League Cup

This week saw the two remaining quarter final ties in the Veterans’ League Cup played to complete the semi final line up.

Both games were played on Wednesday evening. At Moredon there was an inter-divisional affair when Chiseldon from the North Wiltshire Division hosted Bishops Cannings from the Mid Wiltshire Division. The game went the way of the side from the North as goals from Craig Kelly, Adam O’Keeffe and Ricky Hewitson secured a 3-1 victory for Chiseldon, Nicholas Alexander with a late consolation goal for Bishops Cannings.

The other quarter final tie was an all-Mid Wiltshire Division tie involving two of the sides who are up there challenging for the league title, Durrington and Devizes Town. The two side have yet to meet in the league this season where Devizes Town remain unbeaten and Durrington have won nine and lost just two of their opening 11 games, with the two sides just separated by a single point at the top of the table. A close encounter was anticipated, and it proved to be just that with Durrington eventually edging by a single goal margin following a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Shaune Smith and Keith Darling, Joshua Brigham with the Devizes Town goal. Durrington and Chisledon joining Nationwide and Melksham Town to complete the semi final line up giving two sides each from the two divisions.

League Chairman Brian Busson and League Secretary Jim Thorn have made the draw for the semi final and it guarantees a representative from each division in the final with Chiseldon drawn at home to Nationwide and Melksham Town drawn at home to Durrington. The dates for these games are yet to be set.

Mid Wiltshire Division

The league action in the Mid Wiltshire Division got underway on Monday night with three scheduled fixtures although only two were to be played. For the second time this season Warminster Town were unable to raise a side for a game away at Melksham Town, having also conceded a League Cup tie they now have gifted Melksham three points in the league.

The first of the two games that did get played saw Trowbridge Town Tigers finally end a run of defeats which had seen them lose eight straight games in all competitions. They brought that dismal run to an end by securing their biggest win of the season a 5-1 defeat of bottom of the table Amesbury Junior Badgers. The goals were shared around the side with five different scorers. Phil Lewis set them on their way with the opener before Clifford Sakyi doubled their lead. There was then a flurry of goals in the space of three minutes, Ralph Plummer putting Trowbridge 3-0 up before Stuart Dark pulled one back for Amesbury almost immediately. Trowbridge then quickly restored the three-goal margin a minute later, Jonathan Wilkins with their fourth goal to give them a 4-1 lead at the break. There was to be just the one goal after the break and it went the way of the Tigers, Mariusz Hoszko adding a fifth to round off a good night for his side.

The other league game on Monday night at MOD Lyneham was a somewhat closer affair between Calne Town and Westbury United settled by a solitary goal from Westbury’s Dale Rowland to give his side the three points. The win for Westbury saw them move above their beaten opponents on goal difference but having played three games less than Calne.

North Wiltshire Division

It was a busy week for teams in the North Wiltshire Division. In addition to Chiseldon’s cup tie there were four league games. Stratton Juniors had picked up their first league win of the season last week with that surprise comprehensive victory over Nationwide and they made it two wins on the bounce with a 3-1 victory over Swindon Rovers at Moredon on Tuesday night. Nial Francis who had been the star of the show against Nationwide with four goals was once again amongst the goals for Stratton, Michael Gregory and new signing Jason Tatum on his debut also finding the back of the net, Craig Kimmens with the Swindon Rovers goal. The win for Stratton saw them climb off the bottom of the table.

FS Swindon slipped back below Stratton Juniors following a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of AFC Swindon at New College earlier the same evening, with all three goals coming in the first half. AFC Swindon went in front on five minutes when a ball over the top saw Andy Philpott get behind the FS Swindon defence, the keeper came out but his attempted clearance came back off Philpott who found himself through on goal with an empty net in front of him. He still had a bit to do though as it was a tight angle, but he fired home for 1-0. FS Swindon then had their keeper to thank though for preventing them going further behind, saving with his feet when Andrew Copland was through on goal. Having survived that scare FS Swindon got themselves back on level terms when a Tom Brown ball into the box from the right deceived the AFC Swindon keeper to nestle in the far top corner of the net for 1-1. What would prove to be the winner was scored by Copland on 18 minutes, firing home from the edge of the 18-yard box to regain the lead for AFC Swindon. Although both sides created chances during the second half that was to be the end of the night’s scoring. The fifth win of the season for AFC Swindon saw them move above Royal Wootton Bassett Town in the table and into eighth spot. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights from the game by clicking on the link below:

Your Sport Swindon were again out with their cameras the following night capturing the action at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground where Redhouse entertained Penhill United. When the two sides had met in the League Cup recently it has finished 0-0 with penalties needed to settle matters. It was once again another tight affair with both sides again failing to find the back of the net and this time having to settle for a point apiece. The fact that it remained 0-0 at the end was due to a combination of some excellent goalkeeping and wayward finishing. Steve Bunting went close to giving Penhill the lead when he shot from distance from the left-hand side of the pitch. His shot looked destined for the net but Stuart Thompson in the Redhouse goal stretched to spectacularly turn the ball over the bar to prevent the goal. League leaders Redhouse went in search of the opener after the break and did have the ball in the back of the net following a free kick, however the goal was struck off by an offside flag and it remained 0-0. Redhouse continued to push for a winner and were denied on a couple of occasions by excellent saves from Penhill keeper Lee Bailey. The point for Redhouse extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points but they have played five more games than second placed Cricklade Town. Your Sport Swindon subscribers can watch the highlights of this game by clicking on the link below:

Cricklade Town moved up to that second spot with a 3-0 away win over ExIntel at Moredon on Thursday night. Adam Smith led the way for Cricklade scoring twice with the Division’s leading scorer TJ Bohane also on the score sheet with goal number 24 of the season.

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