League Cup Final

On an overcast Sunday afternoon, the inaugural Ladies League Cup Final under the administration of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League took place at the Sustain Stadium at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, home of Royal Wootton Bassett Town FC. The game drew a healthy crowd of 118 who were to witness an excellent sporting contest between the two sides who, at the time of writing, occupy the top two positions of the Premier Division and look set for league honours come the end of the season, although AFC Brislington are also still involved in the race for honours.  

Right from the off Bemerton took the game to Highworth and put their opponents under some sustained pressure but without really creating any clear-cut chances. Following an early corner Bemerton broke quickly but Zoe Ridley fired just over. Three minutes later a dangerous free kick into the far post from Leanne Griffiths-Lower eluded everybody and Highworth were able to clear. Bemerton continued to probe, Ridley setting up top scorer Imogen Brady but the prolific striker’s effort on goal went just wide of the post. Bemerton were definitely on top but some resolute defending from Highworth was restricting Bemerton to shots from distance, one such shot from Leanne Griffiths-Lower going well wide. The same player had another effort on goal shortly after with a shot from the edge of the box and, on this occasion, it went just wide of the post, Bemerton were getting closer and a goal was coming.

That goal eventually came, and it was no surprise, given how hard Highworth were working, that it needed to come from a shot from distance, the ball falling to Ellen Clarke 25-yards out and her powerfully hit shot coming down off the underside of the crossbar and into the net for 1-0. As the half wore on Highworth started to grow into the game and get themselves on the front foot, alleviating some of the pressure that the defence had been under for most of the half. However, Highworth’s top scorer Bethan Harris was being well marshalled by the centre-back pairing of Mandy Kidd and Nicola Frier and Highworth were unable to create any real chances for their leading striker.

Back at the other end of the pitch Imogen Brady had another good chance on 36 minutes but her shot went straight to Highworth keeper Abbie Blackmore. Bemerton continued to press and good work from Ellie Hayward saw her put Ridley in on goal but again she shot straight at keeper Blackmore and the best chance since that opening goal came to nothing as the teams turned around at the break with just the one goal in it. Bemerton had dominated possession and been on top from the off, but they only had the one goal to show for it due to the hard work of the Highworth Town side to restrict the number of clear cut chances for a Bemerton side who are yet to taste defeat in a Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League fixture.

The second half continued in a similar vein to the first half with Bemerton on the front foot putting the Highworth goal under pressure. The first chance of the half came the way of leading scorer Brady, a ball in from Ridley finding her in the box but unfortunately for Bemerton, she could not make a good connection, and it was easily gathered by Blackmore. Next up Leanne Harvey cut in from the left and fired just over. The Bemerton fans sensed another goal was coming and they were not to be disappointed, a free kick into the box from the right saw Brady, the smallest player on the pitch, leap high and get her head to the ball just ahead of the outstretched arm of Blackmore and head the ball downwards and into the goal for 2-0 and goal number 34 of the season for the Premier Division's leading goal scorer.

Having fought such a strong rearguard action for so long the second goal seemed to visibly deflate the Highworth side and Bemerton did not let up. Leanne Harvey extended their lead from a free-kick and then shortly afterwards the Highworth defence failed to deal with a ball into the six-yard box from Ridley and substitute Amy Hards was on hand to fire home for 4-0. Ridley then went from provider to scorer after Highworth conceded a penalty and the Bemerton winger made no mistake from the spot to put here side five goals to the good. To their credit Highworth continued to battle away and created a couple of chances of their own late on. Michelle Rich, who had worked tirelessly in the Highworth midfield, had a cross come shot into the box that unfortunately for Highworth came to nothing and then a fine individual run from Harris saw her in on goal but she could not get enough room to get power into her shot and it was easily saved by Nicola Buckwell-Smith in the Bemerton goal. There was to be no further goals, and the final whistle from referee Graham Colwill, who had been excellent throughout, saw scenes of celebration amongst the Bemerton players, management and supporters. They were clearly deserved winners but credit to Highworth for the way they had worked hard all game to limit their opponents to shots from distance, particularly in that first half. The second goal was crucial in terms of the psychology of the game and only then did Bemerton look like they would score more and the final score, whilst not flattering in terms of possession, does not really reflect how well Highworth had played for the majority of the game.

The cup and individual mementos for the players and officials were presented by League Chairman Brian Busson with Bemerton captain Leanne Griffiths-Lower the last one up to be presented with the cup. Well done to both teams and the match officials for an entertaining encounter played in a sporting manner throughout. A big thank you also from hosts Royal Wootton Bassett Town to the two teams for the way they left their dressing rooms in immaculate condition after the game, and also for the courteous way the players conducted themselves in the bar and refreshments area after the game.   

The two teams are set to meet again a week on Sunday in the league in a game that Highworth must win if they are to have any chance of denying Bemerton the title.



There are lots of pictures available of Sunday's Final on the League Facebook Group Page taken by Alan Swan, Barbara Swan and Mark Smedley.

Premier Division

As well as Sunday’s cup final there were also two league games in the Premier Division. The first of the two games saw AFC Brislington maintain their quest for league honours with a comfortable 6-0 home win over Calne Town. Leading scorer Rhianna Ben-Carew was the star of the show scoring four more goals to take her tally for the season to 19, the other two goals coming through Mylie Warren and Kia Houghton. The win for Brislington saw them move to within two points of second placed Highworth Town.

Kingsdown are up to fourth place in the table after a 3-1 home win over Melksham Town at Kingsdown School. On target for Kingsdown were Charlotte Chandler, Alexi Lee and Siobhan Peplow, India Mulliss with the reply for Melksham Town. The two teams are set to meet again on the first Sunday in April at Oakfield Stadium where Kingsdown will be looking to complete a league double to help achieve a fourth place final position.

There was a rare midweek game in the Premier Division this Tuesday night with the big A361 derby between Swindon Supermarine and Highworth Town, with Highworth looking to bounce back from the disappointment of Sunday's cup defeat. An entertaining first half saw Swindon Supermarine twice take the lead with goals from Beth Turner and Millie Swift only to be pegged back on both occasion by goals from Beth Harris and Leah Holder for Highworth. Harris scored a second after the break putting Highworth ahead for the first time in the game with what proved to be the winner. The win for Highworth saw them close the gap to Bemerton to just three points, although Highworth have now played one more game than Bemerton.

Development Division

There was a full schedule of four games in the Development Division on Sunday with the top four involved in the two big games in the division.  League leaders Marlborough Town maintained their four point lead at the top with a 2-0 away win at fourth placed Salisbury. An own goal and then a second scored by leading scorer Sienna Lewis securing the three points for Marlborough in what was a close encounter between the two sides. With just three games to go for Marlborough, they remain favourites for the title, but they have three tough games to finish the season with two games against South Newton & Barford Hornets with a game against Trowbridge Wanderers sandwiched in between.

It was second against third in the game between Trowbridge Wanderers and South Newton & Barford Hornets and it was to be Trowbridge’s afternoon. Erin Wilkins fired them ahead five minutes before the break and a second from Jamie-Lee Curtis just after the hour mark saw Trowbridge secure a 2-0 win to maintain their title challenge and open up a three point lead over their beaten opponents.

Defences were on top in the game between Staverton Rangers and Kingsdown Development with neither side managing to find the back of the points meaning the points were shared.  

The final game of the day saw fifth placed Malmesbury Victoria move to within a point of Salisbury following a 4-0 home win against bottom of the table Ferndale Rodbourne. Laura Deacon led the way for Malmesbury scoring a hat-trick with Rhianon Stidever getting the other Malmesbury goal.

With Mothers’ Day this coming weekend there is set to be just the one fixture this weekend when Kingsdown Development are set to be the first team to complete their fixtures in the two Ladies divisions when they visit Trowbridge Wanderers.

Next Season

With the season drawing to a close, teams are reminded that if they do not intend running in this league next season, they need to notify League Secretary Jim Thorn by 31^st March to avoid a fine under Rule 11(A).