Veterans' League Cup

The first of the two Veterans’ League Cup finalists is known with holders Nationwide making it through to the final for the second consecutive season after a come from behind win on Tuesday night against fellow North Wiltshire Division opponents Chiseldon, the winner coming in the final minute of the game. Nationwide had gone close to going in front early in the first half, first Paul Stonehouse being denied by an excellent save from Chiseldon keeper Matthew Clarke. Clarke then produced another good save to deny Marc Merritt. However, it would be Chiseldon who got themselves in front. Nationwide gave the ball away on the edge of the Chiseldon box and a long ball over the top from defence put Adam O’Keeffe clear of the Nationwide defence, his shot from the edge of the box saw Nationwide keeper Andy Phoenix get his hands to it but he could not prevent it going into the net. O’Keeffe who was proving a handful to the Nationwide defence went close to doubling Chiseldon’s lead with a powerful run into box ending with a shot across goal which just evaded the far post. O’Keeffe continued to be a threat in the second half, going close with another shot after cutting in from the left-hand side of the box and then putting a dangerous looking cross to the far post which was headed just over by Ermal Molla. Eventually Nationwide got themselves back into the game and it was no surprise that it was Stonehouse with the goal, turning on the edge of the box to fire a powerful shot through the legs of Clarke to level matters up at 1-1. Just as it looked like penalties would be needed to decide matters there was late drama. A free kick was conceded by Chiseldon right on the edge of their 18-yard box. Stonehouse took responsibility for the free kick smashing a powerful shot that Clarke did well to get his hand to but was unable to keep it out such was the power behind the shot. Unfortunately, Nationwide’s opponents in the final remain unknown as the other semi final between Melksham Town and Durrington was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and will now be restaged a week on Monday with contingency plans to switch to Durrington on Wednesday if it is postponed for a second time. Your Sport Swindon were at the Chiseldon v Nationwide game and subscribers can view highlights of the game by clicking on the Your Sport Swindon logo below.

As well as the cup semi final it was a busy week of league action in the North Wiltshire Division with four games played. On Tuesday night Penhill United entertained Cricklade Town on the 3G at Moredon in what was the first league meeting between the sides this season. They had however met in the County Cup when penalties had been needed to decide matters after it finished 0-0. There were to be goals on this occasion though, Cricklade scoring twice through TJ Bohane and Aaron Maximen to register a 2-0 victory that saw them move to within a point of leaders Redhouse who were scheduled to play the following night.  

On Wednesday night Redhouse duly reestablished their four-point lead at the top with a comfortable 5-1 win over AFC Swindon at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground. Fred Galrito led the way with two of the Redhouse goals, the other three coming through leading scorer David Pratt, Nolan Paul and Leigh Brown, Andrew Copland with the consolation goal for AFC Swindon. Redhouse have just three games to go and will probably need to win all three if they are to get league honours this season but will also probably need both Cricklade Town and Nationwide to drop points along the way as well.

The same night ExIntel bounced back from Friday’s disappointment in losing the County Cup Final with a 2-0 win over an improving Stratton Juniors side. Lewis Bryant put them ahead six minutes before half time and then a second from substitute Junior Small ten minutes after the break made sure of the points for ExIntel who consolidated their fourth-place position in the table.

The final game of the week was an entertaining affair at Moredon on Thursday night between Swindon Rovers and FS Swindon. Twice Swindon Rovers got themselves in front only be pegged back twice by the side who currently sit bottom of the table but have been picking up points of late. Taiwo Abolarin opened the scoring for Swindon Rovers putting his side ahead on 14 minutes with a well worked team goal. FS Swindon were back on level terms though shortly after, Tom Brown lobbing the Swindon Rovers keeper from distance to make it 1-1. Swindon Rovers would be back in front by half time though, Luke Wilson heading powerfully home three minutes before the break from a corner to give his side a slender half time lead. It remained a tight affair throughout, and FS Swindon got themselves back on level terms for the second time, Brown getting his second goal of the game. There was to be a winner though and it went the way of Swindon Rovers, Abolarin with the vital goal, getting his second of the game after referee Richard Leech played good advantage when Abolarin appeared to have been fouled on the edge of the box.  The Rovers striker stayed on his feet after the challenge to fire into the far corner of the net to give Rovers the three points in what had been a competitive and sporting contest between the two sides.

Mid Wiltshire Division

Melksham Town’s cup tie was not the only game to be postponed involving sides from the Mid Wiltshire Division due to a waterlogged pitch, the same fate befell the scheduled league game at Radstock Town where Westbury United  were set to be the visitors. This left just three league games on 3G pitches.

On Monday night Devizes Town moved level on points with Melksham Town at the top of the table with a 2-0 away win over Trowbridge Town Tigers, Rob Drown and Rhys Schell getting the two goals that maintained Devizes unbeaten start to the league season. 

The same night Calne Town picked up their seventh win of the season, completing a league double over Amesbury Junior Badgers in the process, with a 6-2 home victory at MOD Lyneham. Chris Robinson led the way helping himself to a hat-trick with further goals coming through Dan Allison, Stuart Ballinger and Paul Maddox, Lee Bates and Kieryn Fox with two goals for Badgers.

The following night Warminster Town moved up to fourth place in the table with a 2-0 away win over Chippenham Town at Green Lane thanks to goals from Lee Davidson and James Vincent. With all of their remaining six games being against sides below them in the table Warminster will be hoping they can bridge the current seven-point gap to third placed Durrington to achieve a top three finish, with the top three all still having to play each other twice due to cup runs.