Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League
Archive - Season 2020-21 Round-ups
U18 Division
Week Commencing 7th September 2020
FA Youth Cup Roundup
Two sides from the Under 18 Division were in FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round action this week.

Chippenham Town had a comfortable passage into the First Qualifying Round with a 8-1 home success over Newent Town. It was very much the Dan Warre show as the striker, who is part of the Chippenham Town first team squad this season, hit 7 goals, Luca Robinson with the other Chippenham goal.  Chippenham will now be home to Slimbridge in the First Qualifying Round on Monday 21st September.

The other Under 18 side in action were Shrivenham who were away to Hampshire side Hartley Wintney who play in the Central Division of the Allied Counties Youth Football League. In a tight game it looked like Shrivenham could be heading out of the Cup as they trailed 1-0 with the clock running down but a goal in the final seconds from Taida Tendayi levelled things up at 1-1 and penalties were needed to settle the tie. Shrivenham held their neve to win the penalty shoot-out 4-2 and will now be away to Camberley Town, another side from the Allied Counties Youth League who this time play in the South Division, in the First Qualifying Round.

Chippenham Town and Shrivenham will be joined by Radstock Town in the First Qualifying Round. Radstock had a bye in the Preliminary Round and will be away to Bridgwater Town in the First Qualifying Round.

FA Youth Cup Results

Monday 7 September

Chippenham Town 8 Newent Town 1


Wednesday 9 September

Hartley Wintney 1 Shrivenham 1 (Shrivenham won 4-2 on pens)

Week Commencing 14th September 2020
Shrivenham Get Off To A Winning Start
The Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League returned this week with all last season’s top four sides involved in the two games that went ahead. On Monday night the division kicked off with the Chippenham derby between Chippenham Town and FC Chippenham in a game played behind closed doors given the National League status of Chippenham Town first team. When last season was brought to a premature end FC Chippenham had looked favourites to go on and lift the title having led the table with just one defeat in their opening ten fixtures. The nine wins they had racked up included a 3-1 win over their near neighbours and both teams are expected to again be involved in this season’s title race. As anticipated it was a close game on Monday night with both sides creating numerous chances with the two goalkeepers kept busy. However, both sides were to find the net just once, Ollie Crosby-Clarke put FC Chippenham ahead in the first half but a second half equaliser for Chippenham Town from Dylan Jones ensured the points were shared. The one blemish on the night was Chippenham Town Academy player Sam McFarlane sustaining a double fracture of his ankle and all from the Wiltshire Senior League wish Sam a speedy recovery from his injury.

On Thursday night the two sides who were sat in second and third place when last season was brought to an early end, Shrivenham and Royal Wootton Bassett Town, met in their opening fixture at Barrington Park. On the one occasion the sides met last season Shrivenham had won 4-2 at the Gerard Buxton Ground and it looked like they would be heading for another comfortable win when two goals from  Tyger Hall and a third from Kai Richardson put Shrivenham 3-0 up. However, in what turned out to be  great contest between two good sides, goals from Adam Jones and Tom Warren got Royal Wootton Bassett Town back into the match but there was insufficient time left to find the equaliser and fell to a 3-2 defeat. For Shrivenham a winning start and leadership of the table at the end of Week 1 but with the two Chippenham sides looking to be strong once again, with Radstock Town and Melksham Town also expected to be challenging for honours this season and Pewsey having some exciting youngsters, it already looks like the Under 18 Division could, like last season, be very competitive.                    

U18 Division Results

Monday 14 September

Chippenham Town 1 FC Chippenham 1


Thursday 17 September

Shrivenham 3 Royal W. Bassett Town 2

Week Commencing 21st September 2020
Under 18 Division Roundup
Midweek action involving our Under 18 sides started on Monday night when Chippenham Town entertained Slimbridge in a FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round match. Whilst Chippenham were on top for most of the game the goal which decided the tie did not come until the final minute of the match when Chippenham were awarded a penalty. Luca Robinson held his nerve to fire in the penalty which sent Chippenham through to the next round of this prestigious cup competition.  Chippenham will now be away to Odd Down, whose Under 18 team will comprise a sizeable proportion of the team playing for Odd Down Reserves in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League, in the Second Qualifying Round. 

Thursday night saw two more sides in FA Youth Cup action but both sides failed to progress to the next round. Shrivenham made the long journey along the M4 to Surrey to take on Camberley Town. When the two clubs first teams had met in the FA Vase on Saturday it had been Shrivenham who edged it by a solitary goal. However, on Thursday night Camberley’s U18 avenged that earlier defeat with a stunning second half performance which saw them score six unanswered goals to run  out 7-1 winners, after the two sides had tuned round at half time with the score level at 1-1, Beyazit Durdu with the Shrivenham goal.
The other side in FA Youth Cup action were Radstock Town who visited fellow Somerset side Bridgwater Town. In an entertaining game the game remained without a goal until the final 20 minutes, the fact that the game remained without a goal was mainly due to the efforts of Lucas Purnell in the Radstock goal who pulled off a string of saves to keep his side in the tie. In the end he was finally beaten from the penalty spot as Bridgwater went in front on 73 minutes. Radstock remained in the game but were finally killed off by a late second goal which saw Bridgwater progress to the Second Qualifying Round courtesy of a 2-0 win.

Two games in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League were played on Thursday night. Melksham Town and Pewsey Vale who met at the InfiLED Stadium were both playing their first league games of the season. In a fine first half showing from the home side they went in front when Jaiden Pearce netted from a Sam Dowell corner. Dowell then turned from provider to scorer as he headed past the Pewsey keeper following good build up play and cross into the box. Melksham then scored a third before the break, Cameron Pearce getting on the end of a ball in from Joseph Clarke following a free kick to make it 3-0 to the home side at the interval. Second half saw Melksham score one more, Billy Hawkins who controlled a pass from Lyndon Banfield and then placed a shot into the bottom corner of the net past the Pewsey keeper Matt Young, who was having an excellent game despite the score line, to complete a 4-0 win. The win took Melksham joint top of the early table as they joined Shrivenham on three points.

Also joining Shrivenham and Melksham at the top are Royal Wootton Bassett Town who bounced back from last week’s narrow defeat at Shrivenham with a win against Chippenham Town, who were playing their second game in four days. When the two sides had met last season, Royal Wootton Bassett Town had edged it by the odd goal in five and once again the fixture saw another high scoring and tight game. Alex Stephenson opened the scoring for Royal Wootton Bassett Town, and they extended their lead when Nathanial Bell made it 2-0 to the home side. Chippenham Town pulled one back before the break and then drew level with a second goal after the restart. Nathanial Bell then restored the lead for Royal Wootton Bassett Town with his second of the game only for Chippenham to restore parity once again with their third goal. The match was finally settled in the home side’s favour when Nathanial Bell completed an impressive a hat-trick to make the final score 4-3 to Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Chippenham’s scorers on the night were Spencer Dymond-Hall, Eduardo Silva and Mekhi Duncan.

Results


Monday 21 September

FA Youth Cup

Chippenham Town 1 Slimbridge 0


Thursday 24 September

FA Youth Cup

Bridgwater Town 2 Radstock Town 0

Cambereley Town 7 Shrivenham 1


U18 Division

Melksham Town 4 Pewsey Vale 0

Royal W. Bassett Town 4 Chippenham Town 3

Week Commencing 28th September 2020
Melksham Go Top of U18 Division
There were three games in the Under 18 Floodlight Division this week.  Chippenham Town and Shrivenham got things underway on Monday night at Hardenhuish in a match between two sides who had been challenging for honours last season when matters had been brought to a premature end. Shrivenham had opened their season with a win against Royal Wootton Bassett Town in the first week of the U18 season whilst Chippenham had lost to Bassett and drawn with neighbours FC Chippenham. The first half saw the two sides fail to create many clear-cut chances. The one-time Chippenham did manage to get the ball in the net the goal was disallowed for offside and it remained 0-0 at the break. The deadlock was finally broken in the second half following a penalty for the visitors. After being denied an initial penalty, just seconds later the Shrivenham appeals for another penalty this time registered with the referee who pointed to the spot. Tyger Hall’s initial spot kick was saved by the Chippenham keeper Finley Griffiths, but Hall followed up the rebound to tuck it under Griffiths into the net to make it 1-0 to the visitors. Chippenham got back on level terms following neat build up play down the left and a ball into Dylan Jones who controlled the ball well, turned his marker in the same movement and slotted the ball into the far left bottom corner of the net for his second of the season. Just as it looked like it would end in a draw a cross from the right in the last minute was bundled in by Josh Timbrell to make it 2-1 to Chippenham. A melee followed the Chippenham goal celebrations which saw Shrivenham have a player sent-off and there was then no time for the ten men to get back in the game as they went down to their first defeat of the season .

Two games took place on Thursday night in difficult conditions as Storm Alex blew in. The first saw New College get their season started with a trip to Melksham Town who had opened their own season a week earlier with a 4-0 win over Pewsey Vale. The one game between the two sides 12 months ago had seen the two sides share the points after a 1-1 draw but there was to be no repeat this season with the young Melksham side putting in an impressive display to send a marker to the rest of the division that they are serious contenders to retain the title they won back in 2018-19, the last completed season of the Under 18 Division. On top from the start Melksham led 3-0 at the break and it could have been more as they also hit the bar and the post. They remained on top after the break and added two further goals to run out 5-1 winners on the night. Sam Dowell led the way as he bagged a brace, with the other goals coming from Olly Clarke, Sam Alford and Reuben Rule. Substitute Agonsuwin Rai with the consolation goal for New College. The win took Melksham top of the early league table.

There was late drama in the other game on Thursday night at Radstock Town’s Southfields Recreation Ground when home goalkeeper Lucas Purnell scored a last gasp equaliser to level matters up at 2-2. Visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Town had twice led through goals from Michael Gilder having been initially pegged back through a Lewis Wheeler goal for Radstock. The point for Royal Wootton Bassett saw them move joint second in the table with Chippenham Town.

Results - Under 18 Division


Monday 28 September

Chippenham Town 2 Shrivenham 1


Thursday 1 October

Melksham Town 5 New College 1

Radstock Town 2 Royal W. Bassett Town 2

Week Commencing 5th October 2020
Melksham Win Close Contest

Melksham Town U18 ahead of last night's narrow 2-1 win against Royal Wootton Bassett Town

League leaders Melksham Town had started the season with two comfortable wins against Pewsey Vale and New College but knew that Thursday night’s visit from Royal Wootton Bassett Town would be their sternest test so far this season and so it proved. In the end Melksham manager Colby Cain had goalkeeper Zak Beard to thank for his side maintaining their 100% winning start to the season after his stunning one-handed save from a James Johnson strike five minutes from time denied Royal Wootton Bassett Town a late equaliser in an entertaining game. 

Both sides were comfortable in possession from the off and the first 15 minutes saw the two sides looking to create chances with their passing game but without really creating any clear openings. The first real chance of the game fell to the home side Melksham on 19 minutes and it came from a free kick on the edge of the box. The free kick was taken by Rio Young, but his powerful shot was deflected over the bar by the Royal Wootton Bassett Town wall. The visitors first real shot on goal came three minutes later when Adam Jones created an opportunity for himself but saw his strike from outside the box go wide of the right-hand post. A minute later the best chance of the game so far fell to Royal Wootton Bassett’s Michael Gilder, but his powerful shot was well parried away by Melksham keeper Beard, and then cleared for a corner by the Melksham defence. However, it was not long after that Beard was beaten for the one and only time in the game. It came from a stunning strike from a set piece following a foul on Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s Tomas Warren, who was starting to cause the Melksham defence problems with his pace. The free kick, 25 yards out just to the right-hand side of the box, saw Adam Jones step up and fire in a superb strike that just eluded the fingertips of Beard and go in off the underside of the crossbar to make it 1-0 to Royal Wootton Bassett Town. The Melksham keeper was now becoming the busier of the two keepers. Another shot from distance, this time from the influential Gilder, was held at the second attempt by Beard and the Melksham keeper then turned over the bar another free kick from Jones, this time from slightly further out. It was not all one-way traffic though as Melksham continued to have their fair share of the possession without being able to create any clear-cut chances.  It was the visitors who would go close to adding to their lead just before the break. James Johnson headed over from a free kick from Nathanial Bell and then Tomas Warren had two chances right at the end of the half. Firstly he fired well over after Alex Stephenson intercepted the ball on the edge of the Melksham box and put Warren through and then the striker hit the crossbar with a powerful shot which bounced back into the Melksham six-yard box and was cleared to safety. A let off for the league leaders who went into the break happy to only be trailing by the one goal.

It was a different story after the break though as Melksham came out of the blocks quickly and were back on level terms within a couple of minutes of the re-start. Again, it was another well executed strike, this time from Melksham’s Cameron Pearce, who fired in with a shot from the edge of the box to make it 1-1. The goal brought confidence to the Melksham Town side who now had the upper hand and started to cause the visitors problems at the back.  On 53 minutes the Royal Wootton Bassett Town defence failed to clear their lines and as the ball broke to the home side a foul was committed just inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Captain Aron Byfield took the responsibility for the spot kick and made no mistake to put Melksham in front for the first time in the game. Having substituted Tomas Warren at half time, the visitors had lost half of their pacy front line and Royal Wootton Bassett Town found they were no longer exerting the same pressure on the Melksham defence as they had in the first half. It took until the 62nd minute for their first real chance of the half, winning back possession in midfield Nathanial Bell crossed in for James Johnson but the Melksham defence were quickly on to him and he was not able to get his shot away. At the other end Melksham went close to extending their lead when Olly Clarke disposed Adam Jones in midfield but fired his shot wide of the goal. The game started to open up as legs tired and Royal Wootton Bassett Town went close to an equaliser on 77 minutes when Harry Farrow shot just wide with a good chance for the visitors. The visitors were now pushing hard for the equaliser and the game defining moment came five minutes from time when the ball broke to Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s James Johnson on the edge of the box and his first time powerful shot was acrobatically turned round the post by Zak Beard in the Melksham goal for what turned out to be a match winning save for his side. A great game of football played in a sporting manner by both sides all evening. The third straight win for Melksham saw them open up a three-point lead at the top of the table.
Shrivenham moved up into second spot behind Melksham with a convincing 6-1 home win over Pewsey Vale. Kieran Sutton bagged a brace for the home side and there were further goals from James Hirst, Bilal Durdu, Joe Langdon and Tyger Hall, whose fourth goal of the season made him the early leading scorer in the division, Nathan Parfitt with the Pewsey Vale goal. Shrivenham’s win sets up nicely next week’s top of the table clash which sees Melksham Town visit Barrington Park.
In the FA Youth Cup Second Round Qualifying two sides from the Under 18 Division were in action on Thursday night. Radstock Town joined Chippenham Town in the round following their reprieve after their opponents in the last round Bridgwater Town were ejected from the competition as a result of an administration error that caused them to field three unregistered players in the 2-0 win against Radstock in the First Qualifying Round on 24th September. Unfortunately for Radstock they were unable to take advantage of the second chance and were beaten 6-2 by a strong Tuffley Rovers side at Glevum Park.
 
The other game saw Chippenham Town make the short journey to the Lew Hill Memorial Stadium for their Second Qualifying Round tie against an Odd Down side whose side make up a good proportion of the Odd Down Reserves side in our Premier Division. In a close contest the tie was settled by a solitary Dan Warre second half goal for Chippenham with the Chippenham defence then ensuring the home side could not get back on level terms. Warre certainly likes this competition having scored seven in an earlier round. Chippenham will now be home to Reading City in the Third Qualifying Round after last night’s win with the fixture scheduled to take place in the week commencing 19th October.

Results

Thursday 8 October 2020


Under 18 Floodlight Division

Melksham T 2 Royal W. Bassett T 1

Shrivenham 6 Pewsey Vale 1


FA Youth Cup

Odd Down 0 Chippenham Town 1

Tuffley Rovers 6 Radstock Town 2

Week Commencing 12th October 2020
Shrivenham Defeat Melksham

Shrivenham who beat Melksham Town 2-1 last night to join their opponents at the top of the table (picture courtesy of Mike Wray)

League leaders Melksham Town travelled to Shrivenham on Thursday night looking to defend the U18 Division’s only 100% winning record after three straight wins to start the season. Opponents Shrivenham had suffered just one defeat, that at the hands of Chippenham Town, and a win for them would send them level with Melksham at the top of table.  It was the home side Shrivenham who created the better early chances but their strikers fired a couple of early shots over the top of the Melksham goal without troubling Melksham keeper Zak Beard.  Kieron Sutton then went close for Shrivenham, getting on the end of a Tyger Hall free kick, but his shot also went over the bar. However, despite Shrivenham creating the early opportunities, it was the visitors who were to go in front. Melksham's Olly Clarke gained possession from Shrivenham in his own half and sent a quick long defence splitting pass to the speedy Cameron Pearce whose pace saw him get beyond the Shrivenham defence, the keeper came rushing out but missed his attempted clearance allowing Pearce to run on and slot the ball  calmly into the empty net to make it 1-0 to Melksham. Shrivenham got themselves back on level terms with a similar type of goal. A long ball over the top saw Tyger Hall get behind the Melksham back line and this time it was Melksham keeper  Beard who missed his attempted clearance and Tyger Hall had the easy chance to tap the ball into the empty net for his fifth of the season. Shrivenham then went close to taking the lead with a header that went just over the bar and it remained 1-1 at the break. The third goal of the night resulted from yet another excellent long ball, this time the ball over the top seeing Bilal Durdu get beyond the Melksham defence. Despite a heavy first touch, he stretched to just reach the ball ahead of the advancing Beard to make it 2-1 to Shrivenham. It was Shrivenham who continued to create the better chances with Durdu going close to a second when his low shot from the left went just round the right hand post. A deflected Tyger Hall shot could also have created problems but was well dealt with by Zak Beard in the Melksham goal and there was to be no further goals on the night as Shrivenham secured a 2-1 win that saw them move level with Melksham at the top. With just FC Chippenham and Radstock Town the only unbeaten sides now, but with both having dropped points in their opening fixtures, and with the top sides continuing to take points off each other, it is certainly gearing up to be a tight and exciting Under 18 Division again this season. This game was covered by Your Sport Swindon and highlights of the game and the post-match manager interviews can be seen by clicking on the links below or by the links on the Your Sport Swindon page that can be accessed from the main menu.
There was another tight match involving two of the fancied sides at Radstock Town where Chippenham Town were the visitors. Despite missing a golden chance early in in the game the home side Radstock Town went in front after five minutes with a goal from Freddie Blacker. Chippenham Town got themselves back on level terms after 14 minutes, Harrison Dunsden with his first goal in the league this season. Radstock Town restored their one goal advantage on 27 minutes, when Toby Vining scored from a Blacker corner. Radstock did not hold the lead for very long though as Ben Wall levelled things up a minute later with what turned out to be the last goal of the night. However,  this was not the end of the evenings drama. A fortnight ago, in Radstock’s last league game against Royal Wootton Bassett Town, goalkeeper Lucas Purnell had been the hero with a late equaliser from a corner. Against Chippenham he was once again the Radstock hero, saving a penalty ten minutes from time to ensure that his side secured a point and maintained their unbeaten record in the league.

The final game on Thursday night saw FC Chippenham secure their first win of the season, with an impressive 8-0 away win at New College. Fabian Stanislas led the way with a hat-trick, Louie Lang and Archie Newman both netted twice and the other goal came courtesy of Charlie Hill, as last season's leaders at the time the season was brought to an early close show their intentions of once again being involved in the title race.

Finally, just a quick note to say that Calne Town have withdrawn their Under 18 side from the league for this season due to a lack of players, leaving the division with eight teams. Hopefully Calne can re-group and return to the Under 18 Division next season.

Results

Thursday 15 October 2020

Under 18 Floodlight Division

New College 0 FC Chippenham 8

Radstock Town 2 Chippenham Town 2

Shrivenham 2 Melksham Town 1

Week Commencing 19th October 2020
FC Chippenham Remain Unbeaten
There were just two games in the Under 18 Division this week with Chippenham Town scheduled to have played in the FA Youth Cup. However, that Youth Cup Third Round Qualifying tie was postponed as a precaution due to Covid-19 concerns in the opponent club, Reading City and the game has now been re-scheduled for next Thursday, 29th October.

Two games were played in the league with the key match at the top end of the table being Shrivenham’s visit to Stanley Park to play unbeaten FC Chippenham. It was expected to be a tight affair between two of the anticipated title challengers and it proved to be just so. There were to be no goals in the first half but both sides created good chances, with Shrivenham having the better opportunities but not making them count with the closest being a header from a free kick which was well saved by the substitute FC Chippenham keeper James Larvin. Both sides also had a number of shots from distance that did not trouble either keeper, but Larvin the FC Chippenham keeper did well to save another shot from a Shrivenham free kick and the game remained without a goal at half time. The deadlock was eventually broken from a set piece routine, Fabian Stanislas rising unchallenged to head in from a corner to put FC Chippenham 1-0 to the good. Shrivenham thought they were back on level terms only to see the referee disallow the goal as both sides lined up for the restart. Taida Tendayi disposed an FC Chippenham forward just outside his own penalty area and immediately hit a defence splitting pass which put Kieran Sutton clear of the FC Chippenham and after his initial shot was saved he followed up to fire into the net. Both sides then returned to the halfway line as if a goal only for the officials to indicate that the tackle by Tendayi had been a foul and the goal struck off. After that Shrivenham went close of a couple of occasions to getting an equaliser, the closest they came being a shot form outside the box which came back off the cross bar, but that equaliser proved elusive and FC Chippenham held on to take the three points. The win lifted them to within two points of the leadership of the division with two games in hand over Shrivenham and one over Melksham who are their next scheduled opponents this coming Thursday. Your Sport Swindon were at the game and their highlight’s can be viewed on their website either using the link below or from the link on the Your Sport Swindon page on the website which can be accessed from the main menu.
The other game on Thursday night was at Pewsey Vale where Radstock Town were the visitors. With their first team going so well in the Premier Division, it was the turn of the Under 18 side to emulate their senior side with an impressive 5-2 win over previously unbeaten Radstock Town.  After scoring two for the senior side in Pewsey’s last league game, Rory England was again on the score sheet with one of his sides goals in this Under 18 fixture, Oliver Ward and Nathan Parfitt both scoring twice for the home side as they picked up their first points of the season in the Under 18 Division. Joshua Singtothong and Lewis Wheeler, the latter with his second of the season, were on target for visitors Radstock Town. Pewsey Vale moved above Radstock in the table to 6th spot as a result of the win.

Results

Thursday 22 October 2020

Under 18 Floodlight Division

FC Chippenham 1 Shrivenham 0

Pewsey Vale 5 Radstock Town 2

Week Commencing 26th October 2020
Good Night All Round in Chippenham
With half-term there was limited action this week in the Under 18 Division with just the one league game played. In addition, Chippenham Town were involved in FA Youth Cup action in their re-arranged Third Qualifying Round tie against Reading City. In what turned out to be a night of drama in the most prestigious of Youth competitions, Chippenham went close to going ahead early on when Landon Golding hit the cross bar on 11 minutes following a free kick. It was then the turn of the visitors to also hit the woodwork, doing so twice in succession on the 20th minute mark as both sides created early chances. The deadlock was finally broken five minutes from half time when a Reading City free kick for a foul came back off the crossbar and Bubacarr Touray tucked away the rebound to make it 1-0 to the visitors at the interval. Chippenham had a golden chance to get back on level terms three minutes after the break when they were awarded a penalty, but unfortunately for the home side the penalty was saved. However, Chippenham did not have t wait too long for that equaliser and it was the player who seems to love this competition who scored the all important goal, as Dan Warre tucked away his ninth in four FA Youth Cup games this season. Despite both sides creating chances, none were taken, and penalties were required to decide the tie. It looked bleak for Chippenham when they missed both of their first two penalties, making three missed on the night at that stage. However, Reading missed their second and fourth kicks and after five penalties each the score was level at three apiece. Both sides then missed their next kick but Chippenham made sure of their seventh spot kick whilst Reading’s missed theirs and it was Chippenham who progress to the next round on a night of high drama at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium. Chippenham will now be away to Eastleigh in the First Round with the winners of that tie then set to meet either Leyton Orient or Woking in the Second Round which has already been drawn.

The one league game was at the top of the table and was across town from the FA Youth Cup game, with last year’s leading side FC Chippenham looking to head the table for the first time this season with a win against Melksham Town who started the evening as the league leaders. A goal from Archie Newman, with his third of the season, put FC Chippenham ahead at Stanley Park and two further goals from Oliver Crosby-Clarke, who also moved onto three for the season, ensured all three points went the way of FC Chippenham. FC Chippenham moved above Melksham at the top of the division as a result of the win and are now a point ahead of both Melksham and Shrivenham having played one game less than their rivals. After starting with three straight wins, Melksham Town have now lost their last two and will look to return to winning ways at Radstock Town next Thursday.

Results

Thursday 29 October 2020

Under 18 Floodlight Division

FC Chippenham 3 Melksham Town 0


FA Youth Cup Third Qualifying Round

Chippenham Town 1 Reading City 1

(Chippenham won 4-3 on penalties)

Week Commencing 2nd November 2020
Historic Night For Chippenham Town
As the shutters temporarily came down on the 2020-21 Season, but hopefully only for a month, two games involving sides in the Under 18 Division were brought forward from Thursday to beat the curfew, one a league fixture and one in the FA Youth Cup.

The one league game was at Radstock Town where Melksham Town were the visitors which, by a quirk of fate, had been the last league fixture in the U18 Division in Season 2019-20 before the first lockdown back in March. That night Radstock had edged it by the odd goal in five and, whilst they won again, it was a lot more convincing this time round as Radstock ran out 4-0 winners on the night. A hat-trick from Ben Smith and one from defender Toby Vining with his second of the season did the damage as Radstock picked up their first league win of the season and moved up to fifth place in the table. For Melksham Town that is now three straight defeats after starting the season with three victories and they will be hoping to return to winning ways when the action restarts in December. 

It is Chippenham Town who are the headline makers ahead of "Lockdown 2" as Joe Sharples side made it through to the Second Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup after an extra-time win over Eastleigh. Chippenham were playing in the First Round Proper for the first time in their history and their history making run continues after another night of drama. The first half an hour against Eastleigh saw both sides weighing each other up with limited clear-cut chances being created as both sides defended well against each other. The deadlock was finally broken on 38 minutes by a player who is really enjoying this competition this season. A ball over the top of the Eastleigh defence saw Dan Warre get behind the Eastleigh back line, round the keeper and fire into the net to make it 1-0 to Chippenham and take his personal tally in the competition into double figures with his tenth FA Youth Cup goal in five games. 
Chippenham then extended their lead a minute before the half time interval. A break down the left saw the ball fall to Dan Warre just outside the six-yard box, his shot was saved by the Eastleigh keeper but the ball fell to Harrison Thomas whose initial shot was blocked on the line by an Eastleigh defender but the ball rebounded to Thomas he made no mistake with his second shot to make it 2-0 at the break. Eastleigh got themselves back into the game on 64 minutes with a stunning strike from the left hand side of the box by Drew Ecott-Young after he ran into the box beating a Chippenham defender before firing in an unstoppable shot into the top far corner of the net. Chippenham restored their two goal advantage on 70 minutes when a defensive clearance from Landon Golding found Chippenham substitute Corey Hurford who with his first touch of the game powered past both Eastleigh centre backs and, as the Eastleigh keeper came running out, a sublime chip from Hurford saw him score within a minute of coming on to make it 3-1 to Chippenham. Chippenham defended well for the next fifteen minutes and with just five minutes remaining must have thought they were safely through to the next round with a two-goal cushion. However, Eastleigh were given a lifeline four minutes from time when a cross from the left somehow found its way to Ewan Haylor at the far post who fired in to make it 3-2. There was still time for more drama with an equaliser deep into injury time for Eastleigh. Again, it came from a ball into the Chippenham box which was not dealt with, this time the ball falling to Lyle Simpson who slotted in to make it 3-3. The referee then blew to indicate the ninety minutes was up with both sides appearing to prepare for a penalty shoot out until the referee indicated that in the FA Youth Cup there was still extra-time before any penalties. Neither side were able to find the net in the first period of extra-time but midway through the second period Chippenham once again went in front, yet again it was substitute Corey Hurford who was the scorer with a fine individual goal. Picking the ball up from a throw-in midway in the opponents half ,Hurford went on mazy run beating four defenders before firing in at the near post to make it 4-3 with what proved to be the winning goal on the night as Chippenham held out for the remaining minutes to secure a historic Second Round place in the most prestigious of Youth competitions. Well done to manager Joe Sharples and his team on this excellent win and run in the FA Youth Cup.

The whole game, including extra-time, can be viewed on Eastleigh’s YouTube channel which can be accessed using the link below:


Chippenham Town will now be home to either Leyton Orient or Woking in the Second Round Proper. The full Second Round draw, which includes some big names in English football such as Sunderland, Portsmouth and Ipswich Town, is shown below:

FA Youth Cup
Second Round Proper

Altrincham v Peterborough United
Basford United v Grimsby Town
Burton Albion or Worcester City v Bugbrooke St Michaels or Mansfield Town
Bury Town or AFC Sudbury v Oxford United or AFC Wimbledon
Cambridge United v Guiseley
Carlisle United v Bradford City
Chelmsford City v Ipswich Town
Chippenham Town v L. Orient or Woking
Dorking Wanderers v Colchester United
Exeter City v Cheltenham Town
Fleetwood Town v Walsall
Gillingham v Charlton Athletic
Hull City v Doncaster Rovers
Metropolitan Police v Swindon Town
Milton Keynes Dons v Eastbourne Borough or K Sports
Morecombe or AFC Fylde v Sunderland
Newport County v Brokenhurst
Oldham Athletic v Lincoln City
Portsmouth v Bromley or Bedfont Sports 
Salford City v Tranmere Rovers or Hyde Utd
Sutton Utd v Bristol Rovers or Camberley T
Wigan Athletic v Irlam or Notts County

Results

Wednesday 4 November 2020


Under 18 Floodlight Division

Radstock Town 4 Melksham Town 0


FA Youth Cup First Round Proper

Eastleigh 3 Chippenham Town 4 (aet)


Week Commencing 7th December 2020
Entertaining 0-0 Draw
The Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League restarted after lockdown on Thursday evening, although in the end just two of the scheduled four games were played, one involving sides at the top end of the table and the other involving the two sides at the bottom. Whilst most teams were inactive during lockdown, one game did go ahead, and it saw Chippenham Town’s excellent run in the FA Youth Cup finally come to an end. In the Second Round Proper played on Wednesday 18th November they were well beaten by a very strong Woking side at Hardenhuish, 7-0 the final score. A disappointing end but credit to Chippenham for their historic run which had taken them the furthest they have ever been in this prestigious competition.

On Thursday night in the league the game involving the sides at the top end of the table saw Shrivenham entertain a young Radstock Town side whose starting eleven will all still be able to play in the Under 18 Division next season. The result at the end of the evening was a rare 0-0 draw at this level, although the game was certainly not a dull affair with numerous chances at both ends, particularly in the first half with both goalkeepers, Lucas Purnell and Matthew Goldfinch, having plenty to do.  Lucas Purnell in the Radstock Town goal was the busier of the two keepers on the night and his performance ensured his side left Barrington Park with a point. That said, it was Radstock who had the better early chances, and it was they who should have gone ahead when a ball cut back from the right from Tom Ricketts found Ben Smith in the six-yard box, but a slight hesitation on his part allowed Shrivenham defender Joe Langdon to make a superb tackle and then head the ball clear after the initial shot ricocheted towards the goal. Radstock’s Freddie Blacker then fired just over after Shrivenham failed to clear their lines. At the other end Purnell pulled off the first of a number of impressive saves when he palmed away a shot from the right-hand side of the 18-yard box from Kieran Sutton. Sutton did then manage to beat Purnell with a shot from a similar position, this time the shot was hit hard and low, but fortunately for Radstock the ball rebounded back off the post and was cleared. Purnell then twice saved well to deny Shrivenham that opening goal. The best chance of an entertaining half fell to the U18 Division’s leading scorer Tyger Hall when a ball from the right from Sutton found the Shrivenham striker with what looked like a simple tap in to break the deadlock but, as happened earlier at the other end, a slight hesitation and mis-control allowed the combination of keeper Purnell and a covering defender Alfie Williams to clear and it remained 0-0.The Radstock keeper was at it again shortly after with what was his best save of the game when a powerful shot from Sutton was superbly turned over the bar to maintain parity. At the other end it was then Radstock’s turn to hit the goal frame and again the chance fell to Ben Smith. His initial shot was well saved by the Shrivenham keeper Matthew Goldfinch and when the rebound fell to Smith his powerful shot came back off the post and was cleared. 

After the break Shrivenham once gain had the better chances. Tyger Hall should have done better with a header and Taida Tendayi headed just wide from a free kick from the left and Purnell denied substitute Beyazit Durdu when he scrambled and stretched to turn away a low shot that was heading into the far corner of the net. It remained 0-0 at the final whistle and the points were shared. The point saw Shrivenham move level on points with FC Chippenham at the top of the table but having played two games more. Radstock have now lost just one of their opening five games but need to start turning the draws into victories if they are to challenge for the title this season. Despite the lack of goals a thoroughly entertaining game that you can catch on the excellent Your Sport Swindon coverage of the game which can be found using the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the website.
In the other game Pewsey Vale went in search of their second win of the season when they entertained New College who were without a point following their opening two fixtures. New College finally got off the mark at the third attempt, running out 4-0 winners on the night thanks to goals from Samuel Morse, Oliver Reynolds and two from substitute Samuel Bonsu. The win saw New College move level on points with Pewsey with both sides a point behind Royal Wootton Bassett Town in sixth spot..

Results

Thursday 10 December 2020

Under 18 Floodlight Division

Melksham Town v Chippenham Town - Postponed

Pewsey Vale 0 New College 4

Royal W. Bassett Town v FC Chippenham - Postponed

Shrivenham 0 Radstock Town 0

15 March 2021 - Season Restart
Notice Regarding Next Season

With the Under 18 Division set to get underway again at the beginning of April and fixtures scheduled until the end of the season, thoughts are now also turning to next season, Season 2021-22.


Ideally we would like to increase numbers in the U18 category next season to enable us to return to regionalised divisions thus reducing travel distances and costs for all clubs, whilst maintaining a similar number of fixtures for the clubs. The league is open to all clubs with floodlights who reside within the county of Wiltshire or within 20 miles of the Wiltshire County boundary. We are aware that there are a number of clubs with the appropriate facilities in Wiltshire and the surrounding borders who do not currently play in our midweek league and they may wish to consider entering our competition for next season.


Any clubs interested in joining the league should either contact League Secretary Jim Thorn by email, jim.thorn@wiltshireseniorleague.co.uk , for further information or download an application form from our page on FA Full-Time. 

Covid-19 has caused two extremely interrupted seasons for the U18’s and disrupted the preparation of these players for adult football. At the request some of our existing U18 clubs, we are considering also running an U20’s Division next season in addition to the U18 Division. This would give the current players, who will be too old for the U.18’s next season, another season or two to develop before going into senior / men’s football and hopefully reduce the numbers that may drop out of football. Our existing U18 clubs have been asked for their thoughts on this matter and again, any clubs with the appropriate facilities in Wiltshire and the surrounding borders who would be interested in a midweek U20 league should contact League Secretary Jim Thorn by email, jim.thorn@wiltshireseniorleague.co.uk .

Week Commencing 5th April 2021
Shrivenham Go Clear At Top

The Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League returned to action on Thursday with a full programme of games which included two matches involving the top four sides.


Ahead of the night’s action two sides, FC Chippenham and Shrivenham, headed the league table on 10 points with Melksham Town one point behind in third spot and Chippenham Town a point below Melksham in fourth place. FC Chippenham went into their derby game against Chippenham Town defending the division’s only unbeaten record. When the sides had met back in September it had been a close affair with the two sides sharing the points following a 1-1 draw. On this occasion though, it was Chippenham Town who had the better of things, despite a stunning goal from Ben Patey for FC Chippenham, goals from Bonsa Teshom, a Harrison Thomas penalty an own goal gave the Town side all three points in a 3-1 win that ended FC Chippenham’s unbeaten record. The win lifted Chippenham Town above their near neighbours into second spot in the table, although they have played one game more.


The other joint leaders at the start of the night, Shrivenham, faced a tough looking trip to Melksham Town who sat just below them in the table. The first meeting between the two sides back in October at Barrington Park had seen Shrivenham edge it 2-1 in a tight contest and it was shaping up to be yet another close game on Thursday night with the two sides turning round at the break still looking for their first goal of the night. Both sides had created a number of chances, with the best of the first half falling to the home side when a header from a corner was well saved by the Shrivenham keeper and the resulting rebound then fired over the bar when a goal looked likely.


The deadlock was finally broken after the break, a ball over the top finding Kai Richardson on the left hand side of the penalty area who fired in under the body of the Melksham keeper to make it 1-0 to Shrivenham. After that it became the Tyger Hall show, as the division’s leading scorer showed what a talented player he is. The striker made it 2-0 to Shrivenham with a superb volley. A long ball from midfield dropped over his head and Hall stretched hitting it first time into the net giving the keeper no chance. The points were finally secured when Shrivenham, despite strong appeals for a penalty, were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the box in a central position. Tyger Hall stepped up to take the kick and curled a superb shot round the three-man wall into the corner of the net to make it 3-0 and celebrated his seventh goal of the season. Melksham went close to pulling a goal back when an Olly Clarke shot went just wide of the post. The 3-0-win lifted Shrivenham two points clear at the top of table at the half-way stage in their fixtures, having played one more game than second placed Chippenham Town and two more than FC Chippenham. Melksham slipped to fourth place following the defeat, but it remains a tight competitive division that has shown already that all the teams on their night are capable of beating each other. Your Sport Swindon were at the game on their highlights can be viewed by clicking on the link below or the relevant link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the league website.

All of Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s four opening games ahead of the visit of Radstock Town had been close affairs, either ending in a draw or being settled by a single goal. This included the first meeting between Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Radstock back at the beginning of October when Radstock goalkeeper Lucas Purnell had scored a late equaliser from a corner in a 2-2 draw. Thursday night’s encounter was yet another close game. Tom Ellis-Ricketts put the visitors Radstock ahead with a shot from the left-hand side of the penalty area, but the visitors were not in front for long as Rhys Farrow fired home an equaliser soon after, the goal came after a scramble in the six-yard box after a Royal Wootton Bassett Town free kick was not cleared. The teams turned round with the score 1-1 at the break. In the second half, Radstock had the better of things and should really have come away with all three points but, despite chances at both ends, it remained 1-1 at the final whistle and the points were shared for the second time this season.

The final fixture of the night saw the two sides who started the evening at the bottom of the table, New College and Pewsey Vale, involved in a nine-goal entertaining affair at Swindon Supermarine with the home side New College edging it in the end by the odd goal as they completed a league double over their opponents. Both Rajib Malla and Samuel Morse scored twice and the other New College goal was scored by Zachary Snelham. On target for Pewsey Vale were Harry Womersley (2), Archie Tooth and Cameron Hoyle who all scored for the first time this season in the U18 Floodlit League.


Results

Thursday 8 April 2021

FC Chippenham 1 Chippenham Town 3

Melksham Town 0 Shrivenham 3

New College 5 Pewsey Vale 4

Royal W. Bassett Town 1 Radstock Town 1

Week Commencing 12th April 2021
Chippenham Town Go Joint Top

This week’s games in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print commenced on Monday night when Pewsey Vale entertained Royal Wootton Bassett Town. All of Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s opening five fixtures had been close run affairs, either ending in draws or being decided by one goal, and this game was no different. Zane Pinnock opened the scoring putting the visitors ahead before Michael Gilder extended the lead. George Allen pulled one back for home side Pewsey Vale, but James Johnson restored the visitors two goal advantage. Harry Womersley then scored a second for Pewsey Vale to give the home side hope of salvaging a point but despite creating chances that was the end of the scoring on the night and Royal Wootton Bassett Town secured their second win of the season.

 

The second game of the week in the Division took place on Wednesday evening where Melksham Town were looking to end a barren run. Having started the season with three impressive wins, Colby Cain’s side had suffered four straight defeats including one against Wednesday evening’s opponents Radstock Town. Unfortunately for Melksham the run of defeats continues as a solitary goal from Lyndon Banfield was all they could muster on the night whilst visitors Radstock Town scored four against them for the second time this season in what manager Ian Lanning described as their best performance of the season. On target for Radstock were Freddie Blacker, Kian Kearn, Toby Vining and George Rowe. The win saw Radstock move above Melksham into fourth spot in the table.


Royal Wootton Bassett Town were in action for the second time this week on Thursday night with league leaders Shrivenham the visitors to the Gerard Buxton Ground. Once again they were involved in another close encounter. Joe Kemp opened the scoring putting the league leaders ahead. However, parity was restored from the penalty spot after 18 minutes, Thomas Pitt putting away the spot kick for Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Six minutes later the home side went in front, Seb Smith heading in to make it 2-1 which remained the score at the break. The second half saw the visitors push hard for an equaliser in what was turning into a very entertaining game of football. There were chances at both ends before a cross into the box was not dealt with by the home sides defence and former Royal Wootton Bassett Town player Taida Tendayi headed his side back on level terms. Both sides went in search of a winner and it looked like Shrivenham would leave the Gerard Buxton Ground with all three points when a cross from the left was met first time on the edge of the box by Bilal Durdu with a superb volley that put the visitors ahead for the second time on the night. Just as it looked like Shrivenham would retain sole leadership of the division, a free kick from Adam Jones to the far side of the box two minutes from time was headed back across the six-yard box where James Johnson was ideally placed to head home for his second goal of the week to make it 3-3. In the closing minutes both sides tried to push forward for a winner but that was to be the end of the scoring on the night, and they had to settle for a point apiece. Results elsewhere meant Shrivenham now share top spot in the table and Royal Wootton Bassett Town remain in joint fifth place in what is a very tight Under 18 league table with just five points separating the top six sides. Royal Wootton Bassett Town recorded highlights of the game which have been published by Your Sport Swindon. Use either the link below or the link from the Your Sport Swindon page on our website to watch the highlights.

The new joint leaders of the Division are Chippenham Town who picked up their biggest league win of the season, defeating New College 8-2 in a game switched to Swindon Supermarine as a result of co-operation between the two clubs. With Chippenham having won 6-1 against the same opponents just prior to lockdown the win completed a league double over their opponents. Jake Angell fired a hat-trick for the new league leaders, there was a fourth of the season for Dylan Jones, with the other goals coming from Luca Robinson, David Moor-Bardell, Sam Hughes and Ethan Witchell. The two in reply for New College were scored by Guiherme Vecci Rosa and Ari Filho. Chippenham are now on 14 points, the same as Shrivenham, with Chippenham Town having played one game less, whilst FC Chippenham with games in hand on both the leaders sit four points behind level on points with Radstock Town.

Results

Monday 12th April 2021

Pewsey Vale 2 Royal W. Bassett Town 3

 

Wednesday 14th April 2021

Melksham Town 1 Radstock Town 4

 

Thursday 15th April 2021

Chippenham Town 8 New College 2

FC Chippenham v Pewsey Vale - Postponed

Royal W. Bassett Town 3 Shrivenham 3

Week Commencing 19th April 2021
Shrivenham Back Level At Top

The Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Senior League continues to be a wide-open competition with every side on their day seemingly capable of beating anyone. This week’s games started on Monday night at Pewsey with Pewsey Vale entertaining Melksham Town. Whilst Pewsey had lost all three of their games since the re-start after lockdown, all three games had been lost only by a one goal margin. Opponents Melksham meanwhile went into the game on the back of a poor run of form that had seen them lose five games on the bounce after a great start to the season. In a tight affair in the first half the closest either side went to scoring was when Melksham Town hit the Pewsey bar. Both sides created chances but neither side found the net and the teams turned round at the break still looking for the opening goal. The second half continued in a similar vein to the first and it took until ten minutes from time for the deadlock to be finally broken. The goal came when Melksham were awarded a contested penalty which was duly dispatched by Lyndon Banfield for his second goal in consecutive games. Both sides picked up cautions in the closing stages as the game now had an extra edge to it but there was to be no more goals as Melksham hung on to take all three points to end their barren run in what would turn out to be a very good week for the team. The game scheduled for the same night between FC Chippenham and New College was postponed due to pitch availability issues.

 

On Tuesday night joint league leaders Chippenham Town went clear at the top with an impressive performance in a 7-0 win over Royal Wootton Bassett Town in a game switched to the Gerard Buxton Ground with co-operation between the two clubs. The 3G surface was certainly to the liking of the Chippenham side who played some excellent football all evening. David Moor Bardell put Chippenham ahead and Chippenham did not look back after that the goals kept coming. Harry Lucas made it 2-0 and there were further goals from Dylan Jones, Jac Jones, Dan Warre, Jude McCarthy, with Matt Purcell completing the scoring with the seventh. A convincing victory against a side who’s previous seven games had seen just one goal at the most between the sides in all their matches.


Chippenham Town were back in action on Thursday night against the other winners earlier in the week, Melksham Town. Chippenham looked like they would carry on where they left off on Tuesday night as first half goals from Pele Farnon and their leading scorer in the league, Dylan Jones, put Chippenham 2-0 up at the break. In scoring Farnon became the 20th different goal scorer for Chippenham in the league in only nine games. However, it was a different story after the break as Melksham turned it around scoring four unanswered goals to take the points with a 4-2 win and achieve back-to-back wins in the week. Substitute Billy Hawkins scored twice with further goals from Olly Clarke and Cameron Pearce, the latter bagging his fourth of the season in what was a great week for Colby Cain’s side. The win saw Melksham consolidate in third place in the table, just two points behind the top two but having played one more game.


The big game of the week was on Thursday night at Barrington Park where second placed Shrivenham met FC Chippenham who had started the week in third place, having lost just once, and who had a number of games in hand over the rest of the division.  Goals from Kai Richardson and Bilal Durdu put Shrivenham in the ascendancy as they led 2-0 at the break. The second half saw Shrivenham twice have the ball in the net again through James Hirst and Taida Tendayi but the efforts were both disallowed and, with Ben Patey scoring for the second consecutive game for FC Chippenham, there were some nervous moments at the end for Shrivenham. However, they held out to pick up three vital points in their quest for the title. The win saw Shrivenham move back level on points with Chippenham Town with both teams having five remaining games, including a meeting between the two on Thursday 6th May. As a result of Melksham’s two wins this week FC Chippenham slipped to fourth in the table seven points behind the joint leaders but with three games in hand. Your Sport Swindon's Mike Wray was at the game. The highlights can be accessed using the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of our Website.


The other scheduled game on Thursday between Radstock Town and Pewsey was postponed.

Action from Shrivenham's hard fought 2-1 win over FC Chippenham  (pictures courtesy of Mike Wray)

Results


Monday 19th April 2021

FC Chippenham v New College - Postponed

Pewsey Vale 0 Melksham Town 1


Tuesday 20th April 2021

Chippenham Town 7 Royal W. Bassett Town 0


Thursday 22nd April 2021

Melksham Town 4 Chippenham Town 2

Radstock Town v Pewsey Vale - Postponed

Shrivenham 2 FC Chippenham 1

Week Commencing 26th April 2021
Joint Leaders Pick Up Max Points

Another busy week of games in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League saw both the joint leaders in action on Monday and both were winners on the night.

 

Chippenham Town, whose pitch is unavailable, played their third consecutive home game on their opponents ground due to excellent co-operation between the two clubs to enable the fixtures to get played. All three games that have been switched have now been won by Chippenham as they secured a 4-1 win over Pewsey Vale, returning to winning ways after last week’s defeat at Melksham. David Moor-Bardell led the way with a couple of goals as he took his total for the season to six, the other two coming courtesy of Eduardo Silva and leading scorer Dylan Jones, who moved onto seven for the season. Pewsey's response was scored by Dylan Young  from a free kick.

 

The same night Shrivenham recorded their biggest win of the season against visitors New College, scoring eight times with just the solitary consolation goal for New College from their leading scorer Sam Morse. Star of the show was Shrivenham’s Kieran Sutton who helped himself to five goals to move level with Tyger Hall as Shrivenham's leading scorer. The other three Shrivenham goals on the night came courtesy of Kai Richardson, who is in a rich vein of scoring form having scored in three of the last four games, Beyazit Durdu and James Hirst. The win saw Shrivenham move onto twenty points as they matched Chippenham Town stride for stride with each having four games to play.


The two sides met again on Thursday night at New College’s ground at Swindon Supermarine and this time round it was a much closer affair, although Shrivenham once again came out on top in a 6-3 win to make it a maximum six points out of six for the week. Kai Richardson continued his impressive goal scoring record of late with a hat-trick for Shrivenham, Kieron Sutton and James Hirst were also once again on the score sheet, with the other goal coming from Matthew Slevin with his first of the season. New College’s scorers in reply were Michael Friend, who bagged a brace, and Ari Filho with his second of the season.


Also making it six points out of six ahead of next Thursday’s big encounter with Shrivenham were the other joint leaders Chippenham Town. They were made to work really hard for the three points though by a Radstock Town side who fell to only their second defeat of the season. Once again this was a “home” game for Chippenham played at their opponents ground as they maintained that sequence of victories on borrowed grounds. It was all square at the break with neither side finding the net, but the decisive goal came after the interval, Matt Robinson becoming the 21st different goal scorer for Chippenham Town in the U18 Division this season to secure a hard fought 1-0 win over a good Radstock side. So, both Shrivenham and Chippenham now go into next week’s encounter at Barrington Park with identical records for a match which could well decide who will win the U18 Division this season.


Melksham Town have had a strange season so far but Colby Cain’s side look like they intend ending it on a high. They started the campaign with three straight wins before a mid-season blip saw them lose five on the bounce. They have, however, returned to that early season form, winning all of their last three to sit third in the table with just three games to play. Their latest win came in their final home game of the season at the InfiLED against FC Chippenham, a 3-2 success avenging a 3-0 defeat against the same opponents back in October. The defeat for FC Chippenham on Thursday was a serious blow to their title chances, although if they win their four games in hand they can still move to within a point of the joint leaders, although their destiny is no longer in their own hands. On target for Melksham in their latest success were Olly Clarke, Cameron Pearce and Jaiden Pearce, Charlie Morgan and Louie Lang with the FC Chippenham goals.


Royal Wootton Bassett Town recorded their biggest win of the season at home against Pewsey Vale on Thursday night. When the sides had met just over a fortnight ago it had been a tight affair with Royal Wootton Bassett just edging it by the odd goal in five. It was a different story in the return fixture as a storming first half saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town 6-0 up at the break. Harry Farrow fired in a hat-trick, Thomas Pitt scored a brace of penalties and James Johnson also found the net in an impressive first half showing. Credit to Pewsey who did not give up and had a much better second half, limiting the home side to just two goals, including a third penalty of the night, and scoring one of their own. Royal Wootton Bassett Town's scorers in the second half were Tom Warren and Mike Gilder, Pewsey's goal came from Dylan Young, for the second time this week he fired in from a free kick. The win lifted Royal Wootton Bassett Town a couple of places in the table into fourth spot. All the goals from this game can be watched using the link below.



Royal Wootton Bassett Town who recorded their biggest win of the season, defeating Pewsey Vale 8-1

Results


Monday 26th April 2021

Chippenham Town 4 Pewsey Vale 1

Shrivenham 8 New College 1


Thursday 29nd April 2021

Chippenham Town 1 Radstock Town 0

Melksham Town 3 FC Chippenham 2

New College 3 Shrivenham 6

Royal W. Bassett Town 8 Pewsey Vale 1

Week Commencing 3rd May 2021
U18 Title Race Remains Wide Open

The title race in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League was already looking to be a fascinating close-run contest with Shrivenham and Chippenham Town in the ascendency but after Thursday night’s action there are still four sides with realistic title aspirations in what has been an extremely competitive Under 18 Division this season.

 

The big match of the night was at Barrington Park where the joint leaders Shrivenham and Chippenham Town met in a game which had the potential to have a big say in the ultimate destination of the league title. A win for either side would have put them in pole position to lift the title. A draw, however, would once again reopen the door for FC Chippenham and Radstock Town and possibly Melksham Town, although the latter were running out of games. Chippenham went in front when a neat cross from the right was controlled on his chest by Joshua Cole as he got behind the Shrivenham defence, and he then colly lobbed the ball past Matthew Goldfinch in the Shrivenham goal to make it 1-0 to the visitors. However, Chippenham did not hold onto the lead for very long as Shrivenham’s Joe Kemp got on the end of a free kick with his head at the far post for his second goal of the season to make it 1-1. Shrivenham then went in front for the first time in the match with a similar goal as Chippenham Town once again conceded following a cross to the far post from their right-hand side, this time the source of the cross was a corner which was met powerfully by the head of Taida Tendayi for his second league goal of the campaign. Shrivenham went into the half time break holding that slender lead and went close to extending it shortly after the interval but the chance was missed, and Chippenham then started to impose themselves on the game. A sustained period of possession was eventually rewarded when a ball into Dylan Jones just outside the eighteen-yard box saw him fire in a powerful left foot shot past Goldfinch in the Shrivenham goal to level matters up at two apiece. Both sides had chances to win the match with Shrivenham’s Tyger Hall almost nicking it at the death only to be denied by a great save from the Chippenham keeper Bailey Leach. The draw left both sides on 24 points with two games to play. Chippenham Town have Pewsey Vale and Melksham Town still to play, the latter one of the two sides to beat them this season with the game scheduled for this coming Monday. Shrivenham meanwhile also have Pewsey Vale to play, that game also being this coming Monday, and finish with a trip to Radstock Town who are unbeaten at home this season. Your Sport Swindon were at the Shrivenham v Chippenham game and the highlights can be seen by either clicking on the link below or using the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the league website.

Third placed Melksham Town travelled to Royal Wootton Bassett Town, who started the night in fourth spot, knowing nothing less than a win would keep their own title aspirations realistically alive. They went into the game on a great run of form but, after a mid-season blip, were running out of games in the quest to close in on the top two. To then find themselves 3-0 down after just twenty minutes certainly was not in the script that Colby Cain had hoped for. All three goals from the home side came from headers from a couple of free kicks and a corner, Rhys Farrow, Seb Smith and Michael Gilder the scorers, the latter netting his fifth goal of the season. Finding themselves three down Melksham Town dug deep and got themselves back into the match with two goals of their own before the half time interval. Billy Hawkins scored from a corner and then Aron Byfield netted from the penalty spot to make it 3-2. After the break Melksham lay siege to the Royal Wootton Bassett Town goal and got back on level terms when Billy Hawkins scored his second of the game with what was his fifth goal of the season. Although Melksham had the better of things in that second half there were chances for both sides towards the end to snatch a winner but there were to be no further goals meaning the points were shared. With just two games to play and being five points behind the joint leaders Melksham’s title aspirations are as good as over now. Their two remaining games see them travel to Chippenham Town on Monday before ending their season with another away game at New College. Royal Wootton Bassett Town have four remaining games with both New College and FC Chippenham to play twice. The goals from the Royal Wootton Bassett Town v Melksham game can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

On the subject of FC Chippenham, the results certainly went their way on Thursday night. With that draw between Shrivenham and Chippenham Town it meant that FC Chippenham’s title aspirations were back in their own hands after they achieved a comprehensive 7-0 win over Pewsey Vale at Pewsey Recreation Ground. FC Chippenham still have six games to go and were they to win all six they would be crowned champions. FC Chippenham have both Radstock Town and Royal Wootton Bassett Town to play twice, plus home games against Pewsey Vale and New College.

Radstock Town are also still very much in the title hunt and can go to within two points of the joint leaders if they win their games in hand although they have some tough looking fixtures still to play, including those two games against FC Chippenham and one with Shrivenham. They maintained their interest in the title race with a hard fought away win at New College. Tom Ricketts put them ahead on 25 minutes, but New College got themselves back into the game five minutes before the interval when Morgan Francis scored his first of the season to make it 1-1 at the break. It remained level until the hour mark when Tom Ricketts scored his second of the game with what would prove to be the winning goal and three valuable points for Radstock as they moved level on points with both FC Chippenham and Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Other than the games against FC Chippenham and Shrivenham, Radstock have New College and Pewsey Vale to play.


The destiny of the Under 18 title is still very much up in the air and with the FA re-confirming the information received last season that goal difference cannot be used to determine final rankings in Youth football as per the Standard Code of Rules for Youth Competitions, there is still the possibility that play-offs may be needed to decide the winners and runners-up positions in the division.

Radstock Town who kept their title aspirations alive with a 2-1 win at New College

Results


Thursday 6th May 2021

New College 1 Radstock Town 2

Pewsey Vale 0 FC Chippenham 7

Royal W. Bassett Town 3 Melksham Town 3

Shrivenham 2 Chippenham Town 2

Week Commencing 10th May 2021
Advantage Shrivenham

Both the joint leaders of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Under 18 Division at the start of the week were in action on Monday night. By the end of the evening there was just one team heading the table with one game to play, although both Shrivenham and Chippenham Town could still be caught by one or other of FC Chippenham or Radstock Town.

 

Shrivenham travelled to Pewsey Recreation Ground to play Pewsey Vale knowing that they had defeated the same opponents 6-1 at Barrington Park back in October but Pewsey Vale are a much tougher nut to crack on their own ground. Despite being only able to field a bare eleven Pewsey put in one of their best performances of the season against a lack-lustre Shrivenham side who perhaps took their opponents for granted. That said it was Shrivenham as was expected who created the early chances but found Pewsey keeper Matt Young in great form. Tyger Hall had the best of the early chances for the visitors Shrivenham but found Young either in the right place or denying him with a great save. His first came after he chested the ball down in the penalty box but then fired a shot straight at Pewsey keeper Young who saved with his feet and the ball was cleared by the Pewsey defence. Another good chance came his was shortly afterwards when he met a cross from the left with his head, but the header was straight at keeper Young. Next up Hall picked up the ball on the edge of the area but fired straight at Young. It was turning out to be a great night for Young as he continued to deny Shrivenham’s striker, the next one a great stop with his feet after Hall fired in powerfully from the edge of the box. Young rode his luck shortly afterwards though when he came running out to the edge of the box and caught a Shrivenham player at the same time as he connected with the ball, but referee Chris Harris ignored the visitors claims for a penalty.


The Pewsey keeper was finally beaten when a shot from the right-hand edge of the area was well saved by Young but unfortunately his save went straight to Kai Richardson who had an easy tap in at the far post to make it 1-0. Richardson then extended Shrivenham’s lead when he curled in a left foot shot in off the post to make it 2-0. Shrivenham continued to have the better of things and create chances and once again Young denied Hall when Hall fired in a corner which would have gone straight in but for the intervention of the keeper. It was from a corner at the other end that Pewsey Vale got themselves back into the game just before half time. The ball in from Pewsey’s right-hand side was dropped by Shrivenham keeper Matthew Goldfinch and Pewsey’s Ayron Rowe made the keeper pay as he bundled the ball into the net to make it 2-1.


Pewsey keeper Young was once again called into action after the interval when a Tyger Hall free kick was headed back across goal and was palmed away from danger by Young. Shrivenham then had another penalty shout but once again the appeals fell on deaf ears. Shrivenham then had a goal disallowed for a foul on the keeper but they eventually did extend their lead in the final minutes of the game. A free kick from keeper Matthew Goldfinch was headed on and then as the cross came in from the right hand side it looked a simple tap in for Tyger Hall but, on a night when his luck in front of goal was well and truly out, his shot struck the post although lucky for his side it then rebounded in off a Pewsey defender for an own goal to make it 3-1 to the visitors. Despite their lowly position in the table Pewsey had certainly made title chasing Shrivenham work really hard for the three points which bodes well for their remaining fixtures. Shrivenham’s last game of the season is a difficult looking trip to play Radstock Town who are also still in the mix for honours, so there is all to play for still. Your Sport Swindon were once again at the game and the excellent highlights package can be viewed by using the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the league website.

Whilst Shrivenham made sure they picked up the three points on offer on Monday night Chippenham Town, their closest rivals for the title in the current league table, slipped up at home to Melksham Town. Chippenham had lost just two games prior to Monday night’s encounter and one of those defeats was at the hands of Melksham. Despite having a lot of the possession on the night, a solitary goal from Josh Cole was all they had to show for their efforts whilst goals from Cameron Pearce with a long-range effort from 25 yards and a low powerful shot into the bottom corner of the net from just inside the box from Billy Hawkins ensured Melksham completed an impressive double over Chippenham Town’s academy based side. Hawkins is certainly in a rich vein of form in front of goal at the moment, as that was his fifth goal in the last four games, whilst Cameron followed up his debut goal in senior football on Saturday with his sixth of the season in the U18 Division. Melksham finish their season with a trip to New College on Thursday with a very slim chance of still finishing runners-up if they win that game, but they look good for a top four finish. Chippenham Town also complete their games this Thursday night with a trip to Pewsey Vale.

Results


Monday 10th May 2021

Chippenham Town 1 Melksham Town 2

Pewsey Vale 1 Shrivenham 3



Week Commencing 17th May 2021
FC Chippenham Close The Gap

Last Thursday Colby Cain’s Melksham Town wrapped up what had been a successful season for the side with a 3-1 win at New College thanks to goals from Isaac Wain, Olly Clarke and Aron Byfield. The win lifted Melksham up into second spot at the end of their fixtures but they could still slip to fifth spot depending how results involving the other sides pan out. Well done to Melksham on becoming the first team to complete their fixtures in what has been a difficult season for everyone. For New College that was now five straight defeats, Rajib Malla getting their goal, his third of the season.

The same night as Melksham were winning at New College, FC Chippenham out muscled visitors Radstock Town to keep their title aspirations on track, Zachary Baskerville, Ben Patey and Oliver Crosby-Clarke scoring in a 3-0 win. The scheduled game at Pewsey between Pewsey Vale and Chippenham was postponed due to the Chippenham Town mini-bus breaking down and rescheduled for the following Thursday.


For various reasons, unfortunately only two of the five scheduled game this week took place in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. Pewsey Vale were unable to raise a side on Monday night for their fixture with FC Chippenham due to school related commitments and on Thursday night Chippenham Town were unable to field a side due to other games their Academy were involved in and their scheduled game with Pewsey was postponed for the second week running. Both games have been re-scheduled already.

 

On Monday night Radstock Town maintained their unbeaten home record with a narrow 2-1 win over visitors New College, an identical result to that between the two sides the previous week. On target for Radstock were George Rowe with his second goal of the season and Ake Wiberg who notched his first of the campaign, New College’s leading scorer Sam Morse replying for the visitors with his sixth of the season. Unfortunately, Radstock's big game scheduled for Thursday night against top of the table Shrivenham at Radstock had to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and has now been re-scheduled for Monday 31st May.


With Shrivenham not in action, FC Chippenham had the chance to close the gap to the leaders and did not disappoint their supporters with a 3-1 win over a Royal Wootton Bassett side who were forced to field a number of younger players due to players being unavailable. Royal Wootton Bassett manager Nick Warren was pleased with how his side performed in the circumstances, but FC Chippenham proved too strong on the night. Amongst the FC Chippenham scorers was Oliver Crosby-Clarke who had been the top scorer last season for opponents Royal Wootton Bassett, Zach Bruce and Josh Gale with the other Chippenham goals. Tomas Warren replied for the visitors. The win saw FC Chippenham stay in fourth place in the table but move onto nineteen points from their ten games played. They have three games in hand on Shrivenham, who are currently eight points ahead. Next week FC Chippenham are home to New College on Monday before a trip to Radstock Town on Thursday where they will need to become the first team to beat Radstock on their own turf to maintain their title challenge. With Radstock also still to play Shrivenham they could have a big say in the final destination of the U18 league title.

Week Commencing 24th May 2021
Good Week For FC Chippenham

It has been a big week for FC Chippenham as they close in on the top two, Shrivenham and Chippenham Town, in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. On Monday night they entertained New College at Stanley Park and were comfortable 6-0 winners. Louie Lang fired in a hat-trick to become the joint top scorer in the Division along with Shrivenham’s Kai Richardson with nine goals. Further goals from Ben Patey, Josh Gale and Zach Bruce completed the scoring for FC Chippenham. The win on Monday saw them move to within two points of Chippenham Town and five points of leaders Shrivenham with games in hand over both of their nearest rivals ahead of Thursday’s round of matches.


This big win on Monday was followed on Thursday with, what on paper at least, looked to be the most difficult of their remaining three games, a trip to Radstock Town to play a Radstock side that had not been beaten at their Southfields Ground in a home league fixture this season. Radstock had also been in action on Monday night and warmed up for the visit of FC Chippenham by avenging their surprise defeat at Pewsey earlier in the season. On this occasion they ensured there would be no repeat of that result, which remains Pewsey’s only win this season, scoring six times and conceding just the one. On target for Radstock on Monday night, all scoring their first goals of the season, were Oliver Brook with a hat-trick, Oliver Hulbert, Harley Morse and Benji Sims, Nathan Parfitt with the consolation goal for Pewsey. There was to be no second win of the week for Radstock on Thursday night though, as they fell to their first official home defeat of the season against a FC Chippenham side who are now very much looking like the favourites for the league title. Two defensive errors by Radstock gave FC Chippenham two goals and the upper hand. There then followed a bad five minute spell for Radstock which saw FC Chippenham ensure they claimed all three points courtesy of a 5-1 win, with the final score probably not a true reflection of the night’s play. Radstock’s goal was scored by Ben Smith.  The 5 – 1 win for FC Chippenham saw them move to within two points of the top of the table with a game in hand and only two matches to go. Louie Lang was once again amongst the goals to take sole leadership of the top scorer position in the division and there were also goals from Charlie Morgan, Ben Patey, Ollie Crosby-Clarke and Josh Gale.


Chippenham Town finally got to play their final game of the season at Pewsey at the third time of asking and they made sure that they finished their season on a high, hitting five unanswered goals to move joint top of the table with Shrivenham. Dylan Jones netted his ninth of the season, with further goals from Eduardo Silva, Ahmed Jumale, Pele Farnon and Ethan Witchell completing the scoring in the 5-0 win. Despite the final game victory it might not be enough for Chippenham to pick up honours. Shrivenham are currently level with Chippenham Town on 27 points with Shrivenham still having the one game to play, away to Radstock Town on Monday night. A point would see Shrivenham secure at least runners-up spot, but they will want the win to set the highest possible target for FC Chippenham if they are to be beaten to the title. FC Chippenham are two points behind but with those two games to play, away to Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Tuesday and then home to Pewsey Vale on Thursday. Win both games and FC Chippenham will lift the title, if they drop points and Shrivenham win their final game then it will be Shrivenham who take the title.


The final game of the week was at Swindon Supermarine on Thursday night where New College entertained Royal Wootton Bassett Town, with the two sides set to meet again in the return fixture next Thursday. Going into the game New College had suffered a bad run of form, losing all their previous seven games ahead of Thursday night’s encounter, albeit all against top five sides. Visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Town meanwhile were in reasonable form with just two defeats in their last seven. However, form was turned on its head on the night as one of New College’s best performances of the season saw them take all three points thanks to a narrow 3-2 win. Twice New College led only to be pulled back by the visitors thanks to goals from Howard Evans and James Johnson. New College then went ahead again for the third time and this time there was to be no coming back for Royal Wootton Bassett Town as New College secured the win. On target for New College were Ari Filho, with his third of the season, Mason Francis and Obinna Nwoke.

Week Commencing 31st May 2021
Shrivenham Set Target

The Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League has been an exciting contest with the title race going to the last game of the season. At one stage after the restart in April five or six teams still had potential title aspirations but eventually it developed into a three-team contest for the honours with Shrivenham, Chippenham Town and FC Chippenham battling out for the winners and runners-up positions. Chippenham Town had finished their fixtures last week level on points at the top with Shrivenham with FC Chippenham two points behind but with two games to go to just one for Shrivenham.


Shrivenham played their final game of the season on Monday night with a difficult looking trip to play a Radstock Town side who have had another decent season and who have been difficult to beat on their own patch. A close game was anticipated, and it certainly proved to be that way. Radstock had the better of things in the opening half but found themselves trailing at the break to an unfortunate own goal. A back pass from a Radstock defender eluded the goalkeeper who had come out of his area and despite his attempts to prevent the ball going into the net he just failed to stop the ball crossing the line. Whilst there were good chances at both end it was just the one goal that separated the sides at the break.


The second half continued to see both sides create scoring opportunities and from one such chance Shrivenham extended their lead. A solo run from Tyger Hall saw him fire in a shot which may well have gone in but with a Radstock defender looking to try and clear Kieran Sutton made sure the ball ended up in the back of the net. Hall was not to be denied though, finishing off a good move down the Shrivenham right flank to make it 3-0. Radstock pulled one back and it was the best goal of the game, Freddie Blacker lobbing Shrivenham keeper Matt Goldsmith with a powerful shot from 25 yards. Both sides continued to create opportunities and Shrivenham thought they had extended their lead when Tyger Hall had the ball in the back of the net, but a referees’ assistant’s flag saw the goal disallowed. Hall went close again, and he should really have done better when presented with an open goal from a cross from the right, his shot going over the bar. Radstock also had chances at the other end but it ended 3-1 to Shrivenham, who knew they had set FC Chippenham the highest possible target if they were to take the title. The situation for FC Chippenham was that they now knew they had to win both their last two games against Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Pewsey Vale if they were to deny Shrivenham the league title. Highlights of the Radstock v Shrivenham game can be viewed on Your Sport Swindon by clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page on the league website.

Action from Radstock Town v Shrivenham

(pictures courtesy of Mike Wray)

So, to Tuesday night and FC Chippenham’s game against Royal Wootton Bassett Town. It did not start well for FC Chippenham as they found themselves trailing to a Charlie Stammers goal. Charlie Morgan brought them back on level terms but Seb Smith restored the lead for the home side with a header from twelve yards from a corner. It got worse for FC Chippenham as Tom Warren then gave Royal Wootton Bassett Town a two-goal advantage as he made it 3-1. FC Chippenham responded to this set back and Josh Gale pulled one back as the home side's defence failed to deal with a cross into the box and FC Chippenham went into the break trailing 3-2 with the title aspirations under threat.


After the interval FC Chippenham sought to get themselves back on level terms but it remained 3-2 to the home side until five minutes from time. Their lifeline came when they were awarded what the home side considered to be a harsh penalty. Jack Brain fired in the spot kick to level matters up and it was the same player who then put the visitors ahead for the first time in the game with his fifth goal of the season with a stunning free kick into the far top corner of the net. Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s Adam Jones was unfortunate to be shown a red card and with his side down to ten men and so little time remaining there was to be no coming back as FC Chippenham ensured they left the Gerard Buxton Ground with all three points and with one hand on the U18 Division title.


FC Chippenham entertain bottom side Pewsey Vale on Thursday night knowing that a victory will see them crowned champions. With Pewsey having won just the one game all season FC Chippenham will start as favourites, but Pewsey could still rise to the occasion and take points off FC Chippenham, especially if nerves get the better of the title favourites. Having sat top of the table last season when Covid-19 curtailed the 2019-20 Season,  and having won their last six games to get to this stage, FC Chippenham  will be keen to make sure this title triumph does not slip through their grasp. Royal Wootton Bassett Town filmed the game on Tuesday night and the highlights are available on the Your Sport Swindon site by either clicking on the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page on the league website.

Next Season

With the Under 18 Division finally concluding this Thursday and with the AGM just three weeks away, thoughts now turn to next season. The Under 18 Division is set to be joined by two new sides for next season, with both Calne Town and Devizes Town set to re-enter Under 18 sides. With the anticipation that the existing eight sides will again compete this will give a division of 10 sides but there is still the opportunity for new sides to join but they need to get in touch with the league fairly quickly with the AGM coming up. Any interested sides should contact the League Secretary Jim Thorn at jim.thorn@wiltshireseniorleague.co.uk.


In addition, the league has canvassed the current Under 18 clubs as to whether there is any interest in an Under 20s Division in addition to the Under 18s. With the current U18s having had two very interrupted seasons and the lack of playing time means that some may not be ready to move up into senior football. Rather than risk losing some of these to football, an U20s Division would give them the chance to play for another two seasons against players of their own age and develop further. If sufficient clubs are interested (say six), then we will run it. If an U20s Division was to run, fixtures could either be midweek or Saturdays, depending on what clubs prefer and having regard to facility availability. A further suggestion for the U20s Division, is that we permit, say three over age players. Again, if this is what clubs want, we will allow it and it could become an opportunity for Development teams to join.

Results



Monday 31st May 2021

Radstock Town 1 Shrivenham 3


Tuesday 1st June 2021

Royal Wootton Bassett Town 3 FC Chippenham 4

Week Commencing 7th June 2021
FC Chippenham's Title

 FC Chippenham before their recent game at Royal W. Bassett Town (picture courtesy of Steve Green)

FC Chippenham went into their game with bottom of the table Pewsey Vale on Thursday night knowing that a victory would see them crowned champions. They had won all of their last six games to get to this position after their come from behind win at Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Tuesday night. With Pewsey having won just the one game all season FC Chippenham started as clear favourites but would have been wary that Pewsey could still rise to the occasion and take points off FC Chippenham, especially if nerves get the better of the title favourites. Those nerves could have easily kicked in when Pewsey took the lead through Harry Wolmersley but FC Chippenham held their nerve and came from behind for the second time in the week. They scored six unanswered goals to run out 6-1 winners and claim that league title, pipping Shrivenham by a single point. There were six different scorers for FC Chippenham, with Ben Patey, Charlie Morgan, Josh Gale, Fabian Stanislas, Jack Brain and Louie Lang all scoring, the latter netting his eleventh of the season to finish as the top scorer in the whole division for the season. 


Having sat top of the table last season when Covid-19 curtailed the 2019-20 Season, FC Chippenham were able to see this one through to the end and go one better than the last completed season, when they had finished as runners-up. Congratulations to manager Steve Billett and his team, that run of victories at the end, with all the pressure that Shrivenham had put on them with their results, showed great nerve and character. In the end Shrivenham had to settle for second place but a special mention also to Paul Whitewood and his side who were excellent all season, losing just two games, both by a single goal in the away games against the two Chippenham sides.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town and New College also concluded their season on Thursday night. When the two sides had met the previous week, New College had edged a close contest 3-2 and another close game was anticipated. In terms of the league table the result would have no impact on final positions but both sides would want to end the current campaign with a win. That honour resides with Royal Wootton Bassett Town who emerged as 2-1 winners on the night. Harry Farrow put them ahead on 37 minutes but New College equalised after half time with a long-range effort from leading scorer Sam Morse that deceived the Royal Wootton Bassett keeper and ended up in the back of the net. Will Jeary put the home side back in front seven minutes from time and that was to be the end of the night’s scoring. Royal Wootton Bassett Town finished in sixth place, three points behind Radstock the side just above them in the table. New College finished in seventh spot, seven points behind Royal Wootton Bassett Town.

Action from Royal Wootton Bassett Town v New College

(pictures courtesy of Steve Green)

Results

Thursday 3rd June 2021

FC Chippenham 6 Pewsey Vale 1

Royal Wootton Bassett Town 2 New College 1

Archived July 2021
Share by: