannings saw them move up to fourth place in the table.

The other two games in Division One between Bratton and Marlborough Town, and Devizes Town Reserves and Shrivenham Dev both ended in 1-1 draws. At Devizes the home side went in front when an initial penalty was saved but Jordan Anning was on hand to put in the rebound for his fourth goal of the season. It remained 1-0 until ten minutes from time when Bradley Ellis got on the end of a long clearance from his keeper and chipped the Devizes keeper to level matters up and ensure a share of the spoils for the visitors. Credit to referee Andrew Bell for completing the game despite a knee injury suffered during the game.

As well as this week’s league fixtures there was also the first game of the season in the Fountain Trophies Cup and it saw the two sides at the bottom of the Division One table, Purton and Kingsdown Development, battling it out for the right to play Kingsdown’s first team in the Second Round. After a 4-0 win for Kingsdown Development it will be an all Kingsdown affair in that Second Round as two goals from Ramon Faruq plus further strikes from Eden Hewlett and Finn Broadbank set up that inhouse contest in Round Two.

Saturday 21st September 2024

Kintbury Extend Lead With Late Winner,

Day of Big Scores in Division One

Kingsdown's Antonio Gerrish tackles Trowbridge Town's George Bendle in the game at The Stairway Joinery Ltd Ground , the new name for Trowbridge Town's ground (picture courtesy of Martin Pearce)

Kintbury Rangers maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought 1-0 away win against Salisbury Development, with the game being played on the new 3G pitch at Sarum. Last week Kye Williams had been the star of the show at Letcombe, hitting a hat-trick and it was he who got the decisive goal again this week as well, capitalising on a defensive error ten minutes from time to give Kintbury all three points as they extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points.

With Letcombe otherwise engaged in Fountain Trophies First Round action, and due to results elsewhere, Wroughton moved up to second spot in the table with a 5-2 win over Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves. After scoring the initial goal Wroughton maintained the lead throughout the game even though they conceded a couple of goals at the other end. Two goals for both Jonathan Peachey-Score and Nathan Bebato, with Kassa Anderson getting the other Wroughton goal. The two for Peachey-Score sent him joint top of the Premier Division goal scoring chart with Pewsey's Josh Fowler on 14 goals.

Pewsey Vale are up into third spot after a 5-1 home win over bottom of the table Malmesbury Victoria Development in a game switched to Pewsey due to the ongoing issues with the Malmesbury pitch, which hopefully will soon be over. There were two goals for Lewis Clarke, with leading scorer Josh Fowler also adding one more to his total to move onto 14 for the season, Andy Rossiter and Kieran Kiff with the other two Pewsey goals, Charlie Evatt with the consolation goal for Malmesbury.

Melksham Town Reserves slipped a couple of places in the table to fifth spot after they were beaten 2-1 away at Park United, Ben Pring and Ben Selman with the Park United goals, Kegan Smart with his sixth of the season in reply for Melksham Town Reserves.

Calne Town Reserves are the in-form team in the division, and they extended their unbeaten run to six games, five of which have been won, with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over near neighbours Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development. There was a hat-trick for Jack Smith who took his tally for the season to eleven, Harry Stiles and Edward Summers with their first goals of the campaign with the other two Calne goals. The latest victory saw Calne climb a place in the table to sixth spot.

The other form team in the division are Trowbridge Town who made it three wins on the bounce with a narrow 2-1 success at home against Kingsdown. Trowbridge led 1-0 at the break courtesy of an own goal, Connor McKay getting on the end of an Owen Pearce cross and seeing his effort come back off the post but then go in off a Kingsdown defender. Trowbridge then doubled their lead 15 minutes from time, James Cox setting up Charlie Maddison who fired into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-0. Kingsdown pulled one back late on through Joe English but that was to be the end of the scoring as Trowbridge secured that third straight win ahead of a midweek trip to Larkhall Athletic Development.

Last week Blunsdon were on the wrong end of a late winner at Wroughton, this week it was their turn to benefit from such a late winner in their game against Shrivenham. Zach Bruce had put Blunsdon ahead in the first half, but Matty Horsell brought Shrivenham level on the stroke of half time. Blunsdon were then reduced to ten men 20 minutes from time when John O'Donoghue was shown a second yellow card. There were chances at both ends and just as it looked like the two sides would have to settle for a point apiece, Nick Craft headed in a winner in the final minute of the game for Blunsdon to give them all three points and open up a five-point gap between them and the bottom four.

A 3-1 home win is becoming something of a familiar result at Tucker Park this season as Faringdon Town recorded their fourth such result of the season, their latest victims being Larkhall Athletic Development. Faringdon were ahead as early as the second minute of the game and it was a familiar name on the score sheet with Kyle Bowyer, who recently turned down an approach from another club, getting his ninth of the season. Mitchell Coombes then doubled Faringdon’s lead with just 15 minutes on the clock. Larkhall pulled one back through an own goal and it remained just the one goal in it until the final minute of the game when Josh Lewis eased the home sides nerves with a third Faringdon goal to wrap up the three points.

It was emotional afternoon at Letcombe where the club remembered their former player Jack Badger who sadly recently took his own life, with the club raising money for his family at the game. The afternoon saw Letcombe involved in the final Preliminary Round fixture in the Fountains Trophy Cup with Shrewton United the visitors. In a storming first half Letcombe led 5-0 at the break with Kieron Kerby and Ben Cleary both scoring twice, the other goal coming courtesy of an own goal. Shrewton United manager George Plank got a response from his side in the second half, as they pulled two goals back through recent signing Jack Vallis and Ben Spratt but, the damage had been done in that opening 45 minutes. Letcombe were to have the final say on the afternoon's proceedings, with Jordan Davies adding a sixth to make the final score 6-2. Letcombe will now be away to Pewsey Vale Development in the next round.

Division One

Cricklade Town opened up a four-point lead at the top of the table in midweek with a comprehensive 8-0 win over fourth placed Bishops Cannings, scoring four times in each half. Both Levi Cox and Scott Chilcott hit hat-tricks with further goals from Chris Jackson and Callum Parsons. Unfortunately, they were not able to build on that win on Saturday with Pewsey Vale Development unable to raise a side for their game at the Leisure Centre.

There were some big scores in a couple of the games that did get played in Division One on Saturday with Purton once again going down to a very heavy defeat. Playing on the 3G at Green Lane, they were comprehensively beaten 18-1 by a Bishops Cannings side who themselves had lost heavily in that midweek game. It was a fruitful afternoon for Szymon Raczek as he hit five of the Bishops Cannings goals, Joseph Fallon, Callum Howard and Jack Spanswick all bagged a brace, and there were further goals from seven other players, Oliver Barnes, Caleb Hollow, Sam Ferguson, Dominic Eardley, Eddie King, Kieren Chivers and Bradley Tymms all finding the net. The consolation goal for Purton came through Rob Gray.

There were also plenty of goals in the game at Moredon between Redhouse and Down Ampney with the visitors Down Ampney scoring 11 of the 14 goals in the game. There was just the one goal for leading scorer Charlie McCuish, this time it was Harvey Coster who led the way scoring four of the 11 Down Ampney goals, Paddy Cripps registered a hat-trick, with Lewis Baston, Harry Sealey and Harry Yeates all also getting on the score sheet. In reply for Redhouse, Cameron Shrubb scored twice to take his total for the season to 13 and there was one goal for Jack Duffy.

In contrast to those two high scoring games, it was a much tighter affair at Trowbridge Road where Bradford Town Reserves entertained Marlborough Town. In the end a solitary goal from Bradford Town’s Lex Southall with a deflected free kick was all that separated the two sides.

It was a similar story at Kingsdown School where Kingsdown Development and Bratton were involved in another tight contest which was to see just the one goal in the game. That goal went the way of the home side, Connor Taylor-Harrison’s goal giving Kingsdown only their second win of the season.

The final league game of the day was between Lambourn Sports, who started the day in second spot in the table, and Devizes Town Reserves was very much the Jordan Anning show, with the Devizes striker hitting a first half hat-trick to give his side a 3-0 half time lead. He then rounded his day off with a fourth from the penalty spot in the second half as Devizes moved up to fifth spot, one point behind their beaten opponents and two points behind near neighbours Bishops Cannings, with a game in hand on both. The defeat for Lambourn saw them slip to fourth spot in the table.

It was a successful afternoon for sides from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League in the Berks & Bucks David Grainge Trophy, as both Kintbury Rangers Development and Shrivenham Development progressed to the Second Round courtesy of 4-0 wins. Kintbury Rangers Development found themselves 3-0 up at half time in their game against AFC Winkfield Reserves from the Thames Valley League Division 2 thanks to two goals from Alfie David-Elland and one from Harry Murtagh. A second for Murtagh after the break made sure of Kintbury’s progress into Round 2. 

Shrivenham Development join them in the draw for Round 2 after they also won 4-0, their victory coming away at Steventon Reserves from Division Two of the North Berks League. Ryan Bragg led the way helping himself to a hat-trick, Bradley Ellis with the other Shrivenham goal.

Saturday 28th September 2024

Kintbury Drop Points at Calne,

Chasing Pack Take Advantage

Action from Park United's 3-1 win over Bemerton Heath Harlequins Res (picture courtesy of Tony Smith)

Two in-form sides met at Bremhill View on Saturday as Calne Town Reserves, unbeaten in six games, took on league leaders Kintbury Rangers who had yet to taste defeat this season having won ten and drawn one of their opening eleven games. It started well for Calne as goals from Harry Stiles and Sean Bailey gave the home side a 2-0 lead at the break. Whilst the first half belonged to Calne it was a different story after the break as Kintbury came back strongly despite being reduced to ten men. Goals from  Luke Polding and Ollie Denner giving them a share of the points and maintained that unbeaten record. For Calne Town Reserves that is now seven games unbeaten but, as a result of results elsewhere, they fell three places in the table to ninth spot, although are just one point off fourth place in what is a keenly contested division this season.

With Kintbury Rangers dropping points the two teams behind them in the table took advantage to close the gap at the top of the table. Second placed Wroughton were away at Melksham Town Reserves and repeated the score that they achieved on their last league visit to the Oakfield Stadium, Jonathan Peachey-Score who had scored a hat-trick in last season’s 3-0 win again on the score sheet with further goals from Kassa Anderson and Elijah Dadey on his Wroughton debut in another 3-0 win.

Third placed Pewsey Vale had to come from behind to take all three points away at Shrivenham. Trailing 1-0 at the break to a goal from Shrivenham’s Jacob Newdick. Having twice hit the bar in the last ten minutes of the first half, Pewsey continued to push hard after the break to get back into the game and once they found a way through, they went on to score two more to run out 3-1 winners. Two more for leading scorer Josh Fowler who moved onto 16 for the season and sole ownership for now of the leadership position in the Premier Division scoring charts, Rory Sellick with the other Pewsey goal. Pewsey remain a point behind Wroughton and seven behind Kintbury with all of the top three having now played 12 games.

Fourth placed Letcombe lost ground on the top three when they were held to a 2-2 draw by visitors Larkhall Athletic Development, all four goals coming in the second half. It could have been even worse for Letcombe as they trailed the visitors twice during that second half. Thomas Dowell put Larkhall ahead on the hour mark, but substitute Callum Hendry restored parity only to see Dowell restore Larkhall’s lead 15 minutes from time. With ten minutes to go Letcombe once again got themselves back in the game, this time from the penalty spot, James Webster putting the spot kick away. With Larkhall having seen Farley McDowell dismissed for a second yellow card Letcombe sought to take advantage of the extra man in the closing stages but were unable to find a way through and had to settle in the end for a point against the young hard working Larkhall side.

Trowbridge Town are up to fifth place in the table after a hard-fought home win over Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development. Both sides had introduced experience into their ranks ahead of the game and it was to be one of those "old heads" who put the visitors two goals to the good, Chris Head, who normally plays for the Royal Wootton Bassett Town veterans’ side scoring the opener in the 25^th minute after he dispossessed Trowbridge keeper Rob Brown to coolly slot into an empty net. Head was at it again ten minutes later doubling the lead for Royal Wootton Bassett. Trowbridge got themselves back into the game a minute from half time, recent signing Jordan Kirk heading in from a corner to reduce the deficit as the teams turned round at the break. Trowbridge then got themselves back on level terms just before the hour mark, James Cox curling in a free kick that keeper Dan West failed to hold onto to make it 2-2. Three minutes later Trowbridge went in front for the first time in the game, and it was Cox again the scorer for his second of the game. Royal Wootton Bassett were to get themselves back in the game 20 minutes from time with a helping hand from the home side, Jacob Gardner’s mishit clearance eluding his own keeper Brown to level matters up at 3-3. There was to be a winner though and it came six minutes from time and for the second time in the game it came from a corner, substitute Nick Taylor heading in for what proved to be the winner for Trowbridge.

Kingsdown continue to climb the table, but only just scraped past Malmesbury Victoria Development who were able to augment their side with a handful of first team players after their fixture in the Hellenic League was postponed.  Two goals from Dan Jones with one in reply for Malmesbury from Rob Collier were enough to see Kingsdown home. The win saw them move onto 21 points, just a point behind fourth place Letcombe in a congested top half of the table below the top three, which sees just one point separating six teams. 

Also moving onto 21 points with an identical goal difference to Kingsdown are Park United who were 3-1 home winners over Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves on the 3G at Stanley Park. Two goals for Lewis McCarron saw him take his total for the season to five with Ben Pring bagging his eighth of the campaign for Park, James McSorley with the solitary goal for Bemerton who have hit something of a bad patch losing five games in a row.

As with the game at Trowbridge, there was another entertaining game with plenty of goals at Shrewton Recreation Ground where Shrewton United hosted Faringdon Town for the first ever meeting between the two teams. The visitors Faringdon had a couple of very early chances, but it was to be the home side who got themselves in front with just four minutes on the clock, Lewis Cross scoring with a deft header from a Brennan Knowles cross. Shrewton doubled their lead on 15 minutes, recent signing from Amesbury Town Jack Vallis with a trademark header from a corner for 2-0. Having gone two down away from home Faringdon could easily have folded but instead they fought to get themselves a foothold back in the game and were rewarded just after the half hour mark, an unmarked Josh Forth netting at the back post from a corner. Seven minutes later they were back on level terms, a ball over the top finding Harry Timbrell who fired his side level. A minute before half time it got even better for the visitors, another ball over the top finding Timbrell with the same result as he fired his side in front for the first time in the game. There was still time for more drama in the half, Vallis thinking he had equalised with a header from a free kick but the goal being ruled out for offside as the teams turned around with visitors Faringdon one goal to the good.

It remained that way until 20 minutes from time when Shrewton were awarded a penalty after Lewis Cross went down in the box. Brennan Knowles took the responsibility for the spot kick, and he saw his penalty hit the post but go into the other side of the net to level matters up at 3-3. Three minutes later Shrewton found themselves back in front in this topsy turvy game, Lewis Cross finding the head of Charlie Jackson who headed home. Two minutes later Jackson rounded off a tremendous five-minute spell for the home side when he fired in his second of the game with another assist from Cross. It remained 5-3 until two minutes from time when Leo Carter-Francis got on the end of a free kick to reduce the deficit for Faringdon. There were a few nervous moments for Shrewton at the end, but they held out to secure the three points in what appears to have been an enthralling game.

The final game in the division was at Sutton Park where Salisbury Development were Blunsdon’s visitors. An early goal for the visitors from Naman Gurung gave Salisbury the lead but an equaliser from Eliot Wheatley ensured a share of the points. The point for Salisbury was enough to lift them out of the bottom four places.

Division One

In Division One, league leaders Cricklade Town had taken the precaution of booking the 3G at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground after all the rain earlier in the week to ensure their game against Marlborough Town went ahead. It started well for the league leaders who were looking to record their ninth straight win, Callum Parsons putting them one up with just ten minutes on the clock. The lead did not last long though as Marlborough were back on level terms within three minutes only for Cricklade to go straight down the other end and immediately restore their one goal advantage through Scot Chilcott. Nine minutes later they increased their lead when Levi Cox scored his sixth goal of the season to make it 3-1 and it looked like they were well on their way to that ninth win of the season. Marlborough had other ideas though and scored a second on 35 minutes to trail by just the one goal at the break. Marlborough continued to push to get back into the game and the equaliser eventually came on 67 minutes to level matters up. Just as it looked like Cricklade would be dropping their first points of the season, Callum Parsons who had started the afternoon’s scoring, popped up with a second ten minutes from time with what proved to be the winner as Cricklade secured that ninth straight victory. Marlborough had certainly pushed them all the way, their goals coming through Jake Farrell, with two, and Zach Symon.

With Down Ampney engaged in County Cup action, Bishops Cannings had the chance to move second in the table with a win away at Pewsey Vale Development. It was mission accomplished for the Devizes based side as two goals from leading scorer Szyman Raczek, who took his tally for the season to 14, plus further goals from Caleb Hollow, Harry Drewitt and Jack Spanswick gave Bishops Cannings a 5-2 win, Liam Wood and player-manager Kierron Kiff with the Pewsey goals.

Devizes Town Reserves continued their good start to the season with a 4-1 home win over Kingsdown Development. Last season Liam Moffat had been their top scorer with 17 goals but had not registered on the score sheet in the seven games he had played so far this season but finally got off the mark on Saturday scoring two of the Devizes goals. It was 1-1 at the break, Toby Baker scoring for Devizes and Callum Miller with the reply for Kingsdown. However, a much improved second half performance from Devizes saw Moffat score those two goals, one a header the other a volley, before substitute Rowan Anning rounded off a good afternoon for Ray King’s side with a fourth late on. The win for Devizes saw them move up to fourth spot, level on points with third placed Down Ampney, although they have played one more game than Down Ampney. 

Prior to Saturday’s game against Stratton Juniors, Bratton had gone three games without a win, their last victory having been the away fixture against Saturday’s opponents. Stratton were under new management with Alun Rossiter and Kevin Dunn having taken over as joint managers of the Swindon based club. Stratton twice led thanks to goals from young centre back Ryan Khumalo and Daniel Peapell and were 2-1 up with 20 minutes to go. However, a late rally from Bratton, which saw them score three times, to complete a quick-fire double over their opponents and end their mini winless run. For Bratton there were two goals for both Max Bishop and Jack Booth, with Booth also setting up Bishop for both of his goals. The win for Bratton saw them move to within three points of sixth placed Marlborough Town with a game in hand.

Just below Bratton are Kintbury Rangers Development who were the biggest winners in the league on Saturday. Leading 3-0 at half time they added a further eight unanswered goals after the break to record their biggest win of the season. Byron Regan led the way scoring four of the Kintbury goals, including a first half hat trick. There was a hat-trick for Tane Newton-Cook in the second half with Paul Hirst getting two with the other two goals coming through Luke Conner and Josh Wallin.

There was Fountain Trophies Cup action at Trowbridge Road where Bradford Town Reserves hosted a  Redhouse side who had parted company with manager Warren Fuller in the week after a tough run of results. Redhouse Veteran’s team manager Darren Grace has taken temporary charge, and he was to get off to a winning start, although few would have predicted the final score when the teams turned around at half time with the score at 1-1. A blistering second half showing from Redhouse saw them score six unanswered goals to run out 7-1 winners to progress to the Second Round. Jack Duffy scored a hat-trick for the visitors, with Cameron Shrubb, Ryan Butler and Pedro Nchana also all getting on the score sheet.  

Down Ampney safely negotiated the First Round of the Gloucestershire FA Intermediate North County Cup with an easy 12-0 win over Stonehouse Town 3rds from the Stroud & District League. Harvey Coster led the way scoring four of the 12 goals, Connor Hibbs bagged a hat-trick, Steve Algar scored twice and there was one apiece for George Bailey, Daniel Midwinter and Sam Dibble. Down Ampney will now meet Longhope from the North Glos League Division 1 in the Second Round on Saturday 26th October.

Next week the focus in both divisions is the Fountain Trophies Cup with 13 First Round ties and just the one league game on Saturday in the Premier Division between Shrewton United and Trowbridge Town. There is also one Premier Division game in midweek when Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development host Malmesbury Vics Development.

Saturday 5th October 2024

Day of Upsets In The Fountain Trophies

Cup As Top 2 in Premier Div Crash Out

It was the First Round of the Fountain Trophies Cup this weekend with 13 ties scheduled although one, the game at Malmesbury Victoria Development where Calne Town Reserves were scheduled to be the visitors was postponed due to ongoing issues with the pitch.

The 12 games that took place saw several cup upsets with teams from Division One knocking out sides from the Premier Division. Two sides who are unbeaten in their league fixtures in their respective divisions met at Kintbury Recreation Ground where Premier Division leaders Kintbury Rangers entertained Division One leaders Cricklade Town. IN the league Kintbury had won ten of their opening 12 league fixtures, drawing the other two whilst Cricklade had won all nine of their opening league fixtures in Division One including a hard fought 3-2 win against Kintbury’s Development side on their last visit to the Recreation Ground. It was to prove to be a happy return visit for Mani Roper’s side as they repeated that 3-2 win albeit this time against Kintbury’s first team. The manager himself was amongst the scorers for Cricklade, Harry Ayres and Callum Parsons with the other two Cricklade goals who had led 2-0 at the break. Whilst Kintbury scored two of their own after the breakthrough Ollie Denner and Tom Beal it was not enough to prevent them falling to their first defeat of the season. Both are again in cup action next week in their respective County Cups, Kintbury Rangers are at home to near neighbours Hungerford U23, whilst Cricklade are home to Swindon & District League side Nalgo Masters in the Wiltshire Junior Cup.

Lambourn Sports are also going well in Division One this season and were another side on Saturday to defeat Premier Division opposition, Thomas Whitham scoring the only goal of the game against Shrivenham in a local derby at Lambourn Sports Club.

The third side to cause a cup upset were Bratton who, despite sitting in mid-table in Division One, inflicted a surprise 1-0 defeat of Premier Division Wroughton, who currently sit second in the table, meaning both the top two in the Premier Division crashed out of the cup at the first hurdle. The only goal of the game came when a cross from debutant Lewis Wayman was turned into his own net by a Wroughton defender.  

Two of the all-Premier Division ties required penalties to settle matters including the game at Salisbury where third placed Pewsey Vale were the visitors in a game switched to the new 3G at Sarum. Pewsey took an early lead but Narum Gurung brought Salisbury back level from the penalty spot after Omari Henry was brought down in the box. Two further goals for Pewsey saw them open up a 3-1 lead but Henry gave Salisbury hope with a second and Dillon Gurung then completed the comeback scoring with a diving header. It remained 3-3 meaning penalties were needed to settle matters, Pewsey Vale prevailing in the penalty shoot-out, winning 3-2 from the spot kicks. The Pewsey Vale scorers before those penalties were required were Josh Fowler with two, taking his total for the season to 18, and Callum Ball. 

The other tie requiring penalties was at Tucker Park where Faringdon Town’s visitors were Royal Wootton Bassett Town. When the two sides had met at the same ground in the league back in August, Faringdon had won 3-1. It looked like the visitors Royal Wootton Bassett would avenge that defeat when they led 2-1 with the game moving into injury time, but a powerful volley from Adam Rudman brought Faringdon back on level terms meaning penalties were once again needed. Earlier Harry Timbrell had given Faringdon the lead, but goals from Adam House and Ryan Withers had Royal Wootton Bassett on course for victory until that late strike from Rudman. In the penalty shoot out Royal Wootton Bassett Town went first and scored from the first penalty but then missed their second. Faringdon went on to score all five of their penalty kicks to run out 5-4 winners from the spot kicks.

The all-Premier Division tie between current cup holders Melksham Town Reserves and Blunsdon ended up not being a close affair, but at half time it looked like another that could have been heading for penalties. Blunsdon led 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Eliot Wheatley as the game entered the final minute of the first 45 but two goals for Melksham in injury time at the end of the half saw Melksham turn things around to go into half time with a narrow lead. However, the second half was to be a different story as the young Melksham side hit Blunsdon with five unanswered goals to run out 7-1 winners, a score few would have predicted at half time.

There were three ties where Development sides of Premier Division clubs took on sides from the Premier Division but there were to be no shocks in these three fixtures. At Kingsdown School it was an in-house affair when Kingsdown Development took on their own Kingsdown first team with the result going as expected with the first team winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Josh Atwell, Tyler Preedy and Tyler Wilkinson, Steve Davis with the reply for the Development side.

Last season’s cup finalists and previous winners of the Fountain Trophies Cup Larkhall Athletic Development maintained their good record in the competition with a 2-0 away win over Shrivenham Development at the Ian Richardson Ground. Visitors Larkhall dominated the early stages of the game and scored twice through Thomas Dowell, with his seventh goal of the season, and Harvey Kendrick with a powerful header. Larkhall went close on several occasions, hitting the post and missing other good chances but it was just the two as the teams turned round at half time. It was a different story after the break as Shrivenham Development fought to get back into the game creating several chances of their own, but the Larkhall defence held firm, avoiding conceding to safely progress through to the Second Round.

Pewsey Vale Development from Division One were at home to Premier Division side Letcombe and goals from Ben Cleary, Jack Daley and Dan Timbrell ensured Letcombe remain fighting on all three fronts with their County Cup fixture against Burghfield set for this coming Saturday.

The game between Premier Division Park United and Division One side Stratton Juniors turned into a one-sided affair with Park running out 12-3 winners to progress to the last 16. Star of the show was Jamie Norman who scored four of the Park goals, Lewis McCarron, Charlie Norman, Adam Mitchell all bagged a brace and there were further goals from Zac Hillier and Alex Hillier. For Stratton the goal scorers were Ogedi Uzokwe with two and Daniel Bond.

The other two ties were all Division One ties and saw wins for Devizes Town Reserves and Down Ampney. Devizes Town Reserves were up against Bishops Cannings at Green Lane for the second time this season having won 3-2 in the league back in August in this most local of derbies. It was to prove to be another tight affair with Devizes edging it by the odd goal with a 2-1 win, Jordan Anning and Eoin O’Grady with the Devizes goal, substitute Ethan Howard with the reply for Bishops Cannings 13 minutes from time.

The final game of the round played on Saturday was at Down Ampney where the home side entertained fellow Division One side Marlborough Town. When the two sides had met at Marlborough in the league last month it had been a one side affair with Down Ampney scoring seven times with just one in reply for Marlborough. It was a much closer affair in the second meeting of the season at Down Ampney with the home side eventually edging it by the odd goal in five, two for Connor Hibbs plus one for Harry Sealey for Down Ampney, Joe Reynolds with both the Marlborough Town goals.

Saturday 12th October 2024

Wroughton Close Gap At Top,

Seven Teams Through in WJC

Premier Division

With the four Berkshire based sides engaged in County Cup action, together with Trowbridge Town and Kingsdown, there was a reduced schedule of games in the Premier Division this weekend. With leaders Kintbury Rangers otherwise engaged it meant both Wroughton and Pewsey Vale had the chance to close the gap at the top and whilst both achieved that aim Wroughton will be the happier of the two sides.

Wroughton made the short journey across Town to play a Blunsdon side who they had defeated with a later winner last month. It started well for the visitors as they went in front with just two minutes on the clock, Jonathan Peachey-Score firing in with a perfectly placed free kick from distance which gave Blunsdon keeper Nathan Davies no chance. Wroughton had much the better of things going forward with Peachey-Score being denied on a coupe of occasions by Davies who was quick off his line to deny the scoring chances. The Blunsdon keeper then did well to deny Aaron Maximen on 22 minutes, the Wroughton striker combining with Peachey-Score only to see his effort saved with his feet by Davies. Luigi Herndandez went close to extending Wroughton’s lead when he headed just over from a corner and then Nathan Barbato saw his effort turned away by Davies as Wroughton continued to press. It wasn’t all one-way traffic through and Blunsdon created a few chances of their own with Eliot Wheatley’s corners in particular causing problems for former Blunsdon keeper Luke Kuczynski and his defence. After soaking up the sustained pressure without conceding Blunsdon got themselves back on level terms ten minutes from the break. A Wroughton attack down the left broke down and Blunsdon broke quickly, Zach Bruce threading a defence splitting pass into the path of Eliot Wheatley who rounded Kuczynski and fired into the net to level matters up at 1-1. Wroughton went close to restoring the lead almost immediately, Maximen muscling his way through five Blunsdon players before being tackled with the ball falling to Barbato whose first time shot was again well saved by Davies with his feet. There was to be no further goals in the half with the teams turning round all square and all to play for in the second half.

Having scored that early goal in the first half Wroughton repeated the feat in the second half, Maximen playing a neat one-two with Peachey-Score before coolly firing into the net for 2-1, with again just two minutes played in the half.  Blunsdon went close to levelling matters up almost immediately, Bruce shooting across goal after a corner had initially been cleared, Kuczynski getting the slightest of touches to divert the shot for a corner. Wroughton had dominated the midfield for much of the game with Bonsa Teshome, Max Scholefield and Jonny Davoille influential in much of their build up play and it was Teshome who would go close to extending his sides lead, twice being denied by keeper Davies and a defender on the line as Blunsdon somehow escaped. Wroughton did have the ball in the net three minutes later, Peachey-Score firing in after being put in by Maximen, but an assistant’s flag ruled the goal out. On 65 minutes Blunsdon went close to levelling matters up, a ball into Wheatley from Jamie Pidgeon saw Wheatley deceive the Wroughton defence with a drag back into the path of Pidgeon who saw his shot just go the wrong side of the post. Wroughton finally made sure of the points 15 minutes from time, substitute Francesco Michienzi heading in from a Ryan Major corner for 3-1. Ten minutes from time Peachey-Score had a golden opportunity to bag a fourth when put clean through but keeper Davies did enough to put Wroughton’s leading marksmen off and his shot sailed high and wide as it ended 3-1 to Wroughton who moved to within three points of leaders Kintbury Rangers having played one game more. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights of the match and interviews with the respective management teams by clicking on the link below or using the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website which also has links to other games covered by Your Sport Swindon. More photos from the game will be available on the League Facebook Group Page in due course.  

Blunsdon pictured before their game with Wroughton on Saturday

It also started well for Pewsey Vale in their game against Park United at the Recreation Ground as goals from Brandon Vincent and Kieran Stephens saw them lead 2-0 at half time. However, Park responded well after the break with Adam Mitchell scoring twice for Park to ensure a share of the points. Whilst Pewsey closed the gap to Kintbury they would obviously view this as two points dropped in the title race.

Melksham Town Reserves moved up to fourth place in the table following a come from behind victory over Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development. Trailing 2-1 to goals for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development from George Lance, with a penalty, and Flynn Walters, an impressive second half performance saw Melksham turn things around to run out 3-2 winners. There were two goals for Kegan Smart who took his total for the season so far to 12, Jamie Ellis with the other Melksham goal.

Malmesbury Vics Development finally have their first win of the season following a 4-0 away win over Calne Town Reserves, who saw their seven-game unbeaten run brought to an end by what was a strengthened Malmesbury side with Ben Patey scoring a hat-trick in his first game of the season for the Development side, Charlie Evatt with the other Malmesbury goal.

There was a win at the bottom end of the table also for Salisbury Development who returned with all three points following a 2-1 away win at Larkhall Athletic Development in an entertaining encounter between two young sides. Naman Gurung gave the visitors an early lead before Jack Stacey doubled Salisbury’s advantage. Angus Williamson pulled one back for Larkhall but despite creating several chances Larkhall were unable to find that elusive second and slipped to another defeat that sees them remain in the bottom four. However, the win for Salisbury saw them climb out of the bottom four and are now unbeaten in their last two league games.

The final game of the weekend in the Premier Division was a local derby as Shrewton United made the short journey into the city to take on Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves. It started well for Shrewton who took the lead with just five minutes on the clock, Lewis Cross converting after good work by Charlie Jackson. That remained the only goal of a scrappy first half. Bemerton upped their game after the break and got themselves back on level terms 20 minutes from time and then scored a winner two minutes from time to snatch all three points. On target for Bemerton were Liam Greenough and substitute James Finn. The win for Bemerton saw them complete a league double over Shrewton and move above their beaten opponents in the table.

Wiltshire Senior Cup

It was scheduled to have been a busy week of games for Premier Division sides in the prestigious Wiltshire Senior Cup, the oldest of the Wiltshire County FA’s County Cup competitions, with Swindon Town amongst the previous winners of the cup. In the end, due to the heavy rain at the start of the week, just four of the scheduled seven games involving sides from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League went ahead, three in midweek and one on Saturday.  The game between Wroughton and Amesbury Town will now take place at the Weir Field, Wroughton this coming Saturday under the Wiltshire FA’s new “auto reversal” rule. The game between Melksham Town Reserves and Pewsey Vale will now take place at Melksham this coming Tuesday, whilst it is uncertain when the Malmesbury Vics Dev v Park United game will take place given the issues with the pitch at Malmesbury.

The three games played on Tuesday night saw just one side from the league make it through to the last eight, that team being Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development who won the all-Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League contest with a convincing 4-0 win over Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves, avenging the recent the 1-0 defeat in the league. As with the league game, the match was switched to the 3G at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground.   Flynn Walters got the hosts Royal Wootton Bassett off to a fast start with an early goal before a Manuel Mesas’ brace provided a dominant 3-0 half-time lead. The home side took the pedal off the gas a little in the second half, but Bemerton struggled to create much by way of chances and Chris Head ensured progress through to the last eight with a fourth goal for the home side late on. Your Sport Swindon were again at thos game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights of the match by clicking on the link below or using the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website which also has links to other games covered by Your Sport Swindon.

In the other games on Tuesday night, both Shrewton United and Blunsdon were defeated by Step 6 opposition from the Western League. Shrewton United fell to a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Warminster Town whilst Blunsdon were beaten 9-1 away at Calne Town. Calne Town will now be Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development’s opponents in the quarter final.

There was another all-Wiltshire Senior League tie on Saturday with Trowbridge Town entertaining Kingsdown. Trowbridge started well and were two goals up in within the first 20 minutes. The first came on 15 minutes, Charlie Maddison getting on the end of a Jamie Lyons cross to put Trowbridge one up. Three minutes later it was 2-0, James Cox curling a shot into the net to extend Trowbridge’s lead. Kingsdown fought to get back into the game and created several chances but were unable to find a way past Rob Brown in the Trowbridge goal. Early in the second half Kingsdown went close to reducing the deficit when they struck the crossbar and were given added hope when the home side saw themselves reduced to ten men, Nathan Phillimore picking up a second yellow card and with most of the second half still to play. However, Kingsdown’s one man advantage would not last long though as with 14 minutes to play Kingsdown were also reduced to ten men for a foul on Liam Watson. It was Trowbridge who looked the more likely to score in the closing stages and they were given a golden opportunity when a foul on Derek Wheeler saw the referee point to the spot. Wheeler himself took responsibility for the penalty but shot high and wide and the game finished with just the two goals as Trowbridge, the last team to win the cup from the Wiltshire Senior League, progressed to the last eight where they will meet the winner of the Wroughton v Amesbury Town tie in the quarter final. The full results to date and the draw for the quarter final is shown below:

Charles Twelftree Trophy

The four Berkshire based clubs were all involved in the Charles Twelftree Trophy, the County Cup for senior sides in Berkshire and it was to be a disappointing afternoon for the Wiltshire Senior League sides as just Shrivenham were able to make progress to the next round. League leaders Kintbury Rangers were up against near neighbours Hungerford Town U23. With many links between the two sides it was no surprise that it turned out to be a tight affair with neither side able to find the net in 90 minutes of football. Penalties were needed to settle matters, and it was Hungerford who held their nerve to win the spot kick shootout 3-0.

Letcombe were home to cup holders Burghfield from the Thames Valley League Premier Division and fell to a 4-2 defeat, Ben Cleary with his eleventh of the season and Jack Daley with the two Letcombe goals.

Faringdon Town meanwhile made the long journey to Wokingham Town Reserves but will be taking no further part in this season’s competition after they fell to a 3-1 defeat against their opponents from Division One of the Thames Valley Premier League. Faringdon have a big night this coming Wednesday when they play their first ever game under their new floodlights when they entertain near neighbours Shrivenham at Tucker Park.

On the subject of Shrivenham, as noted above they were the only winners from the league in the Charles Twelftree Trophy on Saturday, securing a 3-0 victory over Reading City U23 in a sporting contest at the Ian Richardson Football Ground. The damage was all done in the first half. Jacob Newdick opening the scoring before Brad Hirst fired in his fourth goal in this season’s cup competition to double Shrivenham’s lead. A third from James Hirst before the break meant the game was effectively won at half time but whilst Reading City came back strong in the second half, Shrivenham ensured they did not concede to progress to the next round.

Division One

With it being Wiltshire Junior Cup weekend there were just two league games played in Division One this weekend, starting on Friday night under lights at Kintbury Recreation Ground. With Kintbury Rangers first team playing at home in their own County Cup the next day Kintbury were happy to move the scheduled league game for their Development Team against Shrivenham Development to the Friday night. Kintbury were rewarded for their pro-active approach as the Development side picked up their fifth win of the season to climb one place in the table to seventh thanks to two goals from Harry Murtagh in the first seven minutes of the game. Visitors Shrivenham Dev put Kintbury under a lot of pressure as they sought to get back in the game but were unable to find the back of the net as Kintbury claimed the three points.

The one game on Saturday saw Down Ampney move up to second place in the table with a 3-1 home win over Lambourn Sports. Leadings scorer Charlie McCuish added two more to his tally for the season to move onto 16, with Lewis Baston getting the other Down Ampney goal, Jamie Stones with the reply for Lambourn Sports.

Wiltshire Junior Cup

Ten sides from Division One of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League were looking to join Bishops Cannings in the hat for the Third Round although Cricklade Town were to join Bishops Cannings in the draw without kicking a ball as scheduled opponents Nalgo Masters were confirmed as having folded late in the week meaning just nine teams saw action on Saturday. It was a mixed afternoon for our sides, with five teams winning through to the last 32 but four going out of the competition.

Biggest winners of the day were Marlborough Town who defeated Pilot from Division Two of the Trowbridge & District League 4-0. The goals were shared around with Tom Womersley, Simon Neale, Kieran Maidment and Dan Burke all getting on the score sheet.

Bratton also had a comfortable afternoon away at Stroud & District League side Minety, winning 4-1 with Jack Booth the star of the show, helping himself to a hat-trick with Adam Kenich getting the other Bratton goal.

Two goals from Liam Wood were enough to give Pewsey Vale Development a 2-0 away win against Donhead United from Division 6 of the Dorset Senior League.

It was a somewhat closer run thing for both Devizes Town Reserves and Bradford Town Reserves in their respective games. Devizes Town Reserves travelled to the outskirts of Swindon to play Swindon & District League Premier Division side Chiseldon. Goals from Liam Moffat and Oliver Norman gave Devizes a 2-0 lead, whilst Chiseldon pulled one back in the closing stages of the game there was to be no equaliser and Devizes progressed to Round Three.

Bradford Town Reserves entertained another side from the Swindon & District League, Bassett Bulldogs who had a short stint in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League a few seasons back. Bradford Town led 1-0 at half time thanks to a Kieran Balchin goal and doubled their lead with a second for Balchin who moved onto seven for the season. Again, the opponents from the Swindon & District League pulled one back but Bradford Town Reserves ensured they didn’t concede again to become the fifth side on the day to join Bishops Cannings and Cricklade Town in that next round.

Four teams exited the competition at the Second Round stage. Kingsdown Dev were beaten 2-1 away at Trowbridge & District League Division One side Holt, Joseph Cameron with their goal.  Redhouse went down by the same score away at Swindon & District League Premier Division side Old Town Athletic.

Stratton Juniors entertained Avon Valley, who are going well in Division Two of the Trowbridge & District League, and pushed their opponents all the way, eventually losing by the odd goal in five, Levi Dunn and Dan Bond with the Stratton Juniors goals.

Purton also went out of the competition to Trowbridge & District League opponents, Division One side The Stiffs winning their first game of the season, defeating Purton 7-2. The two consolation goals for Purton were scored by Mustafa Cylasbi and Kane Owen.

The Wiltshire FA have already made the draw for the Third Round and it has thrown up an interesting game for Division One leaders Cricklade Town who will be at home to Hellenic League Division Two side Swindon Supermarine Development who, like Cricklade have won all their games so far this season.

Another massive tie sees Bishops Cannings and Devizes Town Reserves drawn against each other in a cup tie for the second time this season, having already played each other in the Fountain Trophies Cup. Devizes won in that league cup game, but Bishops Cannings will be seeking to avenge that defeat when they meet again on November 2^nd in another game that is guaranteed to draw a large crowd.

There are no other all Wiltshire Senior League ties. Bradford Town Reserves reward for defeating Bassett Bulldogs is an away game at Durrington Reserves from Division Five of the Dorset League.

Marlborough Town are also away to opposition from the Dorset League but have a much tougher looking tie as they have been drawn against opponents from the top division of the league in Mere Town who are another side who have won all their games so far this season.

Pewsey Vale Development have a home draw with Coleview from the Premier Division of the Swindon & District League their opponents.

Finally, Bratton find themselves on the road again with an away tie against Warminster Town Reserves from the Trowbridge & District League. The full results to date and the draw for the Third Round is shown below:

Tues 15th & Weds 16th October 2024

Future is Bright At Faringdon,
Park Now Unbeaten in Five

Premier Division

It was a historic evening at Tucker Park on Wednesday as Faringdon Town played their first game under their new floodlights with near neighbours Shrivenham their first opponents for an illuminated evening game. The historic occasion drew a bumper crowd with over 250 in attendance. On what was to be a very wet evening the home side suffered a blow when, with just three minutes on the clock, influential Peter Fletcher was forced to come off due to an injury. Shrivenham had the better of things in the early stages and joint leading scorer Brad Hirst had the first real chance of the game on six minutes, cutting in from the left his effort across goal in the end looked more of a cross than shot but eluded everyone in the box and went well wide of the far post. Shrivenham went close again when the ball fell to Chris Rivers on the edge of the box, but his shot went over the crossbar, and it remained 0-0. The deadlock was broken 15 minutes in, and the goal went the way of the visitors Shrivenham. Defender Josh Forth misjudged the bounce of the ball and saw the ball go over his head straight to Brad Hirst. This allowed Hirst a clear run at goal and his low shot at the end of it was well saved by Jack Gibson in the Faringdon goal but unfortunately for the Faringdon keeper the ball fell nicely into the path of James Hirst who was following up and he made no mistake firing into the net to put Shrivenham 1-0 up. Five minutes later Shrivenham went close to extending their lead, Jacob Newdick getting behind the Faringdon back line but hitting his shot just over the bar with the goal at his mercy. The first real chance of the night for the home side came on 24 minutes, Matthew Bibby cutting in from the left hitting a shot which was on target but was hit straight at Shrivenham keeper Liam Keville. Faringdon went close to creating another good chance six minutes from time, the ball falling to Harry Timbrell in the box, but the Shrivenham defence closed him down quickly before he could get a shot on goal and the danger was averted as the two teams turned round with Shrivenham one goal to the good.

The second half got underway with the rain still falling and Faringdon found themselves up against it when they were temporarily reduced to ten men, Jamie Tuck being sent to the sin bin after disputing the booking picked up by teammate Josh Forth. Shrivenham were unable to take advantage of the extra man though, the closest they went to adding to the score sheet was when an audacious lob from deep within their own half bounced over Gibson in the Faringdon goal, but he just did enough to prevent the ball going over the line. At the other end Faringdon went close to an equaliser on the hour mark when Max Wills saw his shot turned around the post by Keville. Five minutes later Wills went close again with shot which hit the outside of the post, and it remained 1-0. Two minutes later Faringdon went close again, Daniel Loyden seeing his effort tipped onto the crossbar by Keville who was having a great game in goal for the visitors. Whilst Faringdon were certainly having the better of things in the second half it was not all one-way traffic. Eighteen minutes from time Jacob Newdick was denied twice in succession by Gibson in the Faringdon goal, with Gibson pulling off a great save from the initial shot from Newdick and then saving again when the ball fell back to teh Shrivenham striker. Both keepers were excelling on the night and next up it was Keville’s turn, the Shrivenham keeper turning over Loyden’s header. At the other end Shrivenham went in search of that elusive second to make sure of the points, Brad Hirst going close with a first time shot after he was found with a cross from the right.

It remained just the one goal in the game but there was to be added drama in the closing stages when in added time at the end of the game Shrivenham found themselves reduced to ten men, substitute Alex Harrison seeing red for a foul on Bibby. However, Shrivenham managed to see out the remainder of added time without conceding as it finished 1-0. So, Faringdon’s big night did not end with a victory, but the club were rewarded on a historic night with a bumper crowd which saw £140 raised from collection tins in memory of Jack Badger, which Faringdon rounded up to £200, with Shrivenham also set to donate a further £100 to the fund for the family of their former player. The win saw Shrivenham open up a six-point gap over Larkhall Athletic Development and they are now within three points of their beaten opponents with a game in hand.

Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights of the match and interviews with the respective team managers and the Faringdon Town Chairman by clicking on the link below or using the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website which also has links to other games in the league covered by Your Sport Swindon.

Park United are one of the form teams in the division and on Wednesday night travelled to the edge of Bath to take on Larkhall Athletic Development unbeaten in four games, three of which had been won. A big thank you to the two teams for agreeing to reinstating the league fixture at short notice once it became clear that Park's County Cup game against Malmesbury Victoria Development was not going to be taking place. The improving Park side produced one of their best performances of the season to avenge the home defeat they had suffered at the hands of Larkhall back in August, scoring four unanswered goals against the young Larkhall side. Leading scorer Lewis McCarron led the way firing a hat-trick to take his total for the season into double figures, substitute Jake Angell with the other Park goal. The win for Park United saw them climb up to fourth place in the table, an impressive showing in their first season as a Senior club.

Wiltshire Senior Cup

One of the three outstanding games in the Wiltshire Senior Cup was played on Tuesday night  and it saw Melksham Town Reserves progress to the quarter final at the expense of fellow Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division side Pewsey Vale thanks to two goals from Luke Ballinger and one from Leo Rendell in a 3-1 win, Andy Rossiter with the Pewsey goal. It was not Pewsey's night as they had two players dismissed, ending the game with just nine men. Melksham Town Reserves will be away to near neighbours Devizes Town in the quarter final.

The game between Wroughton and Amesbury Town will now be this Saturday, whilst the game between Park United and Malmesbury Victoria Dev will now be the following Saturday at Park. 

Fountain Trophies Senior Cup

One of the two outstanding games in the First Round of the Fountain Trophies Cup was also played on Tuesday night when Division One side Kintbury Rangers Development were looking to cause a cup upset against Premier Division side Trowbridge Town in difficult wet conditions. Although at the end of the night it would be the Premier Division side who would progress to the next round they certainly knew they had been in a game as they were pushed all the way by the Division One side. It started well for the home side Kintbury as Harry Murtagh put them 1-0 up with just four minutes on the clock. Trowbridge got themselves back on level terms on 24 minutes, Nick Taylor putting a pass across the box which found Tom Gilbert who beat his man and slotted the ball home from close range. It remained all square at the break. It was to remain that way until 13 minutes from time. Having been put under pressure by the home side for periods of the second half, Trowbridge broke quickly from defence and ball into the box from Chev Allen found Taylor at the far post who fired in off a Kintbury defender for 2-1. That would prove to be the winning goal as Trowbridge progressed to the last 16 of the competition where they will be home to Pewsey Vale in the Second Round.

Saturday 19th October 2024

Kintbury Extend Lead At Top of Prem,

Cricklade Do The Same in Div 1

Premier Division

Due to cup games and postponements, there were just six games played this weekend in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with the big game of the day being at Pewsey Recreation Ground where third in the table Pewsey Vale entertained the league leaders Kintbury Rangers. A solitary strike from Kintbury’s Kye Williams was all that separated the two sides at the break but second half goals from Jesse Bowers and a first for Danny Hale since his transfer from Blunsdon ensured Kintbury went home with all three points following a 3-0 win. With second place Wroughton in County Cup action the win for Kintbury saw them extend their unbeaten start in the league and open up a six-point lead over Wroughton, with both having played 13 games.

Melksham Town Reserves moved up to third spot in the table with a hard fought 3-2 win away against Salisbury Development on the 3G at Sarum. They started well getting an early lead on eight minutes, but Salisbury were back on level terms ten minutes later through Henry Anoma and it remained 1-1 at the break. Having scored early in the first half, Melksham repeated the trick in the second half, going to 2-1 up within a minute of the restart. For the second time in the game Salisbury levelled matters up, Dan Bazen firing in midway through the second half. There was to be late drama though, Melksham snatching a winner three minutes from time to break Salisbury hearts. There were two more goals for Kegan Smart for Melksham as he took his tally to 14 for the season, Aron Byfield with the other Melksham goal which saw Melksham move above Pewsey Vale and to within two points of second place Wroughton having played one game more.

Letcombe could well turn out to be Kintbury Rangers main challengers for the title, with games in hand over all the teams above them in the table they could move to within four points of the leaders if they won both of their games in hand. They picked up their eighth league win of the season on Saturday thanks to a storming first half performance that saw them lead 3-0 against Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development, James Webster getting the opener before two goals from Kieron Kirby put them in a commanding position. Flynn Walters pulled one back for the home side but a fourth for Kintbury scored by Dan Timbrell made sure of the points, a second for Flynn for the home side proving to be nothing more than a consolation goal as it finished 4-2 to the visitors. 

Letcombe who were 4-2 winners away at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development

Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves have been consistently inconsistent this season but are currently having one of their better runs. Having won 2-1 at home against Shrewton United last week they made it two wins in a row with a 3-0 away success on their first ever visit to Faringdon Town. Goals from Dean Reynolds, Jack Stevens and a third of the season from Josh Hoey secured the points for the Salisbury based side who moved level on points with both Calne Town and eighth placed Kingsdown as a result of the win.

Shrewton United bounced back from that defeat at the hands of Bemerton last week with a 4-1 victory over Calne Town Reserves, who lost and conceded four goals in the process for the second week running. Two quick fire goals early in the first half set them on their way. The first on 15 minutes saw a Calne defender turn a Lewis Cross shot across goal into his own net. A minute later Shrewton doubled their lead, Charlie Jackson scoring his eighth of the season. Calne managed to avoid conceding again before the break but found themselves 3-0 down six minutes into the second half, James Collins scoring with an audacious back heel after good work from Aiden Compton had set him up. Calne pulled one back 12 minutes from time but any thoughts of a comeback were ended when Lewis Cross added a fourth nine minutes from time after an assist from Ben Jenks as it finished 4-1 to Shrewton.

Larkhall Athletic Development have not had a particularly good start to the season and currently sit second from bottom in the table with just three points. The Bath based side were up against the team who started the day just above them in the table, Shrivenham and it was to be another day where things did not go the way of the Bath based side, although it had started brightly with them going 1-0 up. However, James Hirst got Shrivenham back on level terms with his fourth goal of the season as the teams turned round at the break all square. Hirst then netted a second and his fifth of the season to put Shrivenham 2-1 up before Alex Harrison made sure of the points with a third for Shrivenham. A series of injuries saw Larkhall reduced to nine men at the end of the game, with manager James Riccio having to take over in goal as Shrivenham secured their third win of the season and their second victory of the week. Larkhall will look to turn around their fortunes in midweek when they play host to another struggling side, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development.

The league fixture between Blunsdon and Trowbridge Town and the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup tie between Kingsdown and Down Ampney were both postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Wiltshire Senior Cup

Second in the table Wroughton meanwhile were taking a break from league action with their re-arranged Wiltshire Senior Cup tie against Amesbury Town. For some unknown reason the tie was not moved to the Weir Field as should have happened in accordance with the Wiltshire FA’s own rules which they had amended ahead of the current season. Whilst the merits of switching a game after just one postponement could be debated, that is what the revised rules stated should have happened, but these were not followed, the game being restaged at Amesbury having been initially switched to Wroughton on FA Full-Time before then being moved back to Amesbury.  If it was going to be played at Amesbury it should have been played in midweek thus avoiding the postponement of a Wessex League game and four teams in the Wiltshire Senior League having their fixtures changed at short notice. When the two sides finally got to play the game, it resulted in an entertaining affair that saw the sides share six goals, two more for Wroughton’s leading scorer Jonathan Peachey-Score taking him onto 18 for the season and one for Bonsa Teshome. With the scores tied at 3-3 it meant penalties were needed to settle matters, Wroughton winning the shootout 5-4 in sudden death, Nathan Barbato netting the winning penalty. Wroughton will now be home to Trowbridge Town in the next round.

Division One

It was a day of away wins in Division One of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with all five league games going the way of the visitors. The series of away wins included one for league leaders Cricklade Town who were away to Lambourn Sports who are having a decent season and started the day in fifth place in the table. A first half goal from Callum Parsons saw Cricklade 1-0 up at the break. Lee Hayward added a second to put Cricklade in command and a third from Levi Cox late on, his seventh of the season, made sure of the points for Cricklade. That is now ten wins out of ten for Mani Roper’s side who should make it eleven next week when they make the short four mile journey along the B4553 to take on struggling Purton.

With Down Ampney scheduled to be in cup action Bishops Cannings had the chance to move second in the table and it was mission accomplished for the Devizes based side as both Ben Haffenden and leading scorer Szymon Raczek scored twice in a 4-2 success at Stratton Juniors. Haffenden scored both his goals in the first half as Bishops Cannings led 3-1 at the break and it took a second from Raczek to add to the one he got in the first half to finally seal the points for Bishops Cannings, veteran Shane Hibbert and Ogedi Uzokwe with the two goals for Stratton.

Marlborough Town moved above Lambourn into fifth place with an emphatic 12-0 win at the Red House against Purton. There were hat-tricks for both leading scorer Jake Farrell and Tom Womersley, Farrell moving onto 13 for the season with his three. Harry Gibson bagged a brace with the other Marlborough goals coming through Ben Tylee, Harry Womersley, Zac Symons and an own goal.

Kingsdown Development picked up their third win of the season away at Bratton, a hat-trick from Josh Atwell doing the damage in a 3-1 win, a first of the season from Matthew Dew in reply for Bratton.

The other league game played saw Bradford Town Reserves return from their trip into Swindon with all three points following a 4-1 away success against Redhouse. Harry Ledbury put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot but Reece Pithers with his third of the season had Redhouse on level terms at the break. Ledbury then restored Bradford Town’s lead early in the second half before two goals from Kieran Balchin with his eight and ninth goals of the season made sure of the points for the visitors. The win saw Bradford Town move to within two points of Bratton with a game in hand.

David Grainge Saturday Trophy

Two of the Berkshire based sides were in County Cup action in the David Grainge Saturday Trophy. Kintbury Rangers Development had a comfortable passage into the next round against Bracknell Aces. Leading 3-0 at the break thanks to two goals from Charlie Allsop and one from Josh Walllin, Kintbury added two further goals through leading scorer Harry Murtagh and Sean Cook in the second half as they ran out 5-0 winners over the East Berkshire Football League side. 

Unfortunately, Shrivenham Development will not be joining them in the draw for the next round after they exited the competition, beaten 6-5 on penalties by Harchester Hawks from Division Three of the Thames Valley League, this after it had finished 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes. It was a story of missed chances for the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side as they had enough chances to have won the tie before the need for penalties, the two they did score coming through Stephen Lepine and John Hannings.

Saturday 26th October 2024

Top Two Both Win in Prem,

Cricklade Extend Lead in Div 1

Premier Division

Last season Kintbury Rangers pushed Amesbury Town all the way in the race for the title, eventually finishing seven points short. This season they are aiming to go one better and go into November unbeaten in the league after registering their twelfth win in 14 games with a 2-1 away victory at Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Ominously for the rest of the division they now have last season’s top scorer George Armstrong back in their ranks and he scored his first of the season in this latest Kintbury win, this season’s leading scorer Kye Williams, with his eleventh of the season, with the other Kintbury goal. Dean Reynolds with the Bemerton goal with all three goals coming in the first half.

Wroughton kept in touch with the league leaders with a 2-0 home win over Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development. The game remained without a goal until the 65^th minute when Wroughton’s leading scorer Jonathan Peachey-Score broke the deadlock with his 19^th goal of the season. Ten minutes later Kassa Anderson made sure of the points with his second of the game. Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development had also been in action in midweek when they visited Larkhall Athletic Development and they had moved out of the bottom four places thanks to a 4-2 victory. Two goals from Caleb Geib and one from George Lance and Flynn Walters securing the three points, with Aidan Maslen and Tatenda Mateke getting the Larkhall goals. Following the Wroughton defeat Royal Wootton Bassett remain just outside the bottom four on goal difference, whilst Wroughton’s win sees them remain six points behind Kintbury with the two sides yet to meet this season.

The top match of the day was at Letcombe, where the home side who sat fifth in the table ahead of this weekend’s fixtures were up against the side just above them in the table, Pewsey Vale. It started well for the home side as Xavi Diaz put them 1-0 up but Pewsey were level by half time and then went ahead early in the second half, Brandon Vincent and former Letcombe striker Josh Fowler with the two Pewsey goals. Ben Cleary then got Letcombe back on level terms late on in the game, heading in from a corner for his 12^th of the season. Just as it looked as though the two sides would have to settle for a point, deep into injury time Kieran Kerby scored a third and winning goal for Letcombe. The win saw Letcombe climb above both their beaten opponents and Melksham Town Reserves into third spot in the table. Whilst currently ten points behind leaders Kintbury, Letcombe have two games in hand.

Melksham Town Reserves suffered a setback to their promotion ambitions when they fell to a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Shrewton United. They trailed 2-0 at the break to goals from Joe Spratt and Charlie Utterson and it got worse for them when Utterson scored his second of the game within a minute of the restart to give Shrewton a 3-0 lead. Melksham rallied and pulled one back through Sam Hendy on 52 minutes and then scored a second 12 minutes from time to give them hope of getting something out of the game, Hendy again the scorer. However, Shrewton’s defence held firm to prevent any further goals being conceded as they picked up their second away win of the season.

Trowbridge Town also lost ground in their push for promotion when they fell to their third home defeat of the season, Calne Town Reserves leaving with all three points following a 2-1 win. Jamie Lyons had given home side Trowbridge an early lead from the penalty spot after a foul on Connor McKay. However, four minutes later Calne were back on level terms following another penalty, Sean Bailey putting the spot kick away to make it 1-1 and it remained that way at the break. A second half strike from Calne’s Lewis Royston saw them end their run of three games without a win and climb above their beaten opponents into seventh place in the table. To add to Trowbridge’s miserable afternoon they had Derek Wheeler sent off late on for a second bookable offence.

There was the proverbial game of two halves at the Ian Richardson Football Ground where Shrivenham’s visitors were Kingsdown. The first half belonged to Kingsdown as two penalties from Josh Atwell saw them lead 2-0 at the break. James Hirst started the Shrivenham come back pulling one back early in the second half. The same player then scored a second for Shrivenham from a free kick to level matters up. The game was completely turned around late on when Matty Horsell scored what proved to be the winner for Shrivenham who moved out of the bottom four as a result of their fourth league win of the season and their fourth straight win in all competitions.

There were a couple of important games at the bottom end of the table, and it was to prove to be a good afternoon for the young Salisbury Development side who were another side to move out of the bottom four with a win. Goals from Josh Ngombi, Henry Anoma and Naman Gurung secured a convincing 3-0 win over a Faringdon Town side who do not travel well, having now lost all six games on the road they have played. They have also now lost four league games in a row which has seen them slip into the bottom four.

The final game in the Premier Division on Saturday was at Sutton Park where Blunsdon’s visitors were Larkhall Athletic Development who were looking to end a run of four straight defeats of their own. The teams turned around all square at the break with a goal apiece. John O’Donoghue then put Blunsdon 2-1 up but an equaliser for Larkhall ten minutes from time gave them a deserved share of the points. Jordan Phillips and Harvey Kendrick with the Larkhall goals, Nick Craft with that first half goal for Blunsdon.

Wiltshire Senior Cup

The one outstanding tie in the Second Round of the Wiltshire Senior Cup was played on Saturday involving two sides from the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League, Park United and Malmesbury Victoria Development. It is the Chippenham based side Park United who progressed to a Third Round meeting with Warminster Town following a comfortable 5-0 win. Adam Mitchell set them on their way with further goals from Lewis McCarron, Ben Pring, player manager Darrin Moss and Ben Selman completing the scoring for Park.

The last eight of the Wiltshire FA's oldest and most prestigious of competitions sees five of the eight sides in the quarter final being from the Corsham Print WIltshire Senior League with three Western League sides Calne Town, Devizes Town and Warminster Town joining the clubs from our league in the last eight. It is 21 years since a team from the league lifted the cup and could this be the season when that drought is ended?

Division One

In Division One league leaders Cricklade Town opened up a six-point lead at the top of the table with their eleventh straight win and it was a convincing one against near neighbours Purton, with Cricklade scoring an unanswered baker’s dozen. Both Callum Parsons and Levi Cox helped themselves to four goals, Cox scoring against the side he played for last season. Harry Ayres scored twice with the other goals coming courtesy of Connor Waldon, Scott Chilcott and Aiden Henshaw. Whilst Cricklade have won all eleven of their league games so far, Purton in contrast have now lost all of their first ten but hopefully things will improve from them as the season progresses with additions made to the management team this week.

The reason Cricklade increased their lead at the top of the table was due to second place Bishops Cannings losing 5-4 away against a Redhouse side who are still under the temporary management of Veterans’ manager Darren Grace and who are showing definite signs of improvement. On target for Redhouse in this goal fest were Daniel Axford with two, Arron Dale, Kieran Dunne and an eighth of the season from Jack Duffy. In reply for Bishops Cannings there were two goals from Harry Drewitt and one apiece from Will Purdy and Lleyton Edwards.

There was another high-scoring game at Trowbridge Road where Bradford Town Reserves entertained Kintbury Rangers Development. A storming first half from the visitors Kintbury saw them lead 4-1 at the break but Bradford Town Reserves staged a second half comeback to get within one goal of the visitors but were unable to find an equaliser as it finished 4-3 to Kintbury. Charlie Allsop scored twice for Kintbury with a 17^th of the season from Harry Murtagh and one from Cameron Hoyle completing the scoring for Kintbury. In reply for Bradford Town, Kieran Balchin took his tally for the season into double figures and Bartosz Gorecki bagged a brace.

There were seven goals also in the game at Lambourn Sports where the home sides visitors were Marlborough Town. The two sides started the day level on points but with Marlborough having the much better goal difference. However, Lambourn went someway to eroding that differential as well as putting a three-point gap between the two sides thanks to a 5-2 win which saw them climb two places in the table to fourth spot. Leading scorer Lewis Shaw helped himself to a hat-trick to take his total for the season to 13 with further goals coming through Ben Curtis and Dan Reynolds.  Both Marlborough goals were scored by their leading scorer Jake Farrell who took his total for the season to 15.

At the bottom end of the table both Kingsdown Development and Shrivenham Development picked up welcome wins to establish a gap between themselves and the bottom three. Shrivenham Dev were involved in a close encounter with Pewsey Vale Development, a Luke Saunders goal for Shrivenham being all that separated the sides on the day, on what was a good day for the club as a whole with their first team also getting that win against Kingsdown.

Kingsdown Development have added some experience to their squad and are starting to find their form as they made it two wins in a row, building on last week’s victory at Bratton with a 4-0 home win over Stratton Juniors. Two goals from Bongumenzi Ceko plus further goals from Ramon Faruq and Nick Stanley did the damage for Kingsdown.

Gloucestershire FA Intermediate North County Cup

Down Ampney were in Gloucestershire County Cup action in the Second Round of the Intermediate North Cup. Their opponents were Longhope the current leaders of the North Gloucestershire League Division One who went into the game against Down Ampney unbeaten, having won seven of their opening eight league games. However, that unbeaten record is no more as Down Ampney inflicted a first defeat of the season on their visitors as goals from Charlie McCuish, Connor Hibbs, Steve Algar and Harvey Coster, his fifth of the season in this cup competition,  secured a 4-0 win for Down Ampney who progress to the Third Round where they will be away to Longlevens 4^th team. 

Saturday 2nd November 2024

Kintbury Open Up 9 Pt Lead in Prem,

Chasing Pack Close Gap in Div 1

Premier Division

Kintbury Rangers march on at the top of the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League registering their 13^th win in 15 unbeaten games with a 3-0 home success over Pewsey Vale. The victory saw them complete a quick-fire league double over their opponents and open up a nine point lead at the top of the  Premier Division, as both teams who started the day just below them in the table were beaten. A 12^th of the season from Kye Williams plus further strikes from Terry Patton and Danny Hale, who scored his second goal for Kintbury following his transfer from Blunsdon, did the damage for Kintbury. Visitors Pewsey Vale have now lost four games in a row in all competitions which has seen them slip down the table.

Second placed Wroughton lost ground in the title race when they were surprisingly beaten at home by Salisbury Development who made it three wins in their last four league games as they continue their climb away from the relegation positions. Salisbury went ahead on 25 minutes, Naman Gurung with a fine individual goal to open the scoring. Salisbury then doubled their lead when Daniel Bazen fired in following good work by Joshua Ngombi to lead 2-0 at the break. It remained that way until just after the hour mark when Max Scholefield pulled one back for Wroughton, but the home side were unable to find an equaliser as it finished 2-1 to the visitors, who recorded their best result of the season to date.

Letcombe also lost ground in the title race when they were beaten 1-0 by Park United, Lewis McCarron getting the only goal of the game ten minutes from time to inflict a third defeat of the season on Letcombe. Letcombe dropped one place in the table to fourth spot as a result of the defeat whilst the win for Park saw them move up to fifth place level on points with their beaten opponents having played one game more. Your Sport Swindon were at the game and subscribers can view highlights by clicking on the link below or using the link from the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where you can also access all other games in the league that have been covered by Your Sport Swindon.

Melksham Town Reserves moved up to third spot after securing their second draw of the week. In midweek they had been held to a 1-1 draw by improving Shrivenham, Kegan Smart bagging his 15^th of the season with an equaliser for Melksham after Shrivenham’s Jacob Newdick had given his side the lead. On Saturday Melksham Town Reserves made the short journey to Trowbridge Town in a battle between two sides who have promotion aspirations this season. Ahead of the game Trowbridge had kissed and made up with former manager and talented play-maker Jamie Jordan who had left them partway through their championship season in 2022-23 to join Bradford Town. Returning with Jordan was their top scorer from that title winning season Ben Wickens as they continue to build a side designed to try and ensure a top five finish. It started well for the home side, having gone close in the very first minute they got themselves in front with just 11 minutes on the clock, Jordan Kirk heading in from a cross from captain Jamie Lyons. Despite Trowbridge going close to getting s second on a couple of occasions the lead did not last long though, as Liam Brooks brought Melksham back level just eight minutes later following an error from another new Trowbridge signing, goalkeeper Zak Beard who was playing against the club where he started his senior career. However, following a sending off Melksham found themselves down to ten men and faced the prospect of 70 minutes one man short. Trowbridge sought to take advantage of the extra man and went close on a couple of occasions before the break to restore their lead, but it remained 1-1 at the interval. Trowbridge continued to push for a second after the restart and regained the lead just before the hour mark, Wickens setting up Connor McKay who fired home for his first Trowbridge goal of the season. Trowbridge continued to pressurise the Melksham goal but could not find that elusive third which would have secured the three points, with the Melksham keeper having an excellent game. However, there was to be late drama with the award of a penalty in the final minute of the match to visitors Melksham. Leo Rendell duly put the spot kick away to give his side a share of the points as they ended the game with just nine men following another sending off, with Trowbridge also having manager Wayne Thorne sent off for comments made to the referee following the award of the late penalty. The point for Melskham sees them sit third in the table but they have played more games than all of the sides around them. Trowbridge Town meanwhile sit down in tenth place but with games in hand over all but two of the sides above them in the table.

Shrewton United were not at their best according to manager George Plank on social media but were still too good for visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development on the day as goals from Jordan Cross, Charlie Utterson and a ninth of the season from Brennan Knowles secured a 3-0 home win that saw Shrewton move above Calne Town Reserves, up into seventh spot with their eighth win of the campaign.

Having secured that point in midweek away at Melksham Town Reserves, Shrivenham continued their resurgence with a 2-1 away win at Calne Town Reserves which means they are now unbeaten in six games in all competitions. Calne Town Reserves had also been in action in midweek becoming the final side through to the last 16 of the Fountain Trophies Cup with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Malmesbury Victoria Development. On target for Calne in their cup win were Edward Summers with two, Matthew Robinson, Lewis Royston and substitute Harry Stiles. Calne will now be home to Letcombe in the next round. In Saturday’s league encounter with Shrivenham it was the visitors Shrivenham who led 1-0 at the break thanks to a James Hirst goal and a second from Corey Francome in the second half secured the three points, Matt Robinson with his second goal of the week with the reply for Calne Town Reserves.

There was a close affair on the 3G at Plain Ham where Larkhall Athletic Development’s visitors to the new 3G pitch were Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves. In a game which could have gone either way, in the end it finished up honours even at one goal apiece, James Okell scoring for the home side Larkhall and Archie Downes with the Bemerton reply. The point for Larkhall leaves them seven points adrift of third from bottom Faringdon Town, whilst Bemerton remain in eleventh spot, well clear of the relegation positions.

Biggest winners of the day were Kingsdown who ran out 7-0 winners in their local derby game against an out of sorts Blunsdon side. The only blemish on the afternoon for Kingsdown was having manager Adrian Wilkinson sent off for comments made to the referee, the second Premier Division side to suffer that fate on an eventful afternoon in the Premier Division. Star of the show for Kingsdown was Antonio Gerrish who helped himself to a hat-trick, Aiden Miller bagged a brace and there were further goals from Tyler Preedy and Finley Merchant as Kingsdown recorded their biggest win of the season.

Division One

With it being Third Round day in the Wiltshire Junior Cup there were just four league games played in Division One of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. With league leaders Cricklade Town supposed to be in County Cup action, both Bishops Cannings and Down Ampney had the opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table and both took full advantage of the opportunity, although in Down Ampney’s case it was a close-run thing.

Down Ampney were at home to another of the promotion chasing sides Devizes Town Reserves, which ahead of the game looked to be the top match of the day, and it certainly lived up to its billing with the two sides sharing nine goals with Down Ampney, in the end, just edging it by the odd goal. Devizes Town Reserves had much the better of things in the first half, leading 3-1 at the break but Down Ampney came back strongly in the second half to level matters up at 3-3 only to see Devizes go back in front with a fourth goal. However, two goals late on ensured it would be the home side celebrating as they took the three points courtesy of a 5-4 victory. Two more goals for Charlie McCuish saw him move joint top of the goal scorer chart with 19 goals, moving level with Cricklade Town’s Josh Parsons, to be joined by two others by the end of the day. The other Down Ampney goals were scored by Steve Algar, George Bailey and an 18^th of the season from Harvey Coster who sits just one goal behind the foursome on 19 in the goal scoring chart. In reply for Devizes Town Reserves there was two for Harvey Swain and one apiece for Rowan Anning and Theo Corbin. There could have been more Devizes' goals but for some tremendous saves from the Down Ampney keeper and their man of the match Nathan Townsend. The win for Down Ampney consolidated their third place position and they are now just five points behind leaders Cricklade Town having played the same number of games and with the two sides still to play each other this season. Devizes Town dropped to sixth due to results elsewhere but will be back in action on Wednesday night looking to return to winning ways with a Wiltshire Junior Cup tie under lights against near neighbours Bishops Cannings with a big crowd anticipated. Your Sport Swindon were again at the Down Ampney v Devizes Town Res game and subscribers can again view highlights by clicking on the link below or using the link from the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where you can also access all other games in the league that have been covered by Your Sport Swindon.

Down Ampney remain two points behind Bishops Cannings but with three games in hand, this after Bishops Cannings picked up a 3-1 away win at Shrivenham Dev to move to within three points of leaders Cricklade but having played those three more games. At Shrivenham the sides turned around with the game still looking for its first goal mainly due to Bishops Cannings keeper saving a penalty from Ryan Bragg and the home side missing a number of other chances that came their way. The goals came in the second half though and for Bishops Cannings leading scorer Szymon Raczek it was to prove to be a very productive 45 minutes as he helped himself to a hat-trick to join Parsons and McCuish at the top of the goal scoring chart, Henry Phillips with the Shrivenham Dev goal as the home side were left to rue those missed chances.

Kintbury Rangers Development are one of the form teams in the division and they made it five straight wins in the league with a 3-1 away win at Kingsdown Development. Leading 1-0 at half time thanks to a Harry Murtagh goal, Kintbury added two more after the break.  A second for Murtagh meant he was the fourth player to move onto 19 goals for the season, with Jamie Wallin getting the other Kintbury goal, Liam Geraghty with the solitary reply for Kingsdown. The win for Kintbury saw them move up to fifth place in the table.

The final league game in Division One was a Swindon derby game at Moredon where Redhouse’s visitors were Stratton Juniors. When the sides had met at the start of the season Redhouse had won 3-1 at Merton Fields but Stratton avenged that earlier home defeat running out 4-2 winners in the return fixture thanks to a hat-trick from Ogedi Uzokwe and a Ben Wells goal, Reece Pithers and a 14^th of the season from Cameron Shrubb in reply for Redhouse.

Wiltshire FA Junior County Cup

Five sides were set to be in action in the Third Round of the Wiltshire Junior Cup but in the end the tie, which looked to be the tie of the round, between Cricklade Town and Swindon Supermarine did not take place with Supermarine unable to raise a side and the tie awarded to Cricklade Town by the Wiltshire FA.

The four games that did go ahead resulted in mixed fortunes for the sides from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with two joining Cricklade in the fourth round and two exiting the competition. Safely through are Bratton who comfortably defeated Trowbridge & District League Division Two side Durrington, who have won all ten of their league games to date, but who had lost in the last round of this cup against Warminster Town Reserves only to be given a reprieve by the Wiltshire FA. Two goals from Joe Whiteman and one apiece from Louis Wilkins and Adam Kenich did the damage for Bratton in a 4-0 win.

The other side joining Cricklade Town and Bratton in the Fourth Round are Bradford Town Reserves who came from 2-0 down against Durrington Reserves to win 5-3. They were back on level terms at half time thanks to an 11^th of the season from Kieran Balchin and a penalty from Harry Ledbury. Ledbury and Balchin then both scored a second after the break and although Durrington Reserves pulled one back, a fifth for Bradford Town Reserves from Shay Grant ensured it was they who progressed to Round Four.

The two sides who exited the competition were Marlborough Town and Pewsey Vale Development. Marlborough Town had a tough looking away tie against Mere Town who sit second in the Dorset Senior League having won all six of their league games to date. They proved too strong on the day for Marlborough running out 5-3 winners, Jake Farrell with his 16^th of the season, Harry Womersley and Henry Johnstone with the Marlborough Town goals.

Pewsey Vale Development went out of the cup at the hands of Swindon & District League Premier Division side Coleview but penalties were needed to settle matters after it had finished 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes, Kierron Kiff and Charlie Dorland with the Pewsey Vale goals. The penalty shootout saw Coleview hold their nerve to win the spot kick contest 4-3.

With one of either Devizes Town Reserves or Bishops Cannings set to join Cricklade Town, Bratton and Bradford Town Reserves in the Fourth Round the Wiltshire FA have already made the draw. Cricklade Town have been given a tough home draw with Mere Town set to visit the Leisure Centre on the first Saturday in December. Bratton meanwhile have a home draw with Pewsey Vale Development's conquerors Coleview set to be their visitors, whilst Bradford Town Reserves will be away to Laverstock & Ford Reserves. The winner of the Devizes Town Reserves Bishops Cannings game will be home to Holt from the Trowbridge & District League. All the results to date in the cup and full Fourth Round draw is shown below:

Saturday 9th November 2024

Day of Close Games in Premier,

Down Ampney Move 2nd in Div 1

Premier Division

With Premier Division leaders Kintbury Rangers inactive due to their scheduled opponents Shrivenham being engaged in County Cup action, the chasing pack had the chance to close the gap at the top of the table. On a day of close games, with five of the seven games played decided by a one goal margin, it was mission accomplished for four of the five teams just below Kintbury in the table. The one team who did not take advantage of Kintbury’s inactivity were second placed Wroughton who fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Calne Town Reserves, Sean Bailey with his sixth of the season with the all-important goal. The win for Calne saw his side pick up their eighth win of the season and move up to eighth place in the table as a result. Despite the defeat Wroughton remained in second place but saw the four teams immediately below them in the table close the gap to them.

Third placed Melksham Town Reserves moved level on points with Wroughton following a hard fought 3-2 win over Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves with the visitors ending the game with just eight men as they had one sent off and two sent to the sin bin. On target for Melksham were Daryl Jones, Sam Whitehead and recent signing from Trowbridge Town, Nick Taylor, Archie Downes and Liam Greenough with the two goals for Bemerton. With promotion ambitions Melksham are now nine points behind Kintbury Rangers but have played three more games than the leaders.

Letcombe are just one point behind Melksham after they returned from Tucker Park with all three points following their local derby encounter with Faringdon Town. Faringdon are a tough proposition on their own patch, and they certainly made Letcombe work hard for the three points. Jordan Davies put Letcombe ahead with just seven minutes on the clock, Davies being put through by Kieran Kerby and firing in for 1-0. Faringdon were back on level terms just after the half hour mark, Adam Rudman putting Kyle Bowyer in on goal and Faringdon’s leading scoring making no mistake for his tenth goal of the season and it remained 1-1 at the break. Letcombe got themselves back in front within three minutes of the restart Xavi Diaz smashing in a free kick to restore his sides lead with what also proved to be the match winner. There were chances at both ends with Faringdon pushing for an equaliser, but Letcombe made sure they did not concede again to claim all three points.

Park United are the form team in the division and went into the game against Trowbridge Town unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, six of which have been won. That run now extends to eight unbeaten and seven victories as they secured a narrow 4-3 win over Trowbridge whose promotion ambitions took another knock. Park raced into an early 2-0 lead and whilst Trowbridge pulled one back through Charlie Maddison just before the half hour mark, Park restored their two-goal advantage seven minutes later. Deep into injury time Trowbridge were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty which Ben Wickens successfully despatched to make it 3-2 at the break. It remained that way until 15 minutes from time when Park restored their two-goal advantage but a third for Trowbridge seven minutes from time from James Cox ensured a few nervous moments at the end before Park knew the points were safe. On target for Park were Lewis McCarron with two, taking his total for the season to 14, Ben Pring and Ben Selman. Park remained in fifth place in the table just one point below second placed Wroughton.

Pewsey Vale remain in sixth place, two points behind Park having played two games more, after a narrow 1-0 win away at Blunsdon, James Guthrie with the only goal of the game. The defeat for Blunsdon sees them remain in the bottom four on goal difference.

Kingsdown moved up to seventh spot in the table following a 2-0 away win at Salisbury Development giving them back-to-back wins and their ninth victory in sixteen games. Aiden Miller who had scored twice in the 7-0 win at Blunsdon last week again bagged a brace at Salisbury as he continued his goal scoring form since his return to the side.

At the bottom end of the table there was another vital win for Larkhall Athletic Development away at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development. When the two sides had met a few weeks previous, Royal Wootton Bassett had returned from Bath with all three points following a 4-2 win but Larkhall avenged that defeat with a 2-0 away success. Harvey Kendrick had put Larkhall ahead and it remained just the one goal in it with 15 minutes to go when the home side were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for Royal Wootton Bassett George Lance was unsuccessful with his spot kick and Larkhall made sure of the points with a second from Andreas Smolka to record their second win of the week. On Wednesday night Larkhall had secured thier second win of the season with a 6-0 home victory over Malmesbury Vics Development, two more Kendrick, plus further goals from Angus Williamson, Alex Peapell, Archie Morris and James Okell.

Shrivenham were involved in Berks & Bucks County Cup action with a Third Round tie in the Charles Twelftree Trophy but our last representative in that County Cup competition are to take no further part after they fell to a 3-0 defeat away at AFC Winkfield from the Thames Valley League Premier Division.

Division One

Cricklade Town march on at the top of the Division One table with their 12^th straight win but they were made to work hard for all three points by a Lambourn Sports side who started the day in fourth place in the table. A solitary strike by Callum Parsons, with his 11^th goal of the campaign, just after the half hour mark was all that separated the two sides as Cricklade completed a league double over Lambourn. With results elsewhere Cricklade opened up a five-point lead at the top of the table and look set for a return to the Premier Division if they continue their current form, although there are still plenty of points to be won and lost. Lambourn dropped a couple of places in the table to sixth place as a result of the defeat. Your Sport Swindon were at the game and subscribers can view highlights of the game by clicking on the link below or using the link from the Your Sport Swindon page of the League website where you can access all other games covered by Your Sport Swindon.

Second placed Bishops Cannings lost ground when they were defeated in a goal fest at Green Lane, visitors Bratton winning 5-4 in a pulsating game. There were two goals for both Louis Wilkins and Joe Whiteman for Bratton, with Jack Hayward getting the other Bratton goal. In reply for Bishops Cannings there were two first half goals for Harry Drewitt who took his total for the season to six, plus further goals from Ethan Howard and Samuel Brewer in reply for Bishops Cannings who slipped to third place following their defeat. For Bratton that is now five wins in their last six games after an indifferent start to the season.

Down Ampney moved above Bishops Cannings into second place with a 4-0 away win against Shrivenham Development at the Ian Richardson Football Ground with Paddy Cripps and Harvey Coster both scoring twice in a 4-0 win for Down Ampney. The two goals for Coster took his total for the season to 20 and leadership of the Division’s goal scoring chart.

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With Remembrance Sunday this weekend, Shrivenham Dev & Down Ampney observing a minutes silence ahead of their game (picture courtesy of Kevin Hegg)

Biggest winners of the day were Devizes Town Reserves who put 19 unanswered goals past a Purton side who continue to struggle at this level. Star of the goal fest for Devizes was Jordan Anning who scored ten of the Devizes goals, Liam Moffat notched a hat-trick, Theo Corbin bagged a brace and there were further goals from Harvey Swain, Jamie Wallen and Joseph Muir. The win for Devizes, who have promotion ambitions of their own this season, saw them climb up to fourth place in the table five points behind near neighbours Bishops Cannings but with three games in hand. In midweek the two neighbours had met in the Wiltshire Junior Cup in what was the third meeting of the season. The two earlier games had both been settled by one goal margins and the latest game was to prove to be the third close encounter again settled by a one goal margin. It was Bishops Cannings who won for the first time this season against Devizes, having lost in both the league fixture and Fountain Trophies Cup tie, goals from Kieran Chivers and Joseph Fallon doing the damage for Bishops Cannings, Joseph Muir with the Devizes reply. Bishops Cannings will now be home to Holt in the Fourth Road. The two sides are set to meet again in the return league fixture at the end of the month.

Kintbury Rangers Development are one of the form teams in the division and they made it seven wins in their last eight games in all competitions with a hard fought 2-1 home win over Marlborough Town at the Recreation Ground. They lead 1-0 at the breakthrough a Sean Cook goal and whilst Marlborough got themselves back on level terms a winner from Charlie Allsop with his ninth goal of the campaign ensured Kintbury maintained their winning form and saw them climb up to fifth place in the table level on points with Devizes Town Reserves.

Bradford Town Reserves recent good form in their last five games has seen them win twice in the County Cup and twice in the league. Their latest success came on Saturday away at Pewsey Vale Development where two first half goals from leading scorer Kieran Balchin, who moved onto 14 for the season, and another one before half time from Jordan Pincher secured the three points in a 3-0 win. An improved showing after the break from Pewsey meant there were no more goals, but the damage had been done in that opening half.

The final game of the weekend saw Kingsdown Development pick up their fifth league win of the season with a narrow 2-1 win over Redhouse, their near neighbours from just up the road. On target for Kingsdown were Josh Atwell and Ramon Faruq, veteran Dave Pratt with the Redhouse goal.

Saturday 16th November 2024

Kintbury Rangers Drop Points in Premier,

Cricklade Beaten in Division 1

Aaron Maximen, obscured from view,  scoring Wroughton's second goal from a corner in their 3-1 win over Trowbridge Town in the Wiltshire Senior Cup

Premier Division

In midweek Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development had created a cup upset in the Quarter Final of the Wiltshire Senior Cup with a well earned 2-1 home win over Jewson Western League Division One league leaders Calne Town, this after having lost to Calne’ Reserves side 5-0 in a league fixture back in September. Goals from Ryan Withers and Flynn Walters securing the 2-1 win to see Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development through to the semi-final. On Saturday they had another tough looking game against unbeaten Kintbury Rangers who started the day nine points clear at the top of the table and few would have expected them to get another result against a team leading the division. However, another strong performance saw them come away with a point following a 1-1 draw. The teams turned around at half time with the game looking for its first goal, but George Armstrong put league leaders Kintbury ahead but an equaliser from Mani Mesas ensured a share of the points. With results elsewhere Kintbury saw their lead at the top cut to eight points whilst, despite picking up an excellent point, results elsewhere saw Royal Wootton Bassett slip back into the relegation zone.

Your Sport Swindon were at the Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development v Calne Town Wiltshire Senior Cup game with their cameras in midweek and subscribers can view the highlights of the game by clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where all other games covered by Your Sport Swindon can be accessed.

Letcombe moved up to second place in the table with a 4-1 home win over bottom of the table Malmesbury Victoria Development who, despite their lowly position in the table, made it hard for the home side, particularly in the first half. In the end goals from Archie Brew, Ben Cleary, Jordan Davies and player manager Luke Stone gave Letcombe the points, Lewis King with the Malmesbury goal.

With Melksham Town Reserves inactive this weekend, and with Wroughton in County Cup action, Park United had the chance to move up into the top three with a win against Calne Town Reserves in a local derby game at Stanley Park. In midweek they had given an excellent performance in a Wiltshire Senior Cup tie away against Step 6 side Warminster Town, pushing their higher-level opponents all the way, leading 3-1 at one stage in the second half. However, a storming finish from the Jewson Western League side had eventually seen them win 5-3 so there was to be no cup upset on the night but Park United had given a good account of themselves. Two more goals for leading scorer Lewis McCarron for Park in the cup tie saw him move onto 16 for the season, Ben Pring with the other Park goal. Whether that cup encounter had taken too much out of the Park United side is unclear, but they were surprisingly beaten 5-2 by Calne Town Reserves on Saturday to miss out on that chance to move into the top three. Star of the show for Calne was Jack Smith who scored four goals to take his total for the season to 15, Lewis Royston with the other Calne goal, Jamie Norman and Adam Mitchell with the Park United goals.

Pewsey Vale also missed out on a chance to move into the top three when they were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Salisbury Development in a game switched to Pewsey late on in the week due to ongoing issues for Salisbury in securing a pitch. It was a tale of two first half penalties, James Guthrie putting Pewsey ahead from the spot on ten minutes and Daniel Bazen replying for Salisbury with another penalty seven minutes before the break. Pewsey remain in sixth place in the table with Salisbury three points above the relegation zone in 13^th place.

Moving out of the relegation positions are Blunsdon who picked up a surprise 3-2 away win against a Kingsdown side who had defeated them 7-0 on their own patch just a fortnight ago. Goals from Joe Broadbank and Joe English put Kingsdown 2-0 up but Blunsdon pulled one back before half time and then scored two more in the second half to complete the turn around. Two goals for Eliot Wheatley and one from Nick Craft securing the points for Blunsdon.

Last season Shrivenham had struggled at the start of the season but turned things around in the second half of the season. It feels like Groundhog Day again this season, a poor start by Shrivenham has been completely turned around again as they made it six games unbeaten in the league, five of which have been won, with a 4-2 away victory at Larkhall Athletic Development to complete a league double over their Bath based opponents. On target for Shrivenham were Jacob Newdick with two, James Hirst and Josh Seller.

There was one game in the Second Round of the Fountain Trophies Cup, with Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves entertaining Faringdon Town. Faringdon have yet to pick up a point on the road in the league this season, losing all six of their away games but went close to ending that barren run on their travels in this cup game. However, in the end they were once again on the wrong end of a result, going down to a 3-2 defeat with a late winning goal for Bemerton coming courtesy of an own goal, the second own goal conceded by Faringdon on the day. The goal credited to a Bemerton player came from Hayden Wells, Max Wills and Adam Rudman scoring for Faringdon which saw the game neatly balanced at 2-2 but the Faringdon keeper unfortunately punched a corner from Ryan Scott into his own net to give Bemerton the win that sees them through to the Quarter Final stage.

On Tuesday night Melksham Town Reserves were looking to cause another side looking to cause a cup upset in the Quarter Final of the Wiltshire Senior Cup when they made the short journey to take on Devizes Town from the Jewson Western League. Devizes led 2-0 at the break and, despite scoring two of their own in the second half Melksham were unable to get the better of their Step 6 opponents who scored two more to run out 4-2 winners on the night, Kegan Smart and Leo Rendell with the Melksham goals. The four Devizes goals were scored by Leigh Rogers, Rhys Talmash, Josh Parsons and Dan Skinner.

The final Quarter Final in the Wiltshire Senior Cup was on Saturday at Wroughton where Trowbridge Town were the visitors in an all Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League tie which guaranteed the league a second semi-finalist. Wroughton started brightly and went close to scoring in the very first minute of the match, Jono Peachey-Score seeing his effort turned round the post by Zak Beard in the Trowbridge goal. At the other end, an individual run by Ben Wickens down the right saw him cut in and hit a shot that was deflected over for a corner.  With just 11 minutes on the clock, Peachey-Score went close again his shot from the edge of the box going just wide with keeper Beard being adjudged to have got a hand to it again. After going close on a couple of occasions it was no surprise that it was the home side who went in front and it was an absolutely stunning goal from Aaron Maximen, controlling a cross from David Murray initially on his chest and then his thigh and then hitting an unstoppable shot past Beard from the edge of the area. Wroughton continued to press and twice Beard was forced to make saves to deny them, firstly from a shot by Max Scholefield and then Peachey-Score with another shot from just outside the area. A minute later Peachey-Score went close again heading just over from a cross from the left. Wroughton went close again shortly after, Alex Hammond shooting just wide as he cut in from the right-hand side of the box. Despite this pressure it was to be Trowbridge who got the second goal of the game, George Bendle firing in after a Jamie Jordan corner was only half cleared and fell to him just inside the box. Two minutes before the break Peachey-Score had another chance but it went straight to Beard in the Trowbridge goal and it remained all square at the break. It remained that way until just before the hour mark, and again the goal came from a corner kick. A group of players challenged for the ball in the air and the ball seemed to come off the shoulder of Maximen and end up in the Trowbridge net for his second of the game to give Wroughton a 2-1 lead. Two minutes later there was a bad challenge by Tom Gilbert on Peachey-Score which on another day could have seen a red card shown but to the relief of the Trowbridge player it was just a yellow. Wroughton then scored a third and what turned out to be the final goal of the game, Maximen going from scorer to provider setting up Peachey-Score to make it 3-1. Trowbridge threw everything forward, putting some dangerous long throws into the box but Wroughton safely saw out the final minutes to join Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development, Devizes Town and Warminster Town in the semi-final. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view the highlights of the game by clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where all other games covered by Your Sport Swindon can be accessed.

Division One

Cricklade Town had gone 12 games unbeaten in Division One of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League ahead of Saturday’s trip to Marlborough Town. Marlborough meanwhile had hit a bit of a rough patch and had lost three consecutive games, two in the league and one in the Wiltshire Junior Cup. However, the form book was turned upside down at Elcot Lane on Saturday as Marlborough inflicted a first defeat of the season on Cricklade, securing a 3-2 win over the league leaders. Goals from Kieran Maidment, Oli Hawkins and Jamie Baxter did the damage for Marlborough, Lee Hayward and Harry Ayres with the Cricklade goals. Cricklade remain five points clear at the top but have played one more game than second placed Down Ampney, with the two sides set to meet on Tuesday night at Cirencester Town in a crucial game at the top of the table.

With Cricklade losing Bishops Cannings could have reduced their lead at the top with a win away at Lambourn Sports, who are also in the promotion mix at the top of Division One. Bishops Cannings scored twice in the first 15 minutes but two goals from Lambourn’s leading scorer Lewis Shaw meant the points were shared, 2-2 the final score. Bishops Cannings moved level on points with Down Ampney but have an inferior goal difference and have also played four more games. Lambourn meanwhile remained in sixth spot.

Bratton are one of the form teams in the division and made in six wins in their last seven games in all competitions with an 8-1 demolition of Redhouse on their own ground. Jack Booth enjoyed his afternoon hitting four for Bratton, with the other goals coming from Jack Hayward, Joe Whiteman, Joe Edwards and Max Bishop, Jamie Axford with the consolation goal for Redhouse. The teams go again at the same venue next week when they meet in the Second Round of the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup.

At the bottom end of the table, Stratton Juniors who have strengthened their squad in recent weeks, made it two wins on the bounce with a 5-1 home success over Pewsey Vale Development. Lewis Taylor scored twice for Stratton, with Ryan Welland, Dan Peapell and Ben Wells also finding the net for the Swindon based side, Dominic Terrett with the reply for Pewsey. The win for Stratton opened up an eight point gap over their beaten opponents, although Pewsey have two games in hand.

The final game of the day in Division One saw Shrivenham Development and Kingsdown Development share the points following a 1-1 draw at the Ian Richardson Football Ground, Alex Harrison put the home side Shrivenham ahead but Toby Tew scored an equaliser for Toby Tew.

Kintbury Rangers Development meanwhile were in County Cup action in the Third Round of the David Grainge Junior Trophy. Two goals from leading scorer Harry Murtagh saw Kintbury safely through to the Quarter final following a 2-0 win over Slough Heating Laurencians Reserves. The goals for Murtagh saw him move top of the Division One goal scoring chart.

This weekend’s fixtures in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League were overshadowed by the sad passing of Shrewton United Chairman and League Vice Chairman, Stuart Withers who was knocked down and killed in an accident Friday morning in Salisbury.

Stuart had been a member of the Wiltshire Senior League Committee since 1999 and had taken on the position of Vice Chairman of the league in 2006. However, he is best known in the football community for his exploits with Shrewton United, firstly as a player and then a highly successful manager who took the club from junior football all the way to the Western League. 

Whilst manager of Shrewton United, in what is now the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League, his side lifted the league title trophy on three occasions and were runners-up four times. They also won the league's Senior Cup on four occasions. The league title triumphs came in Seasons 1996-97, 2001-02 and then again, the following season, in 2002-03, when for the second season running Stuart's side secured a league and cup double. After that third title triumph Stuart took his Shrewton side up into the Western League where they more than held their own, securing a top half of the table finish in all but one of the eight seasons he was in charge of the side in the Western League.

After Stuart stepped down as manager, Shrewton were to remain in the Western League for two more seasons before returning to the Wiltshire Senior League where Stuart and his wife Maureen had remained as active league committee members. Stuart remained a key member within the Shrewton club taking on the position of Club Chairman.  Stuart was a highly respected member of the football community in Wiltshire and all the Wiltshire Senior League were devastated by the news of his passing and all our thoughts are with Maureen and the family at this difficult and sad time.

Shrewton United and Trowbridge Town held a minute’s silence before Saturday’s game and both teams wore black arm bands. The league will be requesting that all clubs hold a minute’s silence before all games next week across the league as a mark of respect to Stuart.

  Saturday 23rd September 2024

Storm Bert Hits Fixture Schedule But

Shrewton Able To Pay Tribute to Club Chairman

Shrewton United and Trowbridge Town show their respect to Shrewton Chairman and League Vice Chairman Stuart Withers who died on Friday (picture courtesy of Alwyn Bodman)

Premier Division

This weekend’s fixtures in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League were curtailed due to the impact of Storm Bert and were also overshadowed by the sad passing of Shrewton Chairman and League Vice Chairman, Stuart Withers who was knocked down and killed in an accident on Friday morning in Salisbury. Stuart had been a member of the Wiltshire Senior League Committee since 1999 and had taken over the position of Vice Chairman in 2006. However, he is best known in the world of football for his exploits with Shrewton United, firstly as a player and then a highly successful manager who took the club from junior football all the way to the Western League. After consultation with the family, the scheduled match at Shrewton where Trowbridge Town were the opponents went ahead, in what must have been an emotionally difficult day for both sides. The two sides wore black arm bands and held a minute’s silence before their game on Saturday as a mark of respect.

The same afternoon Shrivenham were also paying tribute to their own club legend, Roger Sheppard, who passed away during the week after a short illness, with a minute’s silence before their Premier Division game with Calne Town Reserves on a sombre day in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. As a mark of respect Shrivenham had decided not to ‘man the gate’ for the fixture, instead, suggesting spectators pay their entrance fee through the way of a donation in Roger’s name and after the game specifically wanted to thank Calne Town for their understanding and support on what was a difficult afternoon for the club. Both games were badly impacted by the effects of Storm Bert making conditions very difficult for all the sides.

The game at Shrewton United was played in front of a large crowd who had all come to pay their respects, but the game itself did not start well for the home side, Shrewton having a man sent off in the very first minute of the game and then falling behind to a Ben Wickens goal for Trowbridge Town. Jack Vallis, who was part of last season’s championship winning side at Amesbury, has returned to Shrewton this season and brought his side back on level terms with a trademark powerful header on 15 minutes to make it 1-1. It remained that way at half time as the conditions continued to deteriorate due to the persistent rain.  There was concern that the game would have to be abandoned but credit to the match officials and the two teams that the game would be played to a conclusion. It remained all square until just before the hour mark when Charlie Utterson was brought down in the box and Vallis made no mistake from the penalty spot for his second of the game. Shrewton finally made sure of all three points four minutes from time when Utterson grabbed a third to make the final score 3-1, a fitting performance from Shrewton as they paid tribute to their Chairman.  

Jack Vallis (Shrewton United) heads in for his sides equaliser in their 3-1 win over Trowbridge Town (picture courtesy of Alwyn Bodman)

Whilst the game at Shrewton would go the full duration, unfortunately the game at Shrivenham had to be abandoned by the referee 20 minutes from due to the deteriorating conditions with the score at 1-1. Calne having gone ahead through Sean Bailey, Bailey getting on the end of a defence splitting pass from Jack Smith, but James Hirst brought Shrivenham back level with a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights of the game before its abandonment by clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where all other games covered by Your Sport Swindon can also be accessed.

The action in the Premier Division had got underway on Friday night on the 3G at Stanley Park under lights where Park United entertained Malmesbury Victoria Development. Park started the night in fifth spot in the table whilst visitors Malmesbury sat bottom of the table with just the one point to their name from their opening 13 games but now under new management, with Krystian Hext having taken over in the dugout. The new manager has strengthened the squad with new signings as they seek to get points on the board and try and escape the relegation zone. The two sides served up an entertaining game sharing six goals and the points, Ben Pring, Adam Mitchell and Lewis McCarron scoring for Park, Sam Parker, Rob Collier and Joe Tranter replying for Malmesbury. The point for Park was enough to see them climb up to fourth place in the table, whilst despite doubling their tally for the season, Malmesbury remain rooted to the bottom of the table, nine points adrift of the team above them in the table but with four games in hand and plenty of home games still to come.

The only other game to be played in the Premier Division this weekend was another game on 3G, this time at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground where Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development were at home to Salisbury Development in a big game at the bottom end of the table in the fight to avoid relegation. With the wind and rain making things difficult for both sides, even on an artificial surface, the story of the game is really one of the home side capitalising on mistakes at the back with a high-press. They went in front playing against the wind in the first half, George Staten intercepting a ball played across the Salisbury back line to fire home. They doubled their lead when Flynn Walters this time capitalised on another defensive mistake to put Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development two goals to the good. Salisbury got themselves back into the game early in the second half with an excellent goal from Joshua Ngombi following some tricky play down the wing from Naman Gurung. First half Royal Wootton Bassett full back Oliver Smith had kept Gurung quiet but second half Gurung started to cause all kinds of problems to the Bassett defence as Salisbury went in search of an equaliser. Having avoided conceding a second, the home side with the wind behind them, upped their pressing game as they sought a third but found Salisbury keeper Ernest Osei was having an excellent game and they only made sure of the points when once again they capitalised on another defensive error, Flynn Walters the beneficiary for his second of the game as it finished 3-1.

All the other games in the Premier Division and the Fountain Trophies Cup game between Melksham Town Reserves and Larkhall Athletic Devlopment, a repeat of last season's cup final, were postponed.

Division One

Division One leaders Cricklade Town were in action both in midweek and on Saturday with mixed results, a win in midweek against their nearest challengers Down Ampney being followed by a surprise defeat on Saturday at the hands of Kingsdown Development on Saturday. On Tuesday night against Down Ampney, despite plenty of chances at both ends in the first half, including a penalty for Cricklade Town, it took until the stroke of half time for either side to find the net.  The penalty for Cricklade had been awarded for a foul on Devan Bryan but Harry Ayres saw his spot kick well saved by Down Ampney keeper Nathan Townsend, diving to his left and turning the ball around the post. Down Ampney broke the deadlock when a high ball into the box was only half cleared and fell to Nick Mason just inside the box and the former Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development player made no mistake with a low shot into the far corner to give Down Ampney a half time lead.  Cricklade upped their game after the break scoring three times. Chris Jackson brought them back level heading in from a free kick to the far post by Ayres to make it 1-1. Cricklade them went in front for the first time Josh Parsons sliding the ball in at the far post after Levi Cox had put a dangerous ball in from the left to make it 2-1. Cricklade made sure of the points with a third with the goal again coming from a free kick into the box from Ayres, which was headed on by Cox, although the ball appeared to go in off a Down Ampney defender, but Cricklade have credited the goal to Cox. The win for Cricklade saw them open up an eight-point lead over their beaten opponents at the top of the table having played one game more than Down Ampney.  Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights of the game by clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where all other games covered by Your Sport Swindon can be accessed.

On Saturday Cricklade Town  were back on the 3G at Cirencester Town for another home game with Kingsdown Development the visitors on this occasion but the result did not go Cricklade’s way. Trailing 1-0 at the break, Devan Bryan brought Cricklade back level within a minute of the restart. Having got back on level terms Cricklade were then reduced to ten men, goal scorer Bryan being dismissed for a second yellow card. Despite the numerical disadvantage Callum Parsons put Cricklade 2-1 up shortly after but the numerical disadvantage was to get worse for Cricklade when they had a player sent to the sin bin. Whilst down to nine men, Kingsdown got back on level terms and were then to go in front form the penalty spot, Josh Atwell with two and former Wroughton player Francesco Michienzi getting the Kingsdown goals. Restored to ten men Cricklade could not find an equaliser as improving Kingsdown Development held out to become only the second side to lower Cricklade’s colours this season.

Lambourn Sports are up to fourth spot in the table after a comfortable 9-0 home win over Purton. Thomas Whitham led the way with a hat-trick, Brady Adams and Lewis Shaw both scored twice, with Kias Bonner-Shea and San Broadbank also amongst the goals.

The only other game to survive the weather was at Trowbridge Road, Bradford-on-Avon where Bradford Town Reserves were home to Shrivenham Development. Wiktor Wnuk put Bradford Town ahead but Jamie McGahey equalised for Shrivenham as the two teams turned around all square at the break. The second half would belong to the home side as they scored three unanswered goals to secure a 4-1 win, leading scorer Kieran Balchin putting them ahead with his 15^th goal of the season before two goals from Joel Kirby made sure of the points for the home side who remain in ninth spot in the table but moved to within two points of Bratton who sit just above them in the table.

The Fountain Trophies Cup game between Redhouse and Bratton was abandoned at half-time by the referee due to the deteriorating conditions with Bratton leading 5-1 at the time. Down Ampney saw their County Cup game postponed and the league fixture between Pewsey Vale Development and Stratton Juniors was also postponed.

  Saturday 30th November 2024

Another Emotional Day at Shrewton,

Letcombe Close The Gap At The Top

Premier Division

Despite the bad weather last weekend and in the early part of last week, six games went ahead on Saturday in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League.

It was another emotional day at Shrewton where Shrewton United again took the opportunity to pay their respects to their chairman Stuart Withers, who sadly passed away last week following an accident. Shrewton had designated the match against Melksham Town Reserves as a “game for Stu”, with many former players, committee members, friends and family in attendance. An excellent matchday programme had been produced which contained tributes and memories from ex-players, family and friends, which also included photos of Stuart throughout his footballing career. The occasion drew the largest crowd for many a year for a game at this level in the county, with the reported crowd in excess of 500. As with all the games in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League this weekend, there was a minute’s silence before the game. Stuart’s daughter and granddaughters came out with the players as they entered the pitch and placed a wreath in Shrewton’s colours on the penalty spot in front of them during the minute’s silence. After the minute’s silence and the applause given to the family as they left the field of play, captain Jack Vallis took the wreath and placed it between the two dugouts.

The game itself started well for Shrewton with the home side putting the visitors under pressure in the early exchanges. On 13 minutes they got their just reward for that early pressure as they edged themselves in front. A free kick from the right-hand side was lofted into the box and met by the head of captain Jack Vallis who, despite being surrounded by Melksham defenders, got enough on his downward header to beat Melksham keeper Harry Pickering and see the ball nestle in the far side of the net. Two minutes later it got even better for the home side with the award of a penalty kick. The captain Vallis took responsibility for the spot kick and fired in powerfully into the centre of the goal to make it 2-0 to the home side. Shrewton continued to have the better of things and went close on a couple of occasions but that was to be the end of the scoring in the first half. Melksham were not having the rub of the green in terms of key decisions in the game and things looked bleak for them two minutes before the break when captain Nick Chandler was sent to the sin bin for disputing one of those decisions, meaning Melksham would start the second half one man light for the first eight minutes of the half. 

Despite the numerical disadvantage at the start of the half, Melksham Town upped their game after the break and survived those eight minutes without conceding again. They then started to get on top and dominate possession but without really creating any clear-cut chances. The closest they came to scoring was from a couple of half chances.  The first was when the ball fell to Liam Brooks on the edge of the Shrewton box, but he shot tamely into the hands of Shrewton keeper Sam Gates. Not long after, following a Melksham corner, the ball fell to Nick Taylor on the edge of the box, but their recent signing from Trowbridge Town saw his effort sail high and over the bar. For much of the second half Melksham continued to dominate proceedings but with Shrewton always looking dangerous on the break. Indeed, they almost caught Melksham out a couple of times when clearing their lines, but on both occasions the Shrewton forwards went a little too early and were caught offside. Shrewton were then almost gifted a third when Melksham keeper Pickering miskicked a clearance straight to Jordan Cross, but the Shrewton player shot wide of the near post. The game was to be finally put beyond Melksham when Shrewton grabbed a third, with a fine individual goal against the run of play. Melksham were the architects of their own downfall though conceding possession in their own half cheaply. The ball was picked up by Alfie Pawlak-Walsh who went on a mazy run beating a couple of Melksham defenders to put himself in clear on goal and he finished in style to make sure of the three points for the home side.  The closing stages of the game saw Shrewton manager George Plank make a cameo appearance in the game, coming off the bench but then substituting himself after about ten minutes.

The only blemish on the afternoon’s proceedings for Plank’s side was having captain Vallis sent off two minutes from the end of the game. Seeing the chance of a hat-trick goal flash before his eyes he lunged for a ball that in reality was always going to be claimed first by Melksham keeper Pickering and he connected with the keeper in what looked a dangerous challenge. To his credit his first reaction was to apologise to the Melksham keeper knowing he had made a mistake. With Pickering having suffered a serious injury last season when playing for Royal Wootton Bassett Town in the Hellenic League which caused a game to be abandoned, thankfully on this occasion he was able to continue, but referee Steve Higgins had little choice but to show Vallis the red card. There was a late chance for a consolation goal for Melksham in the closing stages, Olly Clarke forcing Shrewton keeper Sam Gates into a fine save to ensure a clean sheet for the home side. On the balance of play of the second half Melksham will feel hard done by the 3-0 score line but credit to them for the part they played in the game and the occasion. The win for Shrewton sees them move up to seventh place in the table just a point behind their beaten opponents and with a game in hand.

The big game at the top end of the table was second placed Letcombe’s trip to the Weir Field to take on Wroughton who started the day in third place in the table for what is believed to be the first ever league meeting between the two sides. With just a couple of exceptions, Letcombe’s games have generally been tight affairs this season with the Oxfordshire based side having a good habit of being on the right side of such tight games and Saturday’s encounter with Wroughton would prove to be another such occasion. Goals from Jordi Davies and Sam Fletcher, the latter scoring on his debut, secured a narrow 2-1 win to move to within five points of league leaders Kintbury Rangers. The Wroughton goal came from the usual source, the Division’s leading scorer Jonathan Peachey-Score netting his 21^st goal of the campaign.

After a great start to the season Pewsey Vale have hit a bad patch in recent weeks, with just one win in their previous seven games in all competitions ahead of their trip into Bath to take on Larkhall Athletic Development on the new 3G at the Plain Ham. However, whilst on a bad run five of those seven games had been against the sides at the top of the table in a tough run of fixtures. Larkhall meanwhile had shown signs of improvement in recent weeks having gone four games unbeaten before last week’s defeat at the hands of Shrivenham. It was to be Pewsey Vale who returned to winning ways on Saturday returning from Bath with all three points following a 4-1 victory. Two more goals for Josh Fowler taking his total for the season onto 21, joining Wroughton’s Peachey-Score at the top of the Premier Division goal scoring charts, with further goals from Brandon Vincent and Alex Golder giving Pewsey the win, Jordan Phillips with the solitary Larkhall goal. The win for Pewsey Vale saw them move above Wroughton into third place in the table.

Shrivenham are one of the form teams in the division, unbeaten in their last six league games, five of which had been won ahead of the visit of Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves. When the two sides had met down in Salisbury back in August Bemerton had won 2-0 but Saturday saw Shrivenham avenge that defeat in style. Two first half goals from James Hirst put them in a commanding position at half time and second half goals from Jacob Newdick, Matty Horsell and Kieron Sutton gave the young Shrivenham side an impressive 5-0 win. The win for Shrivenham saw them climb to tenth place in the table and they are now well clear of the relegation zone. Bemerton on the other hand are in danger of slipping into a relegation battle having now gone four games without a win in the league.

Faringdon Town have been on a bad run of late, with five straight defeats in the league and having yet to register a single point on their travels so far this season and had slipped into the relegation zone. Saturday saw them on home turf at Tucker Park looking to bring their poor run of results to an end against a Kingsdown side who have already beaten several of the sides at the top end of the table and on their day are a match for anyone in the division. This was not to be one of their better days though as they fell to a 1-0 defeat, with Faringdon getting the only goal of the game with just three minutes on the clock, George James with the goal. In a tight game Faringdon twice struck the crossbar in the first half but were unable to add to that early goal, whilst Kingsdown put the Faringdon goal under sustained pressure without being able to find the net. Kingsdown were given a golden chance to get back on level terms midway through the second half with the award of a penalty. However, the spot kick was hit wide of the target and that penalty miss would prove costly as Kingsdown failed to find the net in the remaining 20 minutes as Faringdon secured a vital win in their quest to avoid the drop.

There was an important game at the bottom end of the table as Blunsdon entertained Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development, with the two sides separated by one place and one point at the start of the day, with Blunsdon the wrong side of the relegation line. It started well for Blunsdon as Nick Craft put them ahead after good work from Sean Creely, intercepting a pass to feed in Craft for the goal. However, Blunsdon found themselves trailing at the break as a free kick from Dale Richards and a second goal from Max Spackman turned the game around. Blunsdon went in search of an equaliser after the break and eventually got themselves back on level terms, Craft scoring his second of the game from a Callum Courtney corner. Royal Wootton Bassett Town then had Josh Connolly dismissed for a second yellow card but managed to see out the remaining time without conceding again to leave it honours even and one point apiece. Blunsdon remained in the relegation zone with that one point differential to their opponents with one game in hand. The point for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development, who are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions, saw them move above Salisbury Development in the table but they have played more games than all their rivals at the bottom end of the table.

At the start of the week Trowbridge Town’s pitch was under water following Storm Bert and despite the best efforts of the groundsman all week to pump away the water the pitch failed a pitch inspection on Friday and Trowbridge’s scheduled fixture against Salisbury Development was unfortunately postponed. 

Division One

With the top two without a league game this weekend, the chasing pack at the top end of the table had the chance to close the gap at the top in the race for that one guaranteed promotion spot. The big game of the day was at Nursteed Road Devizes where third placed Bishops Cannings were Devizes Town Reserves visitors in what was the fourth meeting of the season between the sides, having drawn each other in both cups. All three previous encounters had been decided by single goal margins, with Devizes winning in the league game back in August and in Fountain Trophies Cup at the beginning of October, but Bishops Cannings having won the recent County Cup encounter. Another close encounter was anticipated, and it proved to be just that. Szymon Raczek put the visitors Bishops Cannings ahead with an early goal, Raczek scoring his 21^st goal of the season, with all 21 having come in league games. However, Devizes were back on level terms by the break, Finley Palmer equalising ten minutes before half time before Devizes were then reduced to ten men following a sending off. Despite the numerical disadvantage for the whole of the second half it would be the home side who would get the winner, Palmer getting his second of the game 13 minutes from time to complete a league double for Devizes over their near neighbours. The win for Devizes saw them move up to fourth place and to within three points of their beaten opponents and with four games in hand. David Giles was at the game with his camera and more of David's excellent pictures from this game can be viewed on the League Facebook Group page.

Lambourn Sports were another side looking to close the gap at the top of the table when they entertained Stratton Juniors who, despite their lowly position in the table, had picked up in recent weeks under the new management team of Alun Rossiter and Kevin Dunn. When the two sides had met back in August it had been a close game won in the end by Lambourn 2-1 and it was again to prove to be a tight affair with the two sides sharing eight goals and the points in a 4-4 draw. Lambourn, who were never in front in the game, equalising with a late headed goal to deny Stratton the win. On target for Stratton were Shane Hibbert, Daniel Peapell, Ben Wells and Aaron Wellend, the Lambourn Sports goals coming through Lewis Shaw with two, Kias Bonner-Shea and Sam Broadbank. The dropped points for Lambourn saw Devizes Town Reserves moved above them in the table, whilst at the other end of the table Stratton Juniors moved above Redhouse into 12^th spot.

Like Stratton Juniors, Bratton have picked up in recent weeks and went into their trip to Pewsey Vale Development on the back of three straight wins in the league and four in all competitions. In all likelihood would have been five if last week’s Fountain Trophies Cup game with Redhouse had gone the full duration, Bratton having led 5-1 when the game had been abandoned just before half time. That winning run continued on Saturday as they returned from Pewsey with all three points following a 4-2 win. Two goals for Jack Hayward and one apiece for Joseph Whiteman and Lewis Wayman for Bratton, George Allen and an eighth of the season from player-manager Kierron Kiff in reply for Pewsey. The win for Bratton saw them remain in eighth place in the table but move level on points with Marlborough Town with a game in hand.  

Kingsdown Development are another form side in the division, and they followed up last week’s impressive victory over league leaders Cricklade Town with another three points return from their home game against Bradford Town Reserves. In the proverbial game of two halves, Bradford Town Reserves led 1-0 at the break thanks to a Steven Johnson goal, but three unanswered strikes from Kingsdown in the second half saw them claim the three points, Bongumenzi Ceko, Steven Davies and Callum Miller with the Kingsdown goals. The win for Kingsdown saw them move above Bradford Town Reserves in the table.

Whilst they have yet to record their first point of the season there are also signs of improvement at Purton as the defeats are getting less heavy. On Saturday they fell to a 6-0 defeat at the Red House at the hands of Shrivenham Development, Lewis Mokler scoring twice for the visitors with further goals from Will Bazen, Bradley Ellis, and substitutes John Hunnings and Christian Wills.

Redhouse’s game against Marlborough Town was another game to be postponed due to the knock-on effects of last week’s Storm Bert, the Redhouse pitch having not recovered from last week’s abandoned cup game against Bratton.

 Saturday 7th December 2024

Kintbury Rangers Extend Lead At Top

In Only Game to Survive Storm Darragh

Premier Division

Storm Darragh resulted in all but one of the games involving teams from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League in either league, or cup fixtures being postponed this Saturday. With an amber weather warning impacting some of the county, the league allowed clubs to postpone their games where there were concerns over safety in terms of travelling to the games. Several games were also called off due to waterlogged pitches. The postponed games included all four fixtures in the Wiltshire Junior Cup which will have a knock-on impact to fixtures in Division One next week, although Cricklade Town’s re-scheduled game has been put to the 21^st by the Wiltshire FA.

The one game played this weekend was in the Premier Division and it involved league leaders Kintbury Rangers who were prepared to travel to the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground for their fixture against Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development despite the offer to postpone, with the wind less strong in the North of the County and across the border in Berkshire. That said it was still extremely difficult conditions in a game switched to the 3G pitch at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground. Kintbury got off to a great start as two goals early on in the space of a couple of minutes from George Armstrong put them in a commanding position. That was to be the end of the scoring in the first half and whilst the home side created chances of their own, they lacked that cutting edge and experience in front of goal, something the visitors certainly had with Armstrong back leading the line for the title favourites. Kintbury made sure of all three points with a third goal after the break, Jesse Bowers being on hand to turn the ball in after Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development keeper Adam House had pulled off a great save, but the ball fell nicely for Bowers who fired home for 3-0 and his fourth goal of the campaign. The win saw Kintbury move eight points clear at the top of the table as they reached the halfway point of the season with their league fixtures, although second placed Letcombe now have a game in hand. 

Division One, Fountain Trophies Cup Wiltshire Junior Cup

As noted above all games in Division One, the one game in the Fountain Trophies Cup and the Wiltshire Junior Cup were all postponed due to the weather conditions. The game between Shrivenham Dev and Purton was the closest game to getting played but in the end fell victim to a waterlogged pitch at midday, despite the efforts of the Shrivenham club to get the game on.  Again, as noted above, next week's fixtures in the Division will be impacted by postponements in the Wiltshire Junior Cup and the fixtures shown below have been adjusted for rearranged games postponed on 7th December.

 Saturday 14th December 2024

Kintbury Rangers & Cricklade Both Go

11 Points Clear in Their Respective Divisions

Premier Division

With second place Letcombe having to postpone their game due to the state of their pitch, Kintbury Rangers  were given the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table if they could secure a result at home against Kingsdown. Last season Kingsdown had done the double over Kintbury Rangers, ending any hopes Kintbury had of the league title last season, winning 2-0 in Swindon in Kintbury's penultimate game. They had also won on their last visit to the Recreation Ground returning home with all three points following a 3-2 win. With Kintbury having won 3-2 in Swindon in the first meeting this season between the two sides, there was to be no repeat of last season’s double for Kingsdown and this time it was to be Kintbury’s turn to complete a league double over their opponents. Two first half goals from Kye Williams and one from George Armstrong put them in a commanding position at the break and Armstrong made sure of all three points with his second of the game in the second half. The 4-0 win for Kintbury saw them move 11 points clear at the top of the table although Letcombe had two games in hand with the two teams set to meet in the first week of the New Year.

Park United climbed two places in the table up into third spot, their highest position of the season, after recording their biggest league win of the season and becoming the division’s leading scorers in the process with a 9-1 home success over Blunsdon. Ben Pring led the way for Park helping himself to a hat-trick to move onto 15 for the season, Adam Mitchell and Jamie Norman both bagged a brace, Ben Selman and leading scorer Lewis McCarron with his 18^th of the season, also finding the back of the net for Park. The consolation goal for Blunsdon was scored by Nick Craft who moved his total for the season on to 11.

Melksham Town Reserves also climbed a couple of places in the table to fourth spot with a hard fought 2-1 win away against Larkhall Athletic Development. Leo Rendell put Melksham ahead from the penalty spot and the same player then doubled their lead scoring from a free kick to give Melksham a 2-0 half time lead. Judah Oyelumade pulled one back for Larkhall midway through the second half and despite Larkhall pushing Melksham hard for an equaliser some resolute defending ensured it would be Melksham who secured all three points.

Wroughton were the side to drop a couple of places in the table after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Trowbridge Town at the Weir Field. With Wroughton trailing 2-0 going into the closing stages of the game, managers Ben Jarrett and Nick Salter will no doubt view this as a point gained rather than two points dropped. They had goalkeeper Luke Kuczynski to thank for going into the half time break all square at 0-0, the Wroughton keeper twice denying Trowbridge Town’s Jamie Jordan from close range and then turning over an effort from Jamie Lyons that looked destined for the net. Trowbridge also missed a golden chance from the penalty spot following a foul in the box, but Ben Wickens sent his spot kick high over the bar as the chance was spurned. The deadlock was finally broken midway through the second half and the goal had a touch of controversy about it as the ball seemed to strike Trowbridge’s Ryan Baggs on the hand before being played forward to Jake Samuel who made no mistake as Trowbridge finally found a way past Kuczynski. Wroughton’s Max Scholefield was sent to the sin bin for disputing the decision not to award a free kick for handball. Trowbridge then extended their lead when Wickens outpaced the Wroughton defence and finished in style to give his side what looked to be an unassailable 2-0 lead which was probably deserved on the balance of chances created. As the game moved into its closing stages Wroughton were given a lifeline when Joe Herbert hit a stunning strike from distance into the top far corner of the net that gave Zak Beard in the Trowbridge goal no chance. With the game moving into injury time Wroughton were given a chance to steal a point when a corner into the box was adjudged to have struck the hand of Trowbridge player Owen Pearce and a penalty was given. Leading scorer Jonathan Peachey-Score fired home for his 22^nd goal of the season to give Wroughton a fortuitous share of the spoils on a day when they had not been at their best. Pearce was then sent to the sin bin for what little was left of the game for his comments about the decision. Pictures from this game will be available on the League Facebook Group Page  in due course.

The other three games all involved sides battling to avoid relegation with two of the games ending in 1-1 draws. At Shrivenham visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development  were looking to bounce back from the previous week’s defeat at the hands of leaders Kintbury. In a tight contest both teams found the net in the first half, Will Close putting the visitors ahead before Zac Skinner equalised for Shrivenham. That was to be the end of the afternoon’s scoring as the two sides had to settle for a point apiece. The point for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development means they currently sit two points above the drop zone but have played more games than all of the bottom four sides. Shrivenham are now unbeaten in their last eight league games.

It was a similar scoreline at Bremhill View where Calne Town Reserves entertained another relegation threatened side, Faringdon Town. Faringdon went into the game still looking for their first points on the road in the league this season and they finally ended that unwelcome record at the seventh attempt. It was Faringdon who had the better of things in the opening 15 minutes and it was no surprise when they went in front with 18 minutes on the clock, leading scorer Kyle Bowyer hitting a stunning volley from 25 yards to put Faringdon 1-0 up. Calne went close to levelling matters just before the half hour mark, Faringdon keeper Jack Gibson pulling off a save to deny the home side. Calne were to eventually get themselves back on level terms a minute before the break, Owen Jones heading in from a ball into the box after a corner had initially been cleared. The early exchanges in the second half saw both teams go close to getting a lead and Faringdon thought they achieved just that on the hour mark, Daniel Loyden heading in from a Max Wills free kick only to see the goal struck off for a push. It was the visitors who continued to create the goal scoring opportunities but that first away win of the season in the league was to prove elusive and, in the end, they had to settle for a point that saw them edge closer to Blunsdon, they are now just two points behind them but with three games in hand. The point for Calne saw them move level on points with Shrewton United.

After five straight wins in the league, it was to prove to be a bad day at the office for Shrewton United  when they made the short journey to Bulford to take on Salisbury Development. Shrewton got off a bad start finding themselves behind with just four minutes on the clock, Jack Stacey running through the defence before slotting home for 1-0 to Salisbury. It remained just the one goal in it until seven minutes before the break, a clearance from Shrewton keeper Sam Gates going in off Salisbury’s Harry Guy to double the home side’s lead. A second of the game for Stacey after the break put Salisbury in a commanding position and it remained 3-0 until 15 minutes from time when there was a flurry of goals. Naman Gurung with his eighth of the season put Salisbury 4-0 up and whilst Shrewton pulled one back through Lewis Cross, late goals from Omario Henry and Ferhat Canlier rounded off a good afternoon for Salisbury as they recorded their biggest win of the season against their near neighbours. The win for Salisbury saw them move above Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development and they are now three points clear of the drop zone with games in hand over the two sides immediately below them in the table.  

Wiltshire Senior Cup Draw

The draw for the Wiltshire Senior Cup semi-finals was made on Thursday and published on social media on Friday and it has guaranteed that the final will involve a side from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League, with Wroughton and Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development having drawn each other. At the moment there is uncertainly regarding the date and venue as Swindon Supermarine was shown as the venue on the social media video, which makes absolute sense, but the Wiltshire FA website and hence FA Full-Time is showing the game at Salisbury. Hopefully matters will be clarified on Monday when the Wilts FA are back in the office and hopefully the game will be at Swindon Supermarine.

Division One

With rearranged County Cup fixtures there were just four league games in Division One of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. With second placed Down Ampney and Bishops Cannings in third spot both in County Cup action, and with their own County Cup game having been rescheduled by the Wilts FA for next week, Cricklade Town had the chance to increase their lead at the top of the table when they entertained Kintbury Rangers Development. In a tight first half the league leaders led 2-1 at the break but stepped it up after the interval to score three more unanswered goals to run out 5-1 winners and go 11 points clear at the top of the table. Whilst it looks a healthy lead at this stage of the season,  Down Ampney have three games in hand and would move to within two points of the leaders if they won all three games. On target for Cricklade were Levi Cox, Harry Ayres, Chris Jackson, Emmanuel Kwarteng-Abrokwa and Josh Coombe, Alfie Davis-Ellard with that first half Kintbury goal.

Marlborough Town, who are under new management, climbed above Kintbury Rangers Development into sixth spot with a 6-0 home win over bottom of the table Purton. Two goals apiece for Tom Womersley and Kieran Maidment, Jake Farrell and Ben Tylee getting the other goals as Marlborough recorded their eighth league victory of the season.

At the other end of the table Pewsey Vale Development picked up three vital points with a 1-0 home win over Stratton Juniors which saw them move to within six points of their beaten opponents and five points of Redhouse who sit just above the re-election line. The all-important goal was scored by Andy Rossiter.

Kingsdown Development continue to be one of the form sides in the division and they made it five games unbeaten, four of which have been won, with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Shrivenham Development, Finn Broadbank with the all-important goal in the first half which was enough to secure the three points. The win for Kingsdown saw them move level on points with Bratton who sit in eighth spot in the table. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view the highlights of the game by clicking on the link below or accessing from the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where all other games in the league covered by Your Sport Swindon can be accessed.

County Cups for Division One Sides

Down Ampney finally got to play their Gloucestershire County Intermediate North Cup 3^rd Round tie at the third attempt, the game having been postponed a fortnight ago and then again on Thursday night. When the game was finally played it was to prove to be a comfortable afternoon for the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side as they hit six without reply against Longlevens 4ths from the Stroud & District League Division 3. Paddy Cripps and Harvey Coster both scored twice and there were further goals from Charlie McCuish and Connor Hibbs. Down Ampney will now be away to Hatherop in the quarter final with the game set to be played on Saturday 18^th January.

In the Wiltshire Junior Cup just two of the three scheduled games went ahead as the tie between Bratton  and Coleview from the Swindon & District League Premier Division being postponed due to the referee not turning up, meaning Bratton are once again falling behind with their fixtures due to the County Cup for the second season running.

In the two games that were played, it was to prove to be a good afternoon for Bishops Cannings  who secured a comfortable 7-1 win over Trowbridge & District League Premier Division side Holt. Holt had lost just the one game so far this season in the league, so this was an impressive result for Bishops Cannings who are now through to the quarter final stage. Tom Sharples set them on their way with the opener on 28 minutes, but the teams would turn round with just the one goal in it with all to play for. However, a storming second half from Bishops Cannings saw them score six times before Holt bagged a late consolation goal five minutes from time. Harry Drewitt led the way in the second half goal rush helping himself to a hat-trick, Jack Spanswick bagged a brace with Oliver Barnes getting the other Bishops Cannings goal. 

It was not such a good afternoon for the other Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side, Bradford Town Reserves, as they fell to a 4-0 away defeat against Laverstock & Ford Reserves from the Premier Division of the Hampshire Combination & Development Football League.

  Saturday 21st December 2024

Just Two Games Survive in Premier,

Cricklade into Last 8 in County Cup

Premier Division

The weather at the back end of the week with further rain on Saturday once again played havoc with the fixtures in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with just two fixtures in both the Premier Division and Division One of the league surviving, along with the Wiltshire Junior Cup tie involving Cricklade Town which was being played on the 3G pitch at Cirencester Town.

The two games that survived in the Premier Division were both in the south of the county and well done to the ground staff at both Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Shrewton United for getting their games on, although neither were rewarded for their efforts come the end of their respective games. At Shrewton, Shrewton United’s visitors Shrivenham continued their fine form of late that had seen them go eight games unbeaten in the league ahead of Saturday’s game. That unbeaten league run now stretches to nine games after a 3-0 victory over Shrewton who fell to a second consecutive defeat. Zac Skinner set Shrivenham on their way with the opener before two goals from Jacob Newdick completed a comfortable win for the visitors. Shrewton’s best chance of the afternoon came from the penalty spot, but Shrivenham keeper Lewis Fox saved the spot kick to ensure his side maintained a clean sheet on the way to claiming all three points. The win for Shrivenham saw them move up into the top half of the table for the first time this season. Martin Pearce was at the game with his camera and more of his excellent pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

The only other game to survive in the Premier Division was at Bemerton in Salisbury where Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves visitors were Larkhall Athletic Development. When the two sides had met in Bath at the beginning of September it had finished all square at 1-1 when, at the time, Bemerton were riding high at the top end of the table. However, since then they have hit something of a sticky patch that had seen them go four games without a win in the league. That unwelcome record now stretches to five games as Larkhall returned home to Bath with all three points following a 3-0 win, two goals for Alfie Prescott and one for James Okell doing the damage for Larkhall. The win for Larkhall meant that they moved to within two points of Faringdon and within four points of Blunsdon, the two sides immediately above them in the bottom four. Tony Smith was at this game with his camera and more of Tony’s excellent pictures can be found at  www.efc.smugmug.com.

Division One

Only two games survived the wet weather in Division One but only one of the two games would go the full duration. That game saw Pewsey Vale Development pick up three welcome points with a 3-1 home win over Lambourn Sports, denying the visitors the chance to move level on points with second placed Down Ampney and Bishops Cannings in third spot. Player-manager Kierron Kiff was once again amongst the goals taking his tally for the season to nine, with further goals for Pewsey coming through Ollie Morris and Jay Roden.   

Down Ampney, already behind with their league fixtures mainly due to their County Cup exploits and a wedding, were proactive in trying to get their game on when their own pitch failed a pitch inspection Saturday morning. They managed to book a 3G pitch at Moredon so that their fixture against Redhouse could go ahead, only for the booking staff to make an error and reserve the slot for one hour instead of two, meaning that the game was called to a halt at halftime with Down Ampney leading 2-1 at the time.  Hopefully Down Ampney will not be getting charged for the use of the pitch.

Wiltshire Junior Cup

Cricklade Town staged their rearranged Wiltshire County Junior Cup game against Mere Town, originally called off due to Storm Darragh. Mere Town currently sit second in the table in the Dorset Senior League, unbeaten in their opening nine league games, seven of which have been won. On paper it looked a tough game for Mani Roper’s side but an early goal from the penalty spot on 13 minutes from Scott Chilcott settled any nerves, Chilcott winning the penalty and then taking the spot kick himself and making no mistake. Seven minutes later Cricklade doubled their lead, Callum Parsons firing in from a free kick to put Cricklade two goals up with just 20 minutes gone. Cricklade continued to press and extended their lead nine minutes before half time, Zak Robinson winning the ball before setting up Chilcott for his second of the game. That was not to be the end of the first half scoring for Cricklade, as Chilcott completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half time to give Cricklade an impressive 4-0 half time lead. A shell-shocked Mere came out for the second half determined to get themselves back in the game but Cricklade, whilst not adding to that first half tally, ensured they did not concede to progress to the last eight of the competition, joining Bishops Cannings in those quarter finals. The two teams from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League may yet be joined by Bratton, whose Fourth Round tie is now scheduled for the first Saturday in January, when the other two sides will play their quarter final ties. Cricklade Town have been drawn away to Wilton from Division 2 of the Dorset League whilst Bishops Cannings are away to Tisbury United from the top division of the Dorset Senior League.

The full schedule of games played so far this season in the Wiltshire Junior Cup and the draw for the quarter final is shown below:

  Saturday 28th December 2024

Just Two Games in Premier

To See Out The Calendar Year

Trowbridge Town keeper Rob Brown coming to claim a cross into the box in Trowbridge Town's 2-0 away win over Larkhall Athletic Development (picture courtesy of Alwyn Bodman)

Premier Division

Normally there are no games in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League between Christmas and New Year but in a break from tradition, with an 18 team Premier Division, a couple of league games and one Fountain Trophies Cup tie were scheduled for this Saturday. Unfortunately, on Saturday morning there was still standing water in the goalmouths at Southbrook Rec which meant the cup game between Kingsdown and Down Ampney was postponed. As this was the second attempt to stage this tie it will now switch to being a Down Ampney home game when it is rescheduled.  

There was no danger that the league game between Larkhall Athletic Development  and Trowbridge Town would be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch given the new 3G surface at Plain Ham. Both teams had started the season with promotion aspirations, but both find themselves in the bottom half of the league table with half the season gone, with Larkhall in trouble in the relegation zone at the bottom of the table. Both sides desperately needed a win to end the calendar year on a high to set themselves up for better things in the New Year. It was to be the visitors Trowbridge who got themselves off to a tremendous start, Charlie Maddison finding Ben Wickens inside the box, with Wickens firing into the top corner of the net with just a minute on the clock. Four minutes later Maddison then went close himself, firing in a shot from distance that went just over the bar. Trowbridge continued to make the early running and Maddison went close again two minutes later, captain Jamie Lyons feeding the ball into him and Maddison hitting another powerful shot which this time was saved by the Larkhall keeper. Trowbridge continued to dominate the early stages and had a golden chance to extend their lead when Ben Wickens squared the ball across the face of the goal but unfortunately for the visitors nobody was following up to take advantage. Larkhall gradually started to get themselves a foothold in the game and created several chances but were unable to find away through the resolute Trowbridge defence. It was the visitors who went close to scoring the second goal of the game when the pacy Wickens was put through on goal but, despite slipping, the young Larkhall keeper recovered his composure to pull off an excellent save to deny the visitors a second goal. Trowbridge would not be denied for long though, two minutes before the break Owen Pearce setting up Jamie Jordan who ran into the box and calmly slotted home for 2-0 to Trowbridge.

Five minutes into the second half, Larkhall went close to pulling one back, the home side being denied by an excellent save from Rob Brown who was back in the Trowbridge starting line up after his recent time abroad. At the other end Trowbridge continued to create chances to extend their lead, Maddison firing wide of the target on 55 minutes after good set up play from Wickens. George Bendle then had a couple of chances, his first saw him beat a couple of defenders before shooting tamely and the shot was easily saved and then seeing a shot on the turn brilliantly palmed away by the Larkhall keeper.  As in the first half Larkhall upped their game and started to put the Trowbridge goal under immense pressure with Brown twice pulling off saves to deny the home side, Larkhall also hitting the bar and seeing a shot cleared off the line as they sought to get themselves back in the game. In the end Brown and his defence held out as Trowbridge registered their first clean sheet in the league since mid-September to claim all three points with a 2-0 win.

Alwyn Bodman was at the game with his camera and more of his pictures in addition to those below can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

The other game staged on Saturday was the local derby game at Shrivenham where near neighbours Faringdon Town were the visitors. When the two sides had met at Faringdon back in October a crowd had 250 had witnessed a close encounter as Faringdon Town officially opened their new floodlights. There was another three-figure crowd in the return fixture at Shrivenham on Saturday and once again the crowd were to witness another tight contest in a typical local derby encounter. The game was to ultimately end without a goal for either side due to a combination of some excellent saves from the two goalkeepers, Jack Gibson for Faringdon and Lewis Fox for Shrivenham, and some wayward shooting when players were through on goal. Shrivenham were to end the game with just ten men after Alfie Barker was sent off for a foul on the edge of the box when the Faringdon player got beyond the Shrivenham defence and was clear on goal. Despite the numerical disadvantage Shrivenham saw out the closing stages without conceding to extend their unbeaten run to ten games. Your Sport Swindon were there with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights from the game by clicking on the link below or accessing from the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where all other games in the league covered by Your Sport Swindon can also be accessed.

Shrivenham who made it 10 games unbeaten in the league with a 0-0 home draw against Faringdon Town (picture courtesy of Martin Pearce)

  Saturday 4th January 2025

Frozen Pitches Hit Fixtures But

Six Games Played on 3G

Premier Division

Friday night’s cold snap put paid to all the games that were scheduled to be played on grass in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. Four league games did take place though with the 3G pitches at Stanley Park, the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, Bulford Camp and Kingsdown School showing the advantage of such surfaces at this time of the year.  

With the top two at the start of the day, Kintbury Rangers and Letcombe, both seeing their games postponed third placed Park United had the chance to move second in the table with victory over Faringdon Town and at the same time erode Kintbury’s lead at the top of the table. It was mission accomplished for Darrin Moss’ side as a goal in each half was enough to overcome a stubborn Faringdon side who are desperately in need of points at the other end of the table as they look to avoid relegation in their first season in the Premier Division. Park’s leading scorer Ben Pring broke the deadlock on 22 minutes, getting on the end of a cross into the Faringdon box and flicking the ball over Faringdon keeper Jack Gibson. That is now 16 for the season for Pring. It remained just the one goal in it at half time. Park finally gave themselves a two-goal cushion just after the hour mark, the goal coming just moments after Faringdon had gone close to equalising, new signing Louis Bouwers seeing his header come back off the crossbar to deny him a goal on his season debut. Moments later Park won a corner and, whilst the initial corner was cleared, it was a poor clearance allowing the ball to be played back into the box where centre half Charlie Norman was on hand to head home for his first league goal of the season for 2-0. Faringdon pushed to try and get a foothold back in the game but, despite having plenty of possession, they were unable to find a way through an organised Park defence as it finished with just the two goals for Park United. The win for Park saw them move above Letcombe into second place, one point ahead but having played three more games. The win also cut Kintbury Rangers lead at the top of the table to ten points, with Kintbury, who have applied for promotion to Step 6, now having a game in hand and who remain firm favourites for the title and promotion.

Kingsdown had been forced to move their game against Trowbridge Town to the 3G pitch at Kingsdown School, normally used by their Development side, with Shield & Dagger set to be at Southbrook Rec in the Wiltshire Junior Cup. In the end Southbrook was not playable due to a frozen pitch, with Shield & Dagger forced to move their game to the 3G at Moredon at short notice. Kingsdown's switch to the 3G effectively saved the fixture as it would otherwise have not gone ahead. The two sides produced an entertaining affair with its fair share of controversy on the artificial surface. Trowbridge came out of the blocks quickly and were in front with just five minutes on the clock, a cross from Charlie Maddison from the left was met by the head of Martin Johnson whose powerful header back of across goal went in off a Kingsdown defender attempting to clear it. Trowbridge doubled their lead on 19 minutes, winning the ball in midfield they broke quickly through James Cox whose pass across the box found Maddison, who went from provider to scorer, firing in for 2-0. It was not all one-way traffic though and Kingsdown went close when George Bendle was dispossessed in midfield and a powerful run by Finley Merchant ended with a shot that went just over. Kingsdown were not to be denied for long though, pulling one back just after the half hour mark. A ball over the top finding Ollie While who hit the ball first time on the half volley with the shot going under the body of Trowbridge keeper Rob Brown and into the net for 2-1. Trowbridge thought they had regained their two-goal advantage five minutes before the break when Johnson headed into the goal for a second time. However, on this occasion an assistant’s flag saw the goal ruled out for offside. Trowbridge then had one of their coaching staff sent off for comments made about the decision as the half finished with the visitors holding a slender advantage. 

It remained 2-1 until just after the hour mark when Kingsdown got themselves back on level terms. A ball over the top from Antonio Gerrish found While who ran on to fire home for his second of the game to make it 2-2. A minute later though, having created the chance for While, Gerrish found himself sent to the sin bin for dissent meaning Kingsdown had to play a man short for ten minutes. Trowbridge took advantage of the extra man and were back in front within five minutes of the temporary dismissal with a stunning goal. Picking the ball up from just inside the opposition half, Maddison hit a shot from distance that eluded the stretch of Kingsdown keeper Lewis Simmonds and sailed just under the crossbar and into the net for a stunning goal to put Trowbridge 3-2 up. The goal would have been a worthy winner of any game but there was to be further drama 12 minutes from time when Finley Merchant’s cross into the box was controversially adjudged to have struck the arm of Trowbridge Town’s Jamie Jordan and a penalty awarded. Liam Wilkinson fired the penalty powerfully straight down the middle giving Trowbridge keeper Rob Brown no chance to level matters up at 3-3. Both sides went in search of a winner with Trowbridge going the closest, Kingsdown keeper Simmonds doing well to push a free kick form Trowbridge captain Jamie Lyons onto the crossbar but there was to be no more goals as the two sides had to settle for a point apiece. Your Sport Swindon were at this game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights from the game by clicking on the link below or by using the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the league website where all other games in the league covered by Your Sport Swindon can also be accessed. Alwyn Bodman was also at the game with his camera and more of his pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

When Calne Town Reserves had met Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development at Bremhill View back in September they had run out comfortable 5-0 winners. However, when Calne first team visited the Gerard Buxton Ground in the Wiltshire Senior Cup in November, Royal Wootton Bassett Town had caused a major upset by defeating the Step 6 side who are going well in Division One of the Jewson Western League and Royal Wootton Bassett were looking to follow that up with a defeat of the reserve side. Having played more games than all but one of the other sides in the division, Mark Simpkins side know they have to start putting points on the board quickly if they are to avoid the drop come the end of the season. They dominated proceedings in the first half, striking the frame of the goal on several occasions. The first such near miss was when Sam Case headed onto the crossbar from an Ollie Smith cross. It was another Smith cross that saw the home side go close again, Mani Mesas seeing his header towards goal striking the top of the crossbar and going over. Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev continued to press and went close again when a header from Ben Spackman was turned over the bar by the Calne keeper with a fine save. George Statton then went close to breaking the deadlock, his run down the left flank ending with a shot to the far post which skimmed the outside of the post. Despite the home side dominating proceedings, the two teams turned round at half time with the game still without a goal. The deadlock was finally broken in the second half, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development’s leading scorer Flynn Walters beating the Calne defence to a flick on in midfield and then running with the ball to the edge of the Calne box before firing a low shot into the bottom far corner of the Calne net for 1-0 for and his 12th goal of the campaign. In the end that was to prove to be the difference between the two sides on the day as Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev picked up three vital points in their quest to avoid the drop. The win for Royal Wootton Bassett saw them climb above Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves and they are now also five points above the drop zone but have played more games than the sides around them. Your Sport Swindon were again at this game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights from the game by clicking on the link below or by using the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the league website where all other games in the league covered by Your Sport Swindon can also be accessed.

The final game of the day in the Premier Division was a massive game at the wrong end of the table involving two further Development sides who are involved in the relegation battle, Salisbury Development and Larkhall Athletic Development. When the sides had met at Bath in October, Salisbury had returned with all three points following a narrow 2-1 away win. The return match was another close encounter but a goal in each half ensured that Larkhall avenged that earlier defeat. Ben Riccio with a fine individual goal in the first half and a Kieran Taylor strike in the second half doing the damage for Larkhall. The win for Larkhall saw them move level on points with Faringdon Town and to within four points of their beaten opponents who now sit just above the relegation line, although Larkhall, like Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development, have played more games than the teams around them..

The scheduled games at Kintbury Rangers, Malmesbury Vics Dev, Shrewton United, Shrivenham and Wroughton were all postponed due to frozen pitches.

Division One

Due to a combination of postponed games due to frozen pitches and games scheduled in the Wiltshire Junior Cup just two league games went ahead.

With their first team scheduled to be at home, but with near neighbours Bishops Cannings playing away in the Wiltshire Junior Cup, Devizes Town Reserves were proactive in getting a game on, by booking the 3G pitch at Green Lane allowing a fixture against Kintbury Rangers Development to be brought forward. Devizes were rewarded for their efforts securing a 5-2 win over their opponents which saw them move up to third place in the table, above Bishops Cannings on goal difference but with three games in hand. Devizes also moved level on points with second placed Down Ampney but have played one game more than the second placed side. Leading 2-1 at the break Devizes scored three more goals in the second half to run out comfortable winners in the end. On target for Devizes were Theo Corbin with two, taking his total for the season to seven, Finley Palmer, Leigh Rogers and Jamie Walters, Charlie Allsop with both goals for visitors Kintbury taking his tally for the season into double figures. David Giles was at the game with his camera and more of his pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

The other game played in the division was also on 3G, Redhouse  entertaining Purton at Moredon in a game that was pushed back to a later kick-off facilitate the game between Shield & Dagger and Semington Magpies in the Wiltshire Junior Cup. The Division One game very much went to form with Redhouse hitting eight unanswered goals past the bottom of the table side. Cameron Shrubb led the way helping himself to a hat-trick, taking his total for the season to 18, Charlie Chambers bagged a brace, with further goals from Paul Amoni, Daniel Axford and Hayden Watson. Purton had a golden chance to get one of their own from the penalty spot, but Redhouse keeper Paul Squires saved the spot kick to ensure his side achieved their third clean sheet of the season, two of which have been against Purton. Redhouse moved up one place in the table, overtaking Stratton Juniors as a result of their victory.

The scheduled games at Lambourn Sports, Marlborough Town, Pewsey Vale Dev and Stratton Juniors were all postponed due to frozen pitches.

Wiltshire Junior Cup

In the Wiltshire Junior Cup, Bratton finally got to play their Fourth Round game at the third attempt and it was to prove to be a comfortable afternoon for last season’s beaten finalists against Coleview from the Swindon & District League Premier Division. Two goals from both Jack Booth and Max Bishop plus further strikes from Matthew Mead and Joe Edwards securing a 6-0 win over the Swindon & District League side. Bratton will now be away to Laverstock & Ford Reserves in the quarter final.

Cricklade Town’s quarter final tie away to Wilton was postponed due to a frozen pitch and, assuming the Wiltshire FA follow their own rules, Cricklade will now be home in the restaged game next week.

The other side from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League involved in the quarter finals, Bishops Cannings, were unable to progress through to the last four going down 5-2 away to Tisbury United from the Dorset County League, Jack Spanswick with both of the Bishops Cannings goals. 

  Saturday 11th January 2025

Frozen Pitches Once Again Hit Fixtures,

With Just Six Games Played, all on 3G

Premier Division

Once again the cold weather put paid to a large slice of the fixture schedule for a second consecutive week with just four games surviving in the Premier Division, one in Division One and one in the Wiltshire Junior Cup, all six games being played on 3G surfaces.  The four games that did survive saw all of the top three sides in the Premier Division in action.

League leaders Kintbury Rangers  were away to an improving Larkhall Athletic Development  side who had won two of their three previous outings ahead of the game. It was to prove to be a tight affair which in the end was decided by a solitary second half goal from Kintbury Rangers Ben Luckett from a corner which saw his side open up an eleven point lead at the top of the table. Kintbury have now won 16 and drawn three of their opening 19 league fixtures and remain clear favourites for this season’s league title.

Another of the title challengers Letcombe were also involved in another close encounter away to Salisbury Development. Salisbury are another side at the bottom end of the table who have been showing improved form of late getting impressive wins over both Shrewton United and Wroughton and also picking up a point against Pewsey Vale at the back end of the 2024 calendar year. On Saturday it was Salisbury who went in front through Daniel Bazen on 12 minutes. Letcombe responded to going behind by putting the home side under sustained pressure and finally got themselves back on level terms just after the half hour mark, Jordan Davies netting following a corner. Two further goals in the closing minutes of the half saw Letcombe in what looked to be a commanding position going into the break. For the first goal Letcombe pressed the Salisbury back line high up in their own half and dispossessed the home side, and a one two between Davies and Kieran Kerby saw Kerby fire in for 2-1. Moments later it was 3-1, Jack Daley heading home from a corner to put the visitors two goals up at the break. The second half saw Salisbury up their game, and they proceeded to put Letcombe under sustained pressure, missing several chances before finally pulling one back just after the hour mark, the goal coming courtesy of an own goal. Salisbury continued to push for an equaliser and went close ten minutes from time when Naman Gurung saw his shot come back off the frame of the goal. Try as they might they could not find that equaliser and Letcombe held out to take the three points but knew they had been pushed all the way by the young Salisbury side. The win for Letcombe saw them move above Park United into second spot, those 11 points behind Kintbury Rangers but with two games in hand and the sides still to play each other for a second time.

It was to prove to be bad day at the office for Park United who started the day in second placed in the table. Their opponents were Shrivenham who came into the game in fine form of their own, unbeaten in ten league games and climbing the table at a rapid rate after a difficult start to the season. They started their visit to Stanley Park in storming fashion, scoring five times in the opening 35 minutes of the match. Robbie Hendry set them on their way with the first on five minutes before Jacob Newdick doubled their lead ten minutes later. Newdick was at it again five minutes later, getting his second of the game to make it 3-0 with just 20 minutes gone. Two goals in three minutes from Alex Harrison just after the half hour mark put Shrivenham five goals ahead against a shell-shocked Park side. Park manager Darrin Moss was relieved to hear the half time whistle without any further damage and his side came out for the second half to try and undo the damage of that first half. They pulled one back early in the second half, but Zac Skinner then restored Shrivenham’s five goal advantage with a sixth to make it 6-1. Park managed to reduce the deficit with one more of the own before the end to win the half, but the damage had already been done in that opening 45 minutes as it finished 6-2 to the visitors. The defeat for Park cost them that second place whilst Shrivenham climbed two places up to seventh spot, their highest position of the season so far. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers will be able to view the highlights from this game once they have been uploaded to the Your Sport Swindon website by clicking on the link below:

Malmesbury Vics Development  switched their game against Kingsdown to the 3G pitch at Cirencester Town, the game taking place after a Wiltshire Junior Cup game involving Cricklade Town and Wilton. The game was the first home game of the season that Malmesbury have been able to play given the issues they have had with their own pitch at the Flying Monk ground this season, which has also seen their first team play just two home games, one of which was also at Cirencester. It was not to be a happy ending to the first home league game of the season as they fell to a 6-1 defeat. The Kingsdown goals were shared around the team with Kieran O’Daly, Joe English, Tyler Wilkinson, Ollie While, Antonio Gerrish and Ben Payne all scoring for the visitors, Sam Parker with the consolation goal for Malmesbury. The win for Kingsdown saw them climb a couple of places into the top half of the table in what is a congested middle of the table with just two points now separating six sides.

The scheduled games at Bemerton, Blunsdon, Calne Town Reserves, Faringdon and Melksham were all postponed due to frozen pitches, although the Faringdon v Wroughton game has been quickly rearranged between the two clubs and the league for this coming Wednesday.

Division One

Just one league game survived in Division One with Down Ampney helping Purton to facilitate that their game went ahead on a 3G pitch at Swindon Academy. They were rewarded for their pro activity by securing a comfortable 8-1 win, although having won the first meeting between the two sides 20-0, Purton are definitely showing signs of improvement as the season has progressed. Lewis Baston set Down Ampney on their way with the opener before Charlie McCuish doubled the lead with his 21^st goal of the season. Paddy Cripps, George Bailey and leading scorer Harvey Coster then got in on the goalscoring act, all three scoring twice, with Coster taking his total for the season to 24 and leadership of the Division’s goal scoring chart in the process. The win saw Down Ampney move to within eight points of leaders Cricklade Town with two games in hand.

Wiltshire Junior Cup

In the Wiltshire Junior Cup, the game between Laverstock & Ford Reserves and Bratton was postponed, although the first team game on the adjacent pitch went ahead. This tie has now been rescheduled for next week. 

The one game that did go ahead was on the 3G at Cirencester Town where Cricklade Town entertained Wilton from Division 2 of the Dorset League. It started well for the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side, as Emmanuel Kwarteng-Abrokwa gave Cricklade an early lead. It remained just the one goal in it at half time, but Wilton were back on level terms within five minutes of the restart.  It remained all square until 20 minutes from time when Callum Parsons restored Cricklade’s lead, scoring from a free kick for his 15^th goal of the season. The game moved into the final few minutes with Cricklade holding that slender lead but there was to be late drama as Wilton scored an equaliser three minutes from time. There was to be no further goals sending the game into a penalty shootout to decide matters. After ten perfect penalties, Devan Bryan, Daniel Dicks, Levi Cox, Scott Chilcott and Harry Ayres all scoring for Cricklade, the game went to sudden death. Player manager Mani Roper put Cricklade’s sixth penalty away, but Wilton failed to net with their first in sudden death, the spot kick coming back off the crossbar, to see Cricklade Town progress to the semi final.

Joining Cricklade Town in the last four are Tisbury United from the Premier Division of the Dorset Senior League who beat Bishops Cannings 5-2 last week and Swindon & District League Premier Division side Shield & Dagger  who defeated FC Abbey Meads, another Swindon & District League side, 2-0.

The full schedule of games played so far this season in the Wiltshire Junior Cup and the remaining quarter final ties is shown below:

  Saturday 18th January 2025

As You Were in The Premier Division,

Kintbury Rangers Dev Into Cup Semi

Premier Division

It is as you were at both ends of the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League as this weekends round of games saw wins for both the top two sides, whilst at the other end of the table all of the four teams in the relegation zone were defeated.

League leaders Kintbury Rangers were involved in a close game at the Recreation Ground where their visitors were Melksham Town Reserves. A first half goal from Kintbury’s Tom Beal was all that separated the two sides as Kintbury maintained their eleven-point lead at the top of the table but having played two games more than second placed Letcombe.

Letcombe kept the pressure on Kintbury when they made the relatively short 18-mile journey to Sutton Park to take on Blunsdon  who had lost 9-1 in their last outing and were keen to pick up points to try and escape the relegation zone.  Whilst they would improve on that result it was to be another tough afternoon for Blunsdon as they felt to a 6-1 defeat. Leading scorer Ben Cleary set Letcombe on their way firing them in front after good work by Xavi Diaz. Diaz then went from provider to scorer, getting on the end of a long clearance from keeper Harry Whitehead, rounding the keeper and firing in for 2-0. Diaz added a third for Letcombe with his second of the game before Cleary also bagged a brace to make it 4-0 after being put in by Jordi Davies. That is now 15 for the season for Letcombe’s leading scorer. Diaz rounded off an excellent afternoon for the Letcombe winger with a hat-trick goal to put Letcombe 5-0 up. Letcombe were to go on and score one more, Kieran Kerby getting his eleventh of the season to put Letcombe six goals ahead. There was to be a late consolation for Blunsdon but even that was scored by a Letcombe player, Luke Faircloth putting the ball into his own net to make the final score 6-1 to the visitors. Letcombe are back in action in midweek when they travel to Calne Town Reserves for the third attempt at staging their Fountain Trophies Cup Second Round tie.

It has been a good week for Wroughton. In midweek they moved to within two points of Park United into fourth place in the table with a 3-0 away win at struggling Faringdon Town. On a fog bound night all three goals came in the first half. Two more goals for leading scorer Jonathan Peachey-Score saw him move onto 24 for the season, Bonsa Teshome with the other Wroughton goal. Having closed the gap to Park in midweek, Saturday saw Wroughton looking to move above them with a win at Stanley Park. Park meanwhile were looking to bounce back from last week’s heavy home defeat at the hands of Shrivenham. It started well for Park as goals from Ben Pring, his 17^th of the season, and Ben Selman put Park 2-0 to the good. However, Wroughton got a foothold back in the game with goal number 25 from Peachey-Score and a second of the season from influential midfield player Max Scholefield brought them back level. There was to be a winner on the day, and it was to go Wroughton's way, as Peachey-Score completed the turnaround with his second of the game and goal number 26 of the season to give his side a six-point haul for the week as they took over that third spot in the table from their beaten opponents.

Shrewton United had surprised a few with their application for promotion to Step 6 but certainly set out their credentials for a top five finish with a resounding away win at Pewsey Vale. Pewsey had not played since the end of November, whilst Shrewton had played twice in December and had also staged a friendly in midweek to get minutes into their players legs. That friendly certainly reaped its rewards as George Plank’s side returned from the Recreation Ground with all three points following an impressive 5-0 win over the side who had sat three places above them at the start of the day but clearly suffered from the lack of competitive action. Star of the show was Morgan Aldridge, Shrewton’s recent signing from Andover New Street, who scored a hat-trick on his debut, with further goals from Lewis Cross and Charlie Utterson. The win for Shrewton saw them complete the league double over Pewsey and move above their beaten opponents into sixth place, and are now just one point outside the top five.

Just two points and one place separated Shrivenham and Kingsdown in the table ahead of their game at Kingsdown School, switched to the 3G due to issues with the pitch at Southbrook Rec. The game unfortunately would not go the full duration. After having given his side a 1-0 lead Shrivenham’s Alex Harrison was later seriously injured with a suspected double fracture of his leg and the game was abandoned with an ambulance called. The ambulance did not arrive for some time and the Shrivenham club put out on social media their thanks to Kingsdown manager Adrian Wilkinson and his players and referee Steve Southam for their support and empathy given to the injured player and how the situation was handled. All at the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League wish Alex a full and speedy recovery from this serious injury.

Trowbridge Town are another side who have applied for promotion and whilst they started the day down in eleventh spot, the gap in terms of points to that needed top five place was not that great given the congested middle of the table. After a barren run of just one win in their previous eight games, Trowbridge finally returned to winning ways with a 5-1 home success over Larkhall Athletic Development, to complete a league double over the Bath based side who were the only side they had beaten in that eight game spell. The game remained goalless until just after the half hour mark when former manager Ryan Baggs put the home side in front following a corner. The lead did not last long though as Arlo Stone on his debut had Larkhall back on level terms within two minutes of the Trowbridge opener. However, two minutes later Trowbridge were back in front, a free kick from captain Jamie Lyons finding the top corner of the net for 2-1 to Trowbridge. It remained that way until the stroke of half time when a ball through found Ben Wickens and the Trowbridge striker slotted home to give his side a two goal cushion going into the break. Five minutes after the restart it was effectively game over as George Bendle, picking the ball up on the edge of the box, beat his defender and fired in for a fourth Trowbridge goal. Trowbridge thought they had a fifth moments later when a cross from Jamie Jordan was headed in by Charlie Maddison, but the goal was ruled out for an offside. Larkhall were then given a golden chance to reduce the deficit when they were awarded a penalty on the hour mark but Stone, who was having an eventful debut, hit the post with his spot kick. It was not Larkhall's day in front of goal as they had also failed to take a couple of one-one-one chances. The game was then put beyond Larkhall 17 minutes from time, Charlie Maddison finding the back of the net again from a Jamie Jordan cross and this time it counted as his side finished 5-1 winners. The win for Trowbridge saw them climb one place in the table, but they are just four points adrift of fifth place, with a game in hand over four of the five sides immediately above them in the table. Both teams will be in Fountain Trophies Cup action this coming week, Larkhall will host Melksham Town Reserves on Wednesday night in a repeat of last season’s cup final in a game switched to Larkhall following two previous postponements. Then on Saturday Trowbridge Town will host Pewsey Vale as the sides attempt for the second time to play their Second Round game.

There were two big games impacting the bottom end of the table with Royal Wootton Bassett Town entertaining Faringdon Town at the Sustain Stadium and Salisbury up against Malmesbury Vics Development at Bulford. Royal Wootton Bassett Town started the day five points above the drop zone and six points ahead of scheduled opponents Faringdon Town, although Faringdon had played three games less. In an evenly matched game between two sides in terms of possession and chances, one side was to prove to be more efficient in front of goal to claim the three points and that was the home side Royal Wootton Bassett Town. They went in front with just seven minutes on the clock and there was an element of good fortune about the goal as what looked like a cross from the right from leading scorer Flynn Walters deceived Faringdon keeper Jack Gibson and ended up in the far top corner of the net for 1-0. Royal Wootton Bassett then doubled their lead when a ball over the top found Mani Mesas who beat his defender and then placed a shot past Gibson into the far bottom corner of the net for 2-0. The home side buoyed by the two goals went in search of a third and two minutes later Walters went close again, firing just over after neat interplay involving Mesas and Dale Richards. Both sides continued to enjoy plenty of possession but when the visitors did put the home side under pressure from balls into the box, they found home keeper Adam House in commanding form coming to claim and successfully take all of the crosses and corners and it remained 2-0 at the break. Seven minutes into the second half the home side went further in front after a corner into the box eluded keeper Gibson and his defenders and was headed in at the back post by Mesas for his second of the game. To their credit Faringdon continued to try and get themselves back into the game and, with the home side seemingly thinking the game was won, started to put the home side under sustained pressure. They went close to pulling one back 18 minutes from time when a free kick was acrobatically turned over by House. However, from the resulting corner Luke Davenport found the back of the net with House this time unable to prevent the ball going in as Faringdon pulled one back. Faringdon continued to pressurise the home goal and Matthew Bibby went close ten minutes from time with an effort from outside the box that went just over. Five minutes later skipper Raymond Lovell had a header that went just wide. Royal Wootton Bassett saw out the closing minutes to register a 3-1 win and three vital points to avoid the drop. Faringdon meanwhile remain in the drop zone and are still without a win away from home with just two points on their travels.

The other game impacting the relegation saw Salisbury Development ease their relegation concerns with a 5-0 home victory over bottom side Malmesbury Victoria FC Dev. An early goal from Harry Guy with just four minutes gone was enough to give the home side a lead at the break. They upped their game after the restart and added four more goals to complete a comfortable win to open up a six point gap between them and the relegation zone. Harry Guy completed his hat-trick with further goals from Naman Gurung and Jack Stacey. With four games against the current bottom four still to come for Salisbury, plus games against both Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development who are also at the wrong end of the table, Salisbury will be starting to sit more comfortably.

Division One

With their nearest rivals otherwise engaged in County Cup action this weekend, Cricklade Town had the opportunity to increase their lead at the top of the table. However, it did not start well for the leaders as they found themselves 2-0 down with half an hour gone against Pewsey Vale Development. Pewsey went ahead from the penalty spot on 16 minutes and then adding a second on 26 minutes, Kieron Kiff and Ryan Lees with the goals. Cricklade finally found the right gear and pulled one back through Scott Chilcott just after the half hour mark. Three minutes later they were back on level terms, Levi Cox with goal number 17 of the season. Despite that poor start Cricklade would go into the half time break with a lead, a second for Chilcott three minutes before the break seeing Mani Roper’s side turn things around completely after going those two goals behind. A second for Cox seven minutes after the break gave Cricklade a two goal cushion and Chilcott made sure of the points 13 minutes from time, completing his hat-trick as Cricklade secured a 5-2 win to move eleven points clear at the top of the table, although second placed Down Ampney now have three games in hand.

Bishops Cannings climbed back up to third place in the table following a 3-3 draw against Redhouse at Green Lane, Will Cook, Jack Spanswick and goal number 24 of the season from Szymon Raczek for Bishops Cannings, Ryan Butler, Charlie Chambers and Cameron Shrubb with his 19^th of the season in reply for Redhouse. Bishops Cannings are now a point ahead of near neighbours Devizes Town Reserves and two points adrift of second place Down Ampney, but having played four games more than both sides.

Bradford Town Res opened up a five point gap between themselves and the bottom five in the division with a 3-0 away win at improving Purton. Corey Pugh put them ahead before Harry Ledbury doubled their lead with his sixth goal of the campaign. A third from Bartek Gorecki made sure of the points with a third but Purton will be encouraged by what was their lowest defeat of the season.

Kingsdown Development continue to be one of the form teams in the division as they made it six games unbeaten, five of which have been won, with a comfortable 5-0 away win in the Swindon derby against Stratton Juniors to complete a league double over their near neighbours. The goals were shared around the side with one apiece for Finn Broadbank, Roberto Cinquegrani, Eden Hewlett, Ollie Hunt and a ninth of the season from Josh Atwell. The latest win saw Kingsdown climb into the top half of the table for the first time this season.

Marlborough Town climbed one place in the table to fifth place after a hard fought 2-1 away win at Shrivenham Development. It was a good afternoon for the Womersley family with both Tom and Harry getting on the score sheet, Harry taking his total for the season into double figures, with Tom just two behind him in the goal scoring stakes. On target for Shrivenham was Kieron Sutton.