Wiltshire Junior Cup

Cricklade Town are the headline makers this weekend after they lifted the Wiltshire County FA Junior Cup for only the second time in their history. That one previous win had come way back in Season 1967-68 when they had defeated Stockton & Codford in the final. For what has seemed like an age, the sun finally shone on Wiltshire football this weekend with the final at the Sustain Stadium, home of Royal Wootton Bassett Town played on glorious afternoon. Cricklade’s opponents were Laverstock & Ford Reserves who play in the Hampshire Combination & Development League. Laverstock & Ford’s route to the final had seen their young side defeat Spectrum, Sherston Town, two Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League sides in Bradford Town Reserves and Bratton, before knocking out Swindon & District League Premier Division side Shield & Dagger in the semi final. Cricklade meanwhile had only played three games on the way to the final after scheduled Second Round opponents Nalgo Masters folded and Swindon Supermarine Development were unable to raise a side for their scheduled Third Round tie. The three sides that Cricklade defeated on the way to the final were Mere Town (4-0), Wilton (won on penalties after it finished 2-2) and Tisbury United (4-2) in the semi final.

The first half saw Cricklade dominate the young Laverstock & Ford side, creating numerous goal scoring chances. They went close to the opener when a cross from Scott Chilcott found its way to Callum Parsons at the far post, but his effort on goal was saved with his feet by the Laverstock & Ford keeper Zach Roberts. Cricklade went close again when a ball into the box found Chilcott whose effort from the edge of the area went over the bar and it remained 0-0. There was a potential moment of controversy at the other end when a long ball out of defence found a Laverstock & Ford striker in on goal, Cricklade keeper Will Gage came rushing out of his box and connected with the Laverstock & Ford player, but an assistant’s flag had already been raised for an offside and it was in the end a free kick to Cricklade.

Cricklade continued to have the better of things and should have troubled the opposition keeper Roberts when Parsons dispossessed a defender on the edge of the area and set up Harry Ayers for a shot but his effort on goal was well wide of the post. Cricklade continued to pressurise the Laverstock & Ford defence and did have the ball in the net from a Parsons corner which was headed into his own net by a Laverstock & Ford player. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed for an apparent infringement on the Roberts but having watched it a few times on the Your Sport Swindon highlights coverage the decision appeared very harsh on Cricklade.

It was not all one-way traffic though, a break from Laverstock & Ford saw them in on goal but a combination of keeper Gage and captain Chris Jackson saw the danger averted as the two Cricklade players combined to prevent a decent shot on goal. The half ended as it had began with Cricklade on to top with the influential Parsons going close but his effort on goal was saved by Roberts and then cleared by a recovering defender as the teams turned round with the game still without a goal.  

The deadlock was finally broken early in the second half, Chilcott bravely getting on the end of a Parker Fisher cross under challenge from Roberts to steer the ball into the back of the net for 1-0 to Cricklade. Having fallen behind Laverstock & Ford went in search of an equaliser and started to grow into the game. They went close to getting that equaliser when they got behind the Cricklade back line but not for the first time in the game they were prevented from getting a clear shot on goal by a recovering Cricklade defender, this time it was Daniel Dicks who got in with the vital tackle. 

At the other end Cricklade went close to doubling their lead, a cross into the box from the right from Ayers was met by the head of Chilcott, but his powerful header was spectacularly turned over by Roberts and it remained 1-0. That second goal did eventually come allowing Cricklade to feel more comfortable that the cup was heading its way to North Wiltshire.  A Parsons corner was met by the head of Obinna Nwoke but his initial header was saved by the Laverstock & Ford keeper Roberts but the ball fell nicely for Nwoke who fired in for 2-0. Parsons then had a chance to make it three but the player who was to be named man of the match by the Wiltshire FA was denied by a last gasp tackle when it looked like he would put the game beyond doubt. Laverstock & Ford then had a spell of sustained pressure with a series of free kicks around the Cricklade 18-yard box but these were well defended by Cricklade who prevented them getting a foothold back in the game.

As the game moved into injury time they were to get a lifeline though, Rio Edgar hitting a well taken shot from the edge of the area into the bottom far corner of the net for 2-1. Cricklade saw out the remaining additional minutes without conceding a second to become the first side from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League to lift the Junior Cup since Madames in Season 2012-13. Captain Chris Jackson was presented with the cup, this after teammate Callum Parsons had received his man of the match award from the Wiltshire FA officials. Your Sport Swindon’s Harrison Burridge was at the game with his camera and subscribers can view highlights of the game by clicking on the Your Sport Swindon logo below.

Premier Division

With leaders Kintbury Rangers having a free weekend, the teams just behind them in the table, Shrivenham and Letcombe, had the opportunity to make inroads to the large lead that Kintbury have at the top of table. Unfortunately for both sides they were unable to take advantage of that opportunity.

Second placed Shrivenham were away to Kingsdown on the 3G at Kingsdown School in what was the restaging of the game that was abandoned back in January due to a serious injury to Shrivenham’s Alex Harrison, with Shrivenham leading 1-0 at the time of the injury. In the restaged game it was to prove to be Kingsdown’s afternoon, a storming first half saw them score three unanswered goals to go in 3-0 up at half time. Two for Dan Jones and one for Aiden Miller giving Kingsdown that lead at the break. Whilst Shrivenham managed to stop the flow of goals in the second half the damage had already been done and unable to find a way through the Kingsdown back line at the other end it remained as it was at half time come the final whistle. Despite the defeat Shrivenham remained in second place whilst Kingsdown moved up to third spot, one point behind their beaten opponents with a game in hand.

Letcombe, who started the day in third spot, have confirmed that they have withdrawn their application to the FA for promotion to Step 6 at the end of this season due to withdrawing their current planning application for lights following opposition to their application. However, they have not given up on their aim to eventually progress to a higher level and will explore the possibility and practicality of having retractable lights. This then leaves three teams who have submitted promotion applications for next season, Kintbury Rangers, Shrewton United and Trowbridge Town who were Saturday’s visitors to Letcombe. It was to prove to be a tight affair that would ultimately be decided in injury time at the end of the game. Visitors Trowbridge had a golden chance to go into half time with a lead when they were awarded a penalty ten minutes before the break. However, captain Jamie Lyons saw his spot kick saved by Letcombe keeper Harry Whitehead and the teams turned around with the game still at 0-0. It was to remain that way until injury time at the end of the match when Trowbridge’s Ben Wickens fired home a free kick to give Trowbridge all three points and inflict a third home defeat of the season on Letcombe. Letcombe dropped one place in the table as a result of the defeat whilst Trowbridge climbed to ninth spot and are just four points off the needed fifth place finish to have any chance of securing a promotion place. With Kintbury so far ahead though, it would probably need the FA to take two sides from the division, which they have been reluctant to do in previous seasons, but could possibly do if they were short of sides at Step 6.

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

Wroughton climbed two places in the table to fifth spot with a 4-1 home win over an out of sorts Pewsey Vale. Kassa Anderson, who has been in fine form in front of goal in recent weeks, put Wroughton 1-0 up before the division’s leading scorer Jonathan Peachey-Score doubled the Wroughton lead. Pewsey’s own leading scorer Josh Fowler then pulled one back for Pewsey before Anderson grabbed his second of the game to restore Wroughton’s two goal advantage. Peachey-Score then rounded off a good afternoon for his side with his second of the game and goal number 27 of the season.

Melksham Town Reserves were another side moving up two places in the league table into sixth place following their biggest league win of the season, a 6-2 triumph over Park United who had beaten them 2-1 in the earlier league meeting back in September. Justin Flowers’ young side avenged that earlier defeat in style thanks to two goals from both Oliver Farrell and Olly Clarke plus further strikes from Ashton Arlow and Nick Taylor, Aaron Wood and Ben Pring with the two Park goals. Park slipped two places in the table to eighth spot as a result of this defeat and results elsewhere, effectively swapping places with their conquerors.

At the other end of the table there were three big games in the battle to avoid relegation. At Bulford Salisbury Development, who started the day in the relegation zone, were up against Calne Town Reserves who themselves were in danger of being sucked into the relegation battle after four straight league defeats. It started well for the visitors though as they took the lead on 14 minutes, Sam Jones heading in from an in-swinging corner to give Calne the lead. Salisbury responded to going behind by putting the Calne goal under pressure and went close to equalising through Harry Guy, Guy seeing his shot well saved by Lewis Clark in the Calne goal. Salisbury continued to pressurise the Calne goal, but a well marshalled defence limited the home side to shots from distance and the teams turned around at the break with Calne holding that slender lead. That excellent defensive showing continued for Calne after the break as they manged to ensure they did not concede in the second half to claim three vital points which ended their run of defeats which should just about ensure their safety.  For Salisbury, they remain within the drop zone with now just one game in hand over the side just above them in the table Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development and with a tough run of fixtures ahead of them before they meet Royal Wootton Bassett at the beginning of April.

Larkhall Athletic Development  continued their excellent form that has seen them climb out of the drop zone, registering their fourth straight league win to move five points clear of the relegation positions. Their latest success came at the expense of bottom of the table Malmesbury Victoria Development  who were able to stage only their second home game at the Flying Monk thanks to the efforts of their ground staff. Goals from Harley Prior, Arlo Stone, Eddy Pope and Mason Nolan-Kemp giving Larkhall the three points in a 4-1 win, Jake Pinnell with the consolation goal for Malmesbury who remain 19 points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Faringdon Town did their own survival hopes the world of good with a come from behind victory over Shrewton United. Shrewton went in front on 23 minutes, Jordan Cross setting up Lewis Cross whose shot was deflected over Faringdon keeper Jack Gibson by one of his defenders to give Shrewton the lead. The home side went close to getting back on level terms when the ball was twice cleared off the line from a Faringdon corner, but they were to fall further behind four minutes before the break. Josh Forth was dispossessed on the edge of his own area by Lewis Cross who played the ball to Tom Plank who made no mistake to give Shrewton a 2-0 lead. There was still time for one more goal before the break though and it went the way of the home side. Leading scorer Kyle Bowyer had gone close when put through on the stroke of half time, but his effort had been saved by Shrewton keeper Sam Gillett. However, from the resulting corner from Matt Pill, an unmarked Liam Hares headed home to reduce the deficit going into the break. Five minutes into the second half Faringdon suffered a blow when Forth picked up a second yellow card and Faringdon were reduced to ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage Faringdon got themselves back on level terms on the hour mark, a free kick from Matt Pill evaded everyone in the box and found its way into the back of the net past Gillett to make it 2-2. Faringdon continued to create the better chances and twice went close to taking the lead for the first time in the game, Jamie Tuck getting on the end of Mitchell Coombes corner only to see Gillott deny him with a save and then seeing his follow up shot blocked and the ball cleared by the Shrewton defence. Faringdon would not be denied though, Matthew Bibby hitting a powerful shot from 25 yards out which flew past Gillett into the top corner of the net for 3-2. There was still plenty of time left for Shrewton to get something out of the game, but the ten men of Faringdon battled away to prevent the visitors getting an equaliser to secure three precious points in their battle to avoid the drop. The win saw Faringdon move to within a point of Salisbury and three points of Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development and a win next week against bottom of the table Malmesbury Victoria Development could well see them climb out of the relegation zone come five-o-clock next Saturday.

Division One

With Cricklade Town otherwise engaged with that County Cup Final, the teams behind them in the Division One title had the opportunity to reduce Cricklade’s lead at the top of the table. The two teams immediately below Cricklade in the table both did close that gap but in the case of Devizes Town Reserves they will be slightly disappointed with just picking up a single point away from home against Shrivenham Development  who are becoming something of a bogey side for Devizes. Last season Shrivenham had won at Devizes and in the first meeting this season had taken two points off Devizes following a 1-1 draw. It was to prove to be a similar story in the return fixture at the Ian Richardson Football Ground. Devizes cause was not helped by having a player sent off as early as the 24^th minute for a second bookable offence. It was Shrivenham Dev who got themselves in front and it came from the penalty spot, Kieran Sutton firing home to put Shrivenham 1-0 up. It remained that way at the break. Despite the numerical disadvantage Devizes came back strongly in the second half and restored parity with a goal from Rowan Anning, with his fifth of the season. Devizes pushed for the winner, but Shrivenham held out to get that second draw of the season against the side that are chasing honours at the top of the table.

There were no dropped points for third placed Marlborough Town in their away game at Stratton Juniors as they completed a league double over the Swindon based side. Having won 9-1 at Elcot Lane back in August they had another big win this weekend scoring seven unanswered goals to move level on points with Devizes Town Reserves but having played three more games. Three players all bagged a brace, Joe Reynolds, Harry Womersley and Daniel Burke, with the other Marlborough goal coming through Kieran Maidment. Stratton Juniors remain just above the re-election zone but have a six-point advantage over Pewsey Vale Development, Pewsey though have three games in hand.  

It was fourth against fifth at Green Lane where Bishops Cannings entertained Down Ampney. When the two sides had met back in August the two sides had served up a goal fest with Bishops Cannings eventually edging it by a one goal margin in a nine-goal game. There was once again to be a close encounter with plenty of goals but on this occasion, it was Down Ampney who emerged victorious. Leading 2-0 at the break Down Ampney looked to be in a commanding position. However, two goals in a minute ten minutes from the end brought Bishops Cannings right back in it, the first an own goal and the second coming through Ethan Howard to level matters up at 2-2. Just as it looked like the two sides would have to settle for a point Down Ampney grabbed a late winner to avenge that earlier defeat. On target for Down Ampney were Harvey Coster with his 25th goal of the season, Charlie McCuish, who remains just one goal behind his strike partner Coster, and Alfie Moulding, the latter with his first of the season. The win for Down Ampney saw them move to within a point of their beaten opponents but with seven games in hand as a result of their County Cup and League Cup exploits. 

After reaching the final of the Berks & Bucks FA's David Grainge Trophy in their last outing, Kintbury Rangers Development returned to league action with a short journey across to the other side of the M4 for a local derby game against Lambourn Sports. It was to prove another enjoyable afternoon for Kintbury as two goals from Harry Murtagh and one from Oliver Denner gave them a 3-0 away win, that is now 25 for the season in all competitions for Murtagh.

The final league game of the afternoon was something of a one-sided affair at Trowbridge Road, where Bradford Town Reserves visitors were Pewsey Vale Development. Four first half goals for the home side without reply effectively meant the game was as good as won by half time, two for Wiktor Wnuk and one apiece for Corey Pugh and Lex Southall inflicting the damage on Pewsey. Joe Rendle then extended the Bradford Town Reserves lead before Ollie Ford pulled one back for Pewsey. Ewan Backwill then restored the home sides five goal advantage before Ashton Buckland rounded off a good afternoon with a seventh Bradford Town goal to make the final score 7-1. The win for Bradford Town Reserves saw them climb a place in the table above Bratton who saw their home game against Purton postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, the only game that was lost to the weather this weekend.