On a day that saw not a single change in league position in the league table, Wroughton made it eleven straight wins in the league and twelve in all competitions with a narrow 3-2 home win over Frome Collegians in the first ever meeting between the two clubs. First half goals from Louis O’Shea and Riegan Cook put Wroughton in the ascendency at the break but Frome Collegians got themselves back into the game through Barry Sandquest and Theo Sing to level matters up at 2-2. Wroughton, under the temporary management for the day of Chairman Kevin Cook and Secretary Stuart Beggs, ensured that they maintained that 100% record with a winner ten minutes from time, influential midfield player Jamie McLaughlin the scorer with his second of the season. The record may remain intact but Wroughton had been pushed all the way by the league newcomers.
Corsham Town Reserves were involved in a high scoring game at the Southbank Ground eventually edging out Cricklade Town. Goals from Dan Lardner and Jake Dodge gave Corsham a 2-0 lead at the break. Lardner then scored twice after the break, completing his hat-trick and taking him to 14 for the season, to put Corsham 4-0 up and what looked an unassailable lead. However, credit to Cricklade Town who battled away and were rewarded with two goals from Jason Tatum to put them back in the game. Daniel King settled any Corsham nerves netting his sixth of the season to put Corsham 5-2 ahead but there was still time for Tatum to become the second player to register a hat-trick in the game as he added a third for Cricklade as the game finished 5-3 to the home side. The win kept Corsham Town Reserves within a point of leaders Wroughton but having played three more games.
Shrewton United gave a debut to keeper Seb Tylek in their home game against Stratton Juniors and the new signing made a number of fine saves to deny visitors Stratton Juniors who gave a much better performance than the last time the two sides had met. At the other end Shrewton’s leading scorer Saul Johnson scored twice on his return to the side to move onto twelve for the season and there were further goals for Jake Watson and Craig Appleby as Shrewton’s prolific strike force moved onto 50 league goals for the season. With exactly half their games played they look on track to once again score over a 100, emulating their feat of two seasons ago. The win mean Shrewton remained a point behind Corsham Town Reserves and two behind Wroughton.
With the top three all winning Purton could not afford to slip up and went very close to doing just that as they trailed 2-1 at Marlborough Town to goals from Christopher Deane and Jake Farrell for the home side. However, two late goals for Purton once again brought heartbreak to Marlborough Town, who had conceded a late winner the previous week at Frome Collegians. On target for Purton were Nathan Marland, Sam English and Andrew Bilko, the last two scoring for the second week running. The defeat meant Marlborough have now gone twelve games without a win and surely their luck must change soon?
Kintbury Rangers ensured that they also remained in touch with the top sides with a hard-fought win away at Malmesbury Victoria Development. When the sides at met at Kintbury on the opening day of the season Kintbury had rattled in ten goals without reply but there was to be no repeat of that this time although there were plenty of goals again in the first half. Kintbury went 1-0 up against the run of play but Darryl Herring headed in an equaliser for Malmesbury. Kintbury restored their lead with a well taken goal and further extended their lead before Krystian Hext scored a second for Malmesbury. A fourth for Kintbury gave them a two-goal cushion at the break. The goal scorers for Kintbury in this eventful first half were Josh Davis, who bagged a brace, Alex Smith and Harry Way. Whilst the goals flowed in the first half it was a different story after the break as both defences prevented any further scoring. The three points for Kintbury meant all of the top five had won and it was as your were at the top of the table.
The game between the two sides in sixth and seventh place at Trowbridge was the only one on the day to fall victim to the wet weather and the Town’s game with Melksham Town Reserves will be re-scheduled for the New Year.
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development moved level on points with both Trowbridge Town and Melksham Town Reserves with a 3-1 away win against Pewsey Vale who were playing their first league game since withdrawing their side from the Sydenhams Wessex League. Josh Bolton put the visitors ahead, scoring for the second consecutive week. Pewsey drew level just before the break with a penalty, Craig Simmons who had recently joined from Marlborough Town, making no mistake from the spot. Two second half goals from Dale Richards ensured it was the visitors who went away with all three points courtesy of their 3-1 win.
The final game of the day was at Ludgershall where Holt agreed with their opponents to forego home advantage to ensure their game went ahead having fallen behind with their fixtures. When the sides had met at Ludgershall back in September Holt had won comfortably 5-0 but it was a different story this time round. The two sides shared four goals and the points as Ludgershall carried on from where they left off last week, when they had registered their first points of the season with a win over Malmesbury. On target for the “home” side Holt were Dexter Chipeni and Grant Gunning, Jake Slater and Aidan Barnard replying for Ludgershall Sports.
Results, Saturday 30th November 2019
Premier Division Corsham Town Res 5 Cricklade Town 3 Holt FC 2 Ludgershall Sports 2 Malmesbury Vics Dev 2 Kintbury Rangers 4 Marlborough Town 2 Purton 3 Pewsey Vale 1 Royal W. Bassett T Dev 3 Shrewton United 4 Stratton Juniors 0 Trowbridge Town v Melksham Town Res - Postponed Wroughton 3 Frome Collegians 2