Premier Division

With it being the start of Half Term week there was a limited programme of games in the Ladies Divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with just the one league fixture played and two County Cup games.

The one league game was in the Premier Division, and it saw league leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins  secure a comprehensive win over Westbury Youth, scoring 13 goals without reply to open up a six-point lead at the top of the table. Ellen Clarke led the way scoring four of the Bemerton goals, Amy Sanger and substitutes Zoe Ridley and Imogen Brady all scored twice, with further goals from Leanne Griffiths-Lower, Rachel Lang and Amy Hards. With all the teams at top the division now having just seven league games to play, Bemerton who attended one of the recent promotion workshops run by the FA, look on track for their aim of elevation to the South West Regional Women’s League come the end of the season. Barbara Swan was at the game with her camera and more of her pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

County Cups

There were mixed results for the two sides involved in their respective County Cup competition with both Calne Town and AFC Brislington up against sides from the South West Regional Women’s League North Division. In the semi final of the Wiltshire Women’s County Cup Calne Town took on Purton at Green Lane, Devizes. The Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side gave a good account of themselves against their higher league opponents, holding them to 0-0 until just before the hour mark. A goal from Purton’s Hayley Huckin on 56 minutes finally broke the deadlock and a second shortly after from Amelia Fowles put Purton in command of the tie. A third scored by substitute Shona Moore made sure it would be Purton who progressed to the final where they will meet Swindon Town for a second season running, this after Swindon defeated Royal Wootton Bassett Town 2-0 in the other semi final in a game switched to the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground to avoid a 10:30am kick-off.  

AFC Brislington were also up against opponents from the South West Regional Women’s League for their quarter final tie in the Somerset Women’s Junior Cup, their opponents Paulton Rovers. A goal from Rhianna Ben-Carew gave AFC Brislington a 1-0 half time lead but an equaliser from Paulton Rovers’ Darcy Baber meant penalties were needed to settle matters. The side from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League held their nerve in the penalty shoot out to triumph 5-4 and progress to the semi final stage where they will be joined by Bath City, Weston Super Mare and Nailsea United..

This coming weekend sees a full round of fixtures in both the Premier Division and Development Division.  In the Premier Division it is top versus bottom as leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins travel to FC Chippenham. In the other three games second in the table Highworth Town entertain third placed AFC Brislington in what on paper looks to be the game of the weekend. There is local derby in Swindon when Kingsdown entertain Swindon Supermarine and the final game in the division on Sunday sees Westbury Youth at home to Melksham Town.

In the Development Division leaders Marlborough Town will look to maintain their lead at the top when they host Staverton Rangers. Second in the table Trowbridge Wanderers are home to KIngsdown Development, whilst South Newton & Barford Hornets and Malmesbury Vics who are level on points with Trowbridge take on Blunsdon and Salisbury respectively in what is turning out to be a fascinating title race.