Melksham’s Greater Composure In Front of Goal Secures County Cup Win

On a warm summers Friday evening at Devizes, the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup Final was staged at the FA’s base at Green Lane, with the current top two sides in the Mid Wiltshire Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League, Melksham Town and Corsham Town, battling it out to get their name on the trophy. Last season, despite being in its latter stages, the final of the competition was never actually played due to Covid-19.

The two league encounters between the finalists had seen Melksham win 4-1 at the InfiLED in what was the two sides opening game of the season and then Corsham avenge that defeat with a narrow 1-0 win at the Southbank Ground on a difficult night weather wise at the beginning of May.

The first ten minutes of the cup final was played at a high intensity with both sides trying to impose themselves on the game. There was also no quarter given when it came to tackles with a couple of strong physical challenges. The first real chance of the game came Corsham’s way around the 10-minute mark, Simon Gray firing a shot in from just outside the left-hand side of the box which sailed high and wide of the goal. This was to be very much the story of the night for the Corsham forward line. Three minutes later Corsham's quick and skilful Ibrahim Bigger went on a mazy run down the left-hand side to create a chance for himself but once again his shot sailed high and wide.

Almost immediately Melksham went down the other end of the pitch, Charlie Griffin fed Steve Tweddle but his attempted chip shot also went over the bar. The game continued to see a number of robust tackles and the referee was forced to show a couple of yellow cards in the opening half, including one to Barry Holloway which would prove costly for the Melksham player later on.

Just after the 20-minute mark, the best chance of the game to that point fell to Corsham after a Melksham attack broke down. It was Melksham’s leading scorer Charlie Griffin who was disposed on the edge of the Corsham box, and the resulting long ball out of defence saw Simon Gray get clear of the Melksham defence. As keeper Nick Evans came out to shut him down Corsham’s leading scorer Gray got his shot away, but the ball went the wrong side of the post to leave the game still waiting that opening goal.

However, that first goal was not too far away. A ball over the top deceived the Corsham back line and Thomas Staddon just got to the ball before the recovering defender and Corsham keeper Nick Gingell to slide the ball past the keeper and into the Corsham net to give Melksham Town the lead. Corsham sought to immediately get back on level terms but once again, after good set up play, the shot at the end of the promising move sailed way over the cross bar.

Deep into first half added time Melksham extended their lead. A neat chip from Thomas Staddon fed in Charlie Griffin who controlled the ball with his first touch before coolly side footing a shot past Gingell into the far corner of the net off the far post for 2-0. There was still time for Corsham to create a chance at the other end but once again the shot from the edge of the box was well off target as their poor night in front of goal continued.

Corsham came out for the second half on the front foot as they sought to get themselves back in the game. A dangerous cross from the right was well cleared by a header a yard from the goal line with a couple of Corsham players lurking close by. Ibrahim bigger then drew a save from keeper Evans with a shot that for once was low and on target. A header from the resulting corner to the far post went wide and it remained 2-0. Corsham continued to try and get a foothold in the game but once again a shot from outside the box sailed well over the bar in what was becoming the story of their night.

They were given a helping hand in their quest to get back in the game when Melksham’s Barry Holloway picked up his second yellow card of the game and was sent off. With the extra man advantage Corsham stepped up their game but the next three chances that came their way, yes you guessed it correctly, all went well over the bar.

With the game entering its final few minutes Melksham were awarded a penalty and the chance to wrap up the game. Leading scorer Charlie Griffin stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly shot low to the keepers left and into the net as the keeper dived the wrong way to make it 3-0 to Melksham. However, there was still time for one more goal and once again it came from the penalty spot. This time the award went Corsham’s way for an alleged handball. After a short delay whilst Melksham disputed the penalty award, James Lye fired the spot kick straight down the middle with power to make the score 3-1 with what on the night was one of very few Corsham shots that were on target. There was still time for some more drama when Corsham’s Nick Gingell went down in the box but this time the claims for a second penalty were waved away by referee Colin Hopkins who blew for full time shortly afterwards.

Well done to Melksham Town on becoming the winners of the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup and well done also to Corsham Town on making the final and providing the sizeable crowd with an entertaining final. More of John Cuthbertson's excellent pictures from the Cup Final can be found on his website using the link below:

Melksham Town Vets v Corsham Town Vets

Pictures taken by John Cuthbertson

Melksham Town and Corsham Town Vets before the County Cup Final 

(pictures courtesy of John Cuthbertson)

Both Your Sport Swindon and Corsham Town were filming the final on Friday night. To view the Your Sport Swindon Highlights on their website click on the link below or use the link from the your Sport Swindon page elsewhere on the League Website.

After Friday’s high tempo cup encounter both sides now turn their attention back to their quest for the league title with the two sides currently level on points at the top with VFC Devizes in a three-way battle for the championship crown in the Mid Wiltshire Division. All three are in action this coming week and, after picking up a few knocks on Friday night, both Melksham and Corsham will be hoping their players recover in time for this week’s important league encounters. On Monday night Corsham Town travel to Bradford-on-Avon looking to complete the league double over their opponents Bradford Town having won at the Southbank Ground 2-0 back in October. Meanwhile the following night Melksham Town return to Green lane for a league encounter with VFC Devizes and a match that could have a big say in the ultimate destiny of the league title race. When the two sides met at the InfiLED Stadium in April a solitary goal from Charlie Griffin gave Melksham the three points and another close game is expected.  There is also another game in the Mid Wiltshire Division on Monday night at Green Lane when Trowbridge Tigers meet Chippenham Yard Dogs.

In the North Wiltshire Division KMLC will look to move top of the table on Wednesday night when they take on Royal Wootton Bassett Town at the Gerard Buxton Ground, whilst on Tuesday AFC Swindon will look to pick up their first points of the season when they play the side just above them in the table, Swindon Rovers, at New College. it will not be easy though as Rovers won the first encounter between the sides 8-0.

Next Week's Fixtures 

13 June 2021