Action from Amesbury Juniors v Bradford Town in the Mid Wiltshire Vets Division (Picture courtesy of Dave Cavanagh)

Results

Monday 7 September

Mid Wiltshire Division

Amesbury Juniors 0 Bradford Town 2

Melksham Town 7 Trowbridge Tigers 0

Tuesday 8 September

Mid Wiltshire Division

FC Calne 2 Marlborough Town 1



North Wiltshire Division

AFC Swindon 0 KMLC 7

Action from Melksham Town v Corsham Town in the Mid Wiltshire Vets Division (Picture courtesy of John Cuthbertson)

Results

Monday 14 September

Mid Wiltshire Division

Melksham Town 4 Corsham Town 1

VFC Devizes 3 FC Calne 0

Tuesday 15 September

Mid Wiltshire Division

St Andrews  1 Amesbury Juniors 1

North Wiltshire Division

Redhouse 3 Stratton Juniors 2

Results



Monday 21 September

Mid Wiltshire Division

Bradford Town 2 Trowbridge Tigers 2

Tuesday 22 September

Mid Wiltshire Division

Marlborough Town 0 VFC Devizes 1

North Wiltshire Division

Swindon Rovers 0 Royal Wootton Bassett Town 5

Redhouse Vets who went top of the North Wiltshire Division with a 2-0 win over KMLC

Results

Monday 28 September

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 FC Calne 2  VFC Devizes 6

Tuesday 29 September

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 Chippenham T Yard Dogs 0 Amesbury Juniors 6

 North Wiltshire Division

 KMLC 0 Redhouse 2

Results

Monday 5 October

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 Amesbury Junior 2  FC Calne 1

Tuesday 6 October

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 Chippenham T Yard Dogs 1 St Andrews 2

 North Wiltshire Division

 AFC Swindon 0 Stratton Juniors 3

Action from VFC Devizes narrow 2-1 win over Bradford Town (Picture courtesy of David Giles)

Results

Monday 12 October

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 Bradford Town 1 VFC Devizes 2 

 Melksham Town 3 Amesbury Junior 1

Tuesday 13 October

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 Marlborough Town 2 Chippenham T Yard Dogs 0

 North Wiltshire Division

 Royal Wootton Bassett Town 1 Redhouse 3

Wiltshire County FA Veteran's Cup

First Round Draw

Redhouse v Stratton Juniors

Melksham Town v St Andrews

Royal Wootton Bassett Town v Swindon Rovers

Chippenham Town Yard Dogs v FC Calne

Trowbridge Tigers v VFC Devizes

Corsham Town v Amesbury Junior

Marlborough Town v AFC Swindon

KMLC v Bradford Town

Games to be scheduled by the Wiltshire Senior League Fixture Secretary at the relevant grounds used by the clubs in the Wiltshire Senior League,  utilising the league's facility booking slots at Devizes and New College as appropriate.

Action from VFC Devizes 4-2 win over Trowbridge Tigers (Picture courtesy of David Giles)

Results

Monday 19 October

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 Corsham Town v St Andrews - Postponed

 VFC Devizes 4 Trowbridge Tigers 2 

Tuesday 20 October

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 FC Calne 0 Melksham Town 4

 North Wiltshire Division

 KMLC 6 Swindon Rovers 1

Results

Monday 26 October

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 Amesbury Junior 0 St Andrews 0

 Corsham Town 2 Bradford Town 0

 Melksham Town 5 Chippenham Yard Dogs 1

Tuesday 27 October

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 Marlborough Town 6 Trowbridge Tigers 2

 North Wiltshire Division

 Stratton Juniors 3 Royal Wootton Bassett Town 3

Lee Sanders who scored the goal for VFC Devizes in their 1-1 draw at Corsham Town (Picture courtesy of David Giles)

Results

Monday 2 November

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 Chippenham T Y.D. 0 Trowbridge Tigers 1

 Corsham Town 1 VFC Devizes 1

Tuesday 3 November

 Wiltshire Veteran's County Cup

 First Round

 KMLC 3 Bradford Town 1

Results

Monday 7 December

 Mid Wiltshire Division

  Bradford Town 5 Marlborough Town 1

  Corsham Town 3 Amesbury Junior 1

Tuesday 8 December

 Mid Wiltshire Division

 FC Calne 10 Chippenham Yard Dogs 0

North Wiltshire Division

  Swindon Rovers 8 AFC Swindon 0

Results

Monday 14th December 2020

Mid Wiltshire Vets Division

Corsham Town v Chippenham YD - Postponed

Melksham Town v Bradford Town - Postponed

Trowbridge Tigers 1 St Andrews 0

Tuesday 15th December 2020

Mid Wiltshire Vets Division

FC Calne 3 Amesbury Junior 2

North Wiltshire Division

Stratton Juniors 0 KMLC 1

Wiltshire County FA Veteran's Cup

First Round Results to Date

KMLC 3 Bradford Town 1

Trowbridge Tigers 0 VFC Devizes 2

Royal W Bassett Town 2 Swindon Rovers 4

Redhouse 4 Stratton Juniors 2

Action in the two Veterans' Divisions was then brought to a halt by the Covid pandemic, with the season not recommencing until the end of March 2021.

Action in the Veteran’s Divisions resumes next week with the Mid Wiltshire Division restarting on Monday night with two games and the North Wiltshire Division getting under way again the following night. The game with Amesbury will be the first meeting between the sides with the two teams set to meet again in April in the return fixture.

In all there are five scheduled games in the first week.

Mid-Wiltshire Division

Monday night sees two games take place and sees current Division leaders VFC Devizes return to action when they entertain Amesbury Junior at Green Lane. Devizes remain unbeaten after their opening six fixtures, five of which have been won. After a good start to the season, Amesbury Junior are without a win in four and will be keen to return to winning ways in what should be a close game.

The same night an in-form Corsham Town side, who are unbeaten in their last three fixtures, host FC Calne. FC Calne are also in good form having won their last two fixtures and currently sit in third place in the league table and another close game is in prospect at the Southbank Ground.

The following night at Green Lane, St Andrews meet Bradford Town for the first time this season. St Andrews are currently second from bottom in the league table having only played four games but are potentially just one win away from climbing up to fourth place, so congested is the table below the top two sides. Bradford Town are another side who were coming into form just prior to lockdown, registering an impressive 5-1 win over Marlborough Town in their final game before football came to a halt in December.

On Thursday evening Amesbury Junior play their second fixture of the week when they follow their game against the league leaders on Monday with another tough looking fixture against second placed Melksham Town in a game being played at Melksham’s INfiLED Stadium. Melksham have won all of their opening five fixtures prior to lockdown, those victories including a 3-1 success over Amesbury Junior. In that first meeting it was the prolific strike force of Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle who did the damage, Griffin bagging a brace and Tweddle adding a third. Amesbury will look to avenge that earlier defeat in a busy re-start to the season for them.

North Wiltshire Division

On Tuesday night at New College the one fixture in the North Wiltshire Division this week sees Divisional leaders KMLC look to extend their lead at the top of the division when they meet AFC Swindon for the second time this season. In the first meeting between the two sides, which was their opening fixture of the season, KMLC had a comfortable win scoring seven times without reply, Neil Matthews, Nick McCrae and Gary Ashford all bagging a brace. With AFC Swindon still searching for their first point of the season KMLC will start favourites but it will be interesting to see if the extended break has any impact on the form of the two sides.

No Spectators

A reminder to all clubs that no spectators are allowed at grassroots sport as part of step one of the Government’s roadmap. This means at this stage no spectators are allowed at grassroots football.

Veterans County Cup

Here has had to be a change to the scheduled fixtures for the second week of the big re-start with the Wiltshire FA scheduling their outstanding First Round Veterans’ County Cup fixtures for that week. The County Cup games to be played in that week are:

Monday 12th April, Corsham Town v Amesbury Juniors at Corsham Town, 7:30pm kick-off.

Monday 12th April, Melksham Town v St Andrews at Melksham Town, 7:30pm kick-off.

Monday 12th April, Chippenham Yard Dogs v FC Calne at Stanley Park, 6:30pm kick-off.

Tuesday 13th April, Marlborough Town v AFC Swindon at Green Lane, 7:30pm kick-off.

The winners of these four ties will join KMLC, Redhouse, Swindon Rovers and VFC Devizes, who all one their First Round ties, in the Second Round of the competition.

Action from Corsham Town's win over FC Calne (picture courtesy of Mike Wray from Your Sport Swindon)

Action in the Veteran’s Divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League resumed this week and there were plenty of goals across the five fixtures played in the two divisions.

The first game of the week was in the Mid Wiltshire Division at the Southbank Ground on Monday night where Corsham Town carried on where they left off before lockdown with what in the end was a comfortable 5-1 win over FC Calne. Despite having most of the early chances Corsham found themselves trailing when Stuart Ballinger put the visitors ahead against the run of play, a neat lay off on the edge of the box seeing Ballinger control the ball and then hit a volley into the bottom corner of the net. Despite this set back Corsham were soon back on level terms. A long clearance as an FC Calne attack broke down on the edge of the Corsham box found Simon Gray who outpaced the FC Calne defence and finished in style with his second goal of the season to make it 1-1. Corsham went ahead for the first time in the match shortly after when a miskick by the FC Calne keeper saw James Lye return the ball back over the keeper’s head to make it 2-1. Adam Taylor then added a third just before the interval following some neat inter-play down Corsham’s left to make it 3-1 to Corsham at half time.

Soon after the restart Corsham went further ahead when Stuart Skinner turned his defender just outside the penalty box on the left-hand side and curled an excellent placed shot over the keeper’s head into the far top corner of the net. The same player then added a fifth in the closing moments of the match with another excellent shot into that same top corner of the net from the edge of the box. There was still time for FC Calne to have a great chance of a consolation goal when they were awarded a penalty for handball on the line which also saw the unlucky Corsham defender dismissed. However, the resulting penalty was fired wide of the post and it remained Corsham Town 5 FC Calne 1. The win extended Corsham’s unbeaten run to four games and saw them leapfrog their opponents into third place in the league table.   Your Sport Swindon covered the game and their coverage of the game can be found using the link below or the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the website.

The same night saw more action as Mid Wiltshire Division leaders VFC Devizes extended their lead at the top of the table with victory over Amesbury Junior. Devizes went into the game unbeaten after their opening six fixtures before lockdown, five of which had been won. Amesbury meanwhile had started the season well but went into the fixture without a win in their last four. It was a tight affair for the opening 25 minutes as the two sides turned round at the interval with the game still looking for that first goal. However, it was a very different story after the break. The deadlock was finally broken by VFC Devizes’ Marcus Wallen two minutes into the second half. Wallen quickly doubled his sides lead before Devizes’ leading scorer Craig Townsend got in on the act to make it 3-0 ten minutes into the half. Amesbury had battled well in that opening half but were now unable to hold back a rampant Devizes and there were further goals from Lee Jackson (2), Stephen Campbell, an own goal, and a third for Wallen as he completed a hat-trick in an 8-0 win which had not looked improbable at the break. The sixth win of the season saw Devizes open up a four-point lead over Melksham ahead of the latter’s own fixture against Amesbury on Thursday night.

The following night at Green Lane, St Andrews meet Bradford Town for the first time this season. St Andrews started the game second from bottom in the league table having only played four games, but a win would have seen them climb into the top half, so congested is the table below the top two sides. Bradford Town were one of the sides who were coming into form just prior to lockdown, registering an impressive 5-1 win over Marlborough Town in their final game before football came to a halt in December. They continued that form on Wednesday racing into a 3-0 lead at half-time before adding a fourth after the break to make sure of the points with a 4-0 success. Leading scorer Rhys Schell was the star of the show for Bradford Town firing in a hat-trick to take him to nine for the season, Kane Scott with the other Bradford Town. The win saw Bradford Town move into third spot in the table above Corsham Town on goal difference having played one game more.

On Thursday evening Amesbury Junior played their second fixture of the week when they followed their game against the league leaders on Monday with another tough looking fixture against second placed Melksham Town. Melksham had won all of their opening five fixtures prior to lockdown, those victories including a 3-1 success over Amesbury. In that first meeting it was the prolific strike force of Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle who did the damage, Griffin bagging a brace and Tweddle adding a third. The same two were at it again in the return fixture, both scoring twice in a 4-1 win, Craig Lewis replying for Amesbury. The win saw Melksham Town move to within a point of leaders VFC Devizes with a game in hand, with the top two sides set to meet at the end of the month.

In the North Wiltshire Division, Tuesday night at New College saw leaders KMLC extend their lead at the top of the division, registering the biggest win of the season across the two Veteran’s divisions with an 11-0 success over AFC Swindon. Having defeated AFC Swindon 7-0 in their opening game of the season the latest win saw them complete the double over their opponents. First half goals from Neil Matthews, Timothy Hughes, Paul Cooper and Ian Wilmer gave KMLC a 4-0 lead at the break. The second half saw Cooper go on to complete his hat-trick but the star of that second period was substitute Gary Ashford who scored four times taking his tally for the season to six, all of which have been scored against AFC Swindon. A goal from Nick McCrae, his fourth of the season, completed the scoring for the Division leaders who opened up a three-point lead over Redhouse at the top of the table but have played two games more than their nearest challengers.

The big game on Monday in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans Division was at the InfiLED Stadium, home of Melksham Town, where Melksham were looking to defend their 100% winning run against an in-form Bradford Town who had moved up into fourth spot after wins just before and just after lockdown. Despite Melksham creating numerous chances it was the visitors Bradford Town who led at the break thanks to a goal from Paul Beavers, his fifth of the campaign. Melksham were on top after the interval and were rewarded with a goal apiece from their prolific strike duo of Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle. Bradford Town, who were well organised and worked hard all night, were unable to find an equaliser as Melksham held out for the 2-1 win but knew they had been given their toughest test of the season so far. The win saw Melksham move above VFC Devizes and go two points clear at the top of the table, both sides having now played seven games. The top two sides meet at the end of the month in a match that go along way to deciding the title, although Corsham Town are also shaping up to have a strong title challenge and are expected to have a big say in matters in the Mid Wiltshire Division.

Corsham Town’s latest win was a comfortable 7-0 home success over Trowbridge Tigers on Monday night at the Southbank Ground. Corsham led 2-0 at the break but an impressive second half performance from Corsham saw them score five more unanswered goals. Simon Gray led the way bagging a brace and there were also goals for Stuart Skinner, Luke Chapman, Adam Taylor and James Lye. After an opening game defeat to Melksham, Corsham are now unbeaten in five and whilst six points behind second placed VFC Devizes they have a game in hand and looking like they are going to have a big say in the title race in the Mid Wiltshire Division.

Amesbury Junior Vets had a tough first week after lockdown, losing to the top two Melksham and VFC Devizes in the space of four days last week. They were looking to get back on track on Monday night when they entertained Marlborough Town at Green Lane, Devizes. Marlborough, who had been the top veteran’s side in each of the last two seasons, had started to find their form just before lockdown, with two wins in their final three games before the enforced break. In a tight affair Marlborough edged it by the odd goal in three, Michael Martin and Craig Wall, with his fifth of the season, scoring the Marlborough goals, Ryan Keightley with the Amesbury reply which came early in the second half.

On Tuesday evening FC Calne were looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Corsham when they met a St Andrews side who had also tasted defeat in their first fixture after lockdown last week. For the second time this season St Andrews were involved in a game that was to see neither side score and the points were shared. The point saw FC Calne move up a place in the table into fifth spot, whilst St Andrews remained back in ninth place, but six points clear of bottom of the table Chippenham Yard Dogs.

The fixture in the North Wiltshire Veterans Division on Tuesday night saw the two sides in mid-table, Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Stratton Juniors, look to close the gap to the top two. When the two sides had met back in October they had shared six goals and the points, and another close encounter resulted in the second meeting of the sides this season. Once again there were plenty of goals, with Stratton Juniors edging it by the odd goal in five after twice coming back from behind. Steve Shaw put Royal Wootton Bassett Town ahead before Jamie Garbutt equalised from the penalty spot. Jeremy Newton put Royal Wootton Bassett town back in front, but Vince McMackin brought Stratton Juniors back level with a header from a Paul Surridge cross. McMackin then fired in the winner with a great strike from just inside the box for his fourth goal of the season.

This week there was limited league action in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Veterans’ divisions with eight sides involved in the outstanding First Round games in the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup. Just three league matches took place.

On Monday evening Bradford Town picked up their biggest win of the season with a 6-0 triumph over Trowbridge Tigers. By scoring six goals they moved level not only on points with Corsham Town in third place in the table but also goal difference. Pete Ayrton and Sam Gooding both scored their first goals of the season, both bagging a brace, and there was also two more goals for Kane Scott who moved onto three for the season.

The one game on Tuesday evening at New College in the North Division saw Redhouse look to maintain their 100% winning record and move level on points with KMLC at the top of the table with a win against Swindon Rovers. Swindon Rover’s last game before lockdown had seen them defeat Royal Wootton Bassett Town in the Wiltshire Veteran’s Cup and they were looking to maintain that winning feeling after the long break. However, the Redhouse side proved too strong on the night recording their biggest win of the season so far, 7-2 the final score. Chris Hughes fired a hat-trick, with David Rendle and Michael Lichota both scoring twice, Richard Miles and Damian Gwazeni replying for Swindon Rovers. The win saw Redhouse join KMLC at the top of the table and whilst they have an inferior goal difference they have a game in hand over their main rivals for the title.

A summary of the final league game between Marlborough Town and Melksham Town on Thursday night is shown below, after the round-up of the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup which saw First Round wins for Melksham Town, Corsham Town, FC Calne and Marlborough Town.

On Monday night at the InfiLED Stadium Mid Wiltshire Division leaders Melksham Town found themselves trailing to a Daniel Foster goal against St Andrews but responded with goals of their own from their usual source of Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle, with Thomas Stadden also netting, with his second time this season, as Melksham progressed to Round Two courtesy of a 3-1 win.

Corsham Town made light work of defeating Amesbury Junior who have had a tough run of fixtures since the restart after lockdown. Monday night’s encounter saw Simon Gray fire a hat-trick for Corsham, taking his total to seven for the season, Adam Taylor scored twice and there was a first of the season for Chris Jones as Corsham ran out 6-0 winners on the night.

FC Calne also join Corsham and Melksham in the Second Round of the County Cup after a 4-1 win against Chippenham Yard Dogs on the same night, amongst the goal scorers for FC Calne were Adam O’Keeffe, Tristan Garland and Kieran McLauglin.

The final game in the First Round of the County Cup competition took place on Tuesday evening and saw Marlborough Town join the other seven sides in the draw for Round Two with a 4-0 win over AFC Swindon from the North Division. Craig Wall led the way with a hat-trick, taking his total for the season to eight, Anthony Clark with the other goal for Marlborough. Marlborough’s win means that there will be five representatives from the Mid Wiltshire Division in the last eight, all of whom are in the top six in the league table, with three from the North Division, including the current top two KMLC and Redhouse.

The full summary of the First Round results is shown below along with details of the Second Round draw, which was made by the Wiltshire FA today. The tie of the round looks to be the one which sees Redhouse, the unbeaten joint-leaders of the North Wiltshire Division take on Melksham Town, the league leaders of the Mid Wiltshire Division, who are also unbeaten. Dates and times for these games will be advised in due course.

Wiltshire FA Veterans’ County Cup             

Season 2020-21               

First Round         

Chippenham T YD  1 FC Calne 4

Corsham Town  6 Amesbury Junior 0

KMLC  3 Bradford Town 1

Marlborough Town 4 AFC Swindon 0

Melksham Town 3 St Andrews 1

Redhouse 4 Stratton Juniors 2

Royal W. Bassett T 2 Swindon Rovers 4

Trowbridge Tigers 0 VFC Devizes 2

Second Round Draw

Marlborough Town Vets v Corsham Town Vets

VFC Devizes Vets v FC Calne Adults Veterans

Redhouse FC Vets v Melksham Town FC Vets

Swindon Rovers FC Vets v KMLC Vets

After their cup wins earlier in the week, Marlborough Town and Melksham Town met in the Mid Wiltshire Division on Thursday night. In a hard-fought contest Marlborough Town became the first side this season to take points off Melksham Town as the two sides drew 1-1. League leaders Melksham went ahead on nine minutes, the leading scorer in the two Veterans’ divisions, Charlie Griffin, with the goal. Marlborough drew level on 19 minutes, the ball was deflected to Marlborough's winger and his cross was met by Craig Wall who headed home for his ninth of the season to make it 1-1. It remained all square at the break. Whilst Melksham were on top for most of the second half, a combination of some resolute defending and missed chances meant Marlborough held on and became the first side to avoid being beaten by Melksham this season. Following tonight’s draw, Melksham are now three points clear at the top but VFC Devizes have a game in hand, whilst Marlborough climb to fifth spot in the table.

All three sides at the top of the table in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League were in action on Monday night and between them the three sides scored an impressive 23 goals.

Division leaders Melksham Town met St Andrews, who they had beaten the previous week 3-1 in the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup. Once again Melksham tasted victory with an impressive performance which saw them hit five unanswered goals against their opponents. For once it was not their normal source of goals that did the damage, with David Clayton (2) and Robert Cousins scoring the first goals of the season and Thomas Staddon and Barry Holloway with the other two goals in a 5-0 win. The victory over St Andrews maintained Melksham’s three point lead at the top of the table with second placed VFC Devizes also registering a big win the same night.

VFC Devizes completed a quick-fire double over Amesbury Junior with an emphatic 9-0 win, going one better than the eight they had scored in the earlier meeting just after the end of lockdown. Player manager Craig Townsend bagged a brace, taking him to double figures for the season, and there was also two goals from both Lee Jackson and Nick Oram. The remaining three goals were scored by Jonathan Couch, Gary Campbell and an own goal. VFC Devizes remain three points behind Melksham but with a game in hand and, thanks this big win, the goal difference margin is now just one goal ahead of next week’s top of the table clash between the two sides at the InfiLED Stadium.

Corsham Town in third spot in the table also registered a 9-0 win, their latest triumph coming against Chippenham Town Yard Dogs, to stay in touch with the top two. Simon Gray led the way with a hat-trick, James Lye bagged a brace and there were further goals from Adam Taylor, Luke Chapman, James Bamford and Ross Hall. Corsham remain six points behind VFC Devizes but with a game in hand on them and two games in hand on the leaders Melksham Town. After this latest win Corsham are now unbeaten in seven games, six of which have been won. Their only defeat so far was in their opening game with Melksham and are certainly going to have a big say in the title race.

On Tuesday night Marlborough Town continued their recent good form with a 4-1 win over Trowbridge Tigers. Craig Wall was once again amongst the goals for Marlborough, taking his total for the season into double figures, with the other Marlborough goals coming from Lee Bailey, Richard Clark and an own goal, Andrew Foot with the Trowbridge Tigers goal. Marlborough are now unbeaten in four since the re-start of football after lockdown and moved level on points with fourth placed Bradford Town as a result of the win.

In the North Division, Swindon Rovers climbed up to fourth place in the table with a hard fought 2-1 win over Royal Wootton Bassett Town. After losing to the same opponents 5-0 in their opening league fixture of the season Rovers have now done a league and cup double over Royal Wootton Bassett, having also knocked them out of the Veterans’ County Cup. A first half goal from Richard Miles, who moved his total to eight for the season, and a second half strike from Lee Holland secured the points for Rovers, Jeremy Newton with the reply for Royal Wootton Bassett Town.

All the focus in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division on Monday night was on the top of the table with all of the top five sides in action. The big match of the night was at the InfiLED Stadium where top of the table Melksham Town entertain second placed VFC Devizes. Both sides went into the game unbeaten with Melksham three points ahead of their nearest rivals having played one game more. Melksham created a number of early chances, but it took until the fifteenth minute for them to go in front and once again they had leading scorer Charlie Griffin to thank for the goal as he moved onto sixteen for the season. Melksham continued to dominate for much of the remainder of the half and the start of the second but were wasteful in front of goal and could not add to their tally. In the closing stages Devizes were on top as they went in search of the equaliser and went close with a free kick from Stephen Campbell but the equalise proved elusive as Melksham held on to claim the three points and open up a six-point lead at the top although Devizes still have that game in hand.

It was also a tight affair in the first half at Corsham Town’s Southbank Ground on Monday night when Marlborough Town were the visitors in another top end of the table clash. The two defences were on top in the first half as the sides turned around with the game still looking for the first goal of the night. However, it was a completely different story after the break as Corsham fired in three quick goals before Marlborough’s leading scorer Craig Wall pulled one back for the visitors. Corsham restored their three-goal advantage with a powerful shot seven minutes from time and then added a fifth from a corner with the last action of the night. There were five different scorers for the home side with Daniel Beck, Ibrahim Bigger, Craig Gingell and Jonathan Scott all scoring their first league goals of the season and James Lye netting for the fifth time as it finished 5-1 to Corsham. Next Monday sees Melksham Town visit the Southbank Ground in another top of the table clash as Corsham look to avenge their only defeat of the season which came in their opening fixture. With Corsham now unbeaten in eight, seven of which have been won, the game on Monday is massive in terms of the destination of the Mid Wiltshire Veteran’s Division title.

Bradford Town have been in good form of late and that continued Monday night with a 2-0 home win against Chippenham Town Yard Dogs thanks to goals from Steve Munday and Ralph Plummer. That is now four wins in the last five games for Bradford Town who sit fourth in the table, the only defeat in that spell of games a narrow 2-1 reverse against the leaders Melksham at the InfiLED. Indeed, the only defeats in the league this season have come against the top three, all by narrow margins, so it will be interesting to see if Bradford Town can take their improved form into the return games against these sides and impact the destiny of the league title. Next week they play bottom of the table Chippenham Town Yard Dogs at Stanley Park as they look to break into the top three.

On Tuesday evening two sides, FC Calne and Trowbridge Tigers, who were both in need of a league win after failing to record a league victory since the restart after lockdown, met at Green Lane. In a close game a solitary strike by Tristan Garland settled matters in FC Calne’s favour as Trowbridge fell to their fifth straight defeat in all competitions. FC Calne remain in sixth spot in the table but drew level on points with Marlborough Town having played one game more, the Tigers remain in eighth place. FC Calne are back in league action a week Thursday with a trip to the InfiLED for an encounter against the divisional leaders Melksham. Trowbridge meanwhile will look to end their barren run next Monday against Amesbury Junior who sit just a point above them in the table having played two games more than the Tigers.

In the North Division, Redhouse maintained their 100% winning start to the season with a convincing 11-1 win against bottom of the table AFC Swindon. AFC Swindon did have the consolation of registering their first goal of the season, albeit that it was an own goal scored by a Redhouse player, and had no answer against a rampant Redhouse side led by Dave Rendle. Rendle smashed a double hat-trick as he took his total for the season to fifteen, James Aghabi bagged a brace and there were further goals for Chris Hughes, Michael Lichota and Johnny Coole. The win saw Redhouse move three points clear of KMLC at the top of the table as the North Division formally reached the half-way stage with all teams having now played five games. AFC Swindon are back in action next Tuesday when they play Royal Wootton Bassett Town who sit just above them in the league table.

The title race in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division was thrown wide open on a wet and windy Monday night as Corsham Town finally ended Melksham Town’s unbeaten run in a game played in atrocious conditions. The first half saw Corsham with the wind behind them but they were unable to take full advantage and the two sides turned round at the break with the game still looking for the first goal. The difficult conditions continued in the second half but Simon Gray went close to putting the home side in front midway through the half, but the chance was missed. However, a few minutes later the same player made no mistake as he finally put the home side Corsham in front with his eleventh goal of the campaign. It remained a tight game with Melksham looking to get back into the match and maintain that unbeaten record. In the last ten minutes Melksham laid siege to the Corsham goal as they went in search of an equaliser. Five minutes from time a golden opportunity fell to the division’s leading scorer Charlie Griffin, normally so assured in front of goal, on this occasion he missed the chance and it remained 1-0 to Corsham. Three minutes from time Melksham thought they had a penalty when Francis Coleman went down in the penalty box but their claims for a spot kick were denied by the referee. Then, as the game went into the final minute, it looked like Melksham had finally got the elusive equaliser when Thomas Staddon had the ball in the net, only for the celebrations to be cut short as the goal was chalked off by a flag for offside. Melksham manager Darren Perrin commenting after the game noted that: “both sides deserved great credit for a game played in shocking conditions, with Corsham just about shading it on the night”.

The win for Corsham meant that the top three sides in the division have all now dropped five points. Melksham remain six points clear at the top but both VFC Devizes and Corsham Town have two games in hand on the leaders and can draw level if they win those games in hand. Both Corsham and Melksham also still have to travel to Devizes in their remaining fixtures as the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division looks set for a very exciting finish. 

On the same wet and windy night Trowbridge Tigers picked up their third win of the season at Green lane with a good all round performance in a 2-0 success over Amesbury Junior. Leading scorer Clifford Sayki got both the goals taking his total for the season to five. The victory saw the Tigers move above their opponents in the league table into seventh place.

On Tuesday night, just a week after they met for the first time at Bradford Town’s ground, Chippenham Town Yard Dogs and Bradford met again, this time at Stanley Park. In a repeat of the score line the previous week Bradford Town were 2-0 winners, Sam Gooding with both goals as he moved onto four for the season. Bradford Town remain in fourth place three points behind VFC Devizes and Corsham Town having played one game more.

The same night Marlborough Town returned to winning ways after last week’s defeat at Corsham with a 4-1 success over St Andrews. Two goals for Leigh Wells plus one each for Michael Martin and Doug Imrie gave Marlborough the three points. The luck did not go St Andrews way as they missed a penalty but the one goal they did score came courtesy of Jack Heard. Marlborough remain in fifth place in the table three points behind Bradford Town.

The one game in the North Division this week saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town return to winning ways after a couple of defeats since the restart after lockdown. Two goals from Steve Shaw plus one from Andy Huggins gave Royal Wootton Bassett a 3-1 win over AFC Swindon. Whilst still without a point, AFC Swindon’s player manager Marc Cowan became the first AFC Swindon player to find the back of the net this season as his side registered a goal in consecutive weeks after breaking their duck last week with an own goal. The win saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town climb a couple of places in the table but they have some tough fixtures still to come with three of their last four games against the top two Redhouse and KMLC.

There is one more game involving sides from the Veterans’ Divisions this week with VFC Devizes and FC Calne set to meet in their Second Round Wiltshire FA County Cup fixture this coming Friday at Green Lane, Devizes.

This week saw a mix of league fixtures and Second Round games in the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup for our Veterans’ sides.

Action in the County Cup started last Friday when VFC Devizes carried over their league form into the County Cup competition, securing a 4-2 win over FC Calne at Green Lane. It was very much the Nick Oram show as the VFC Devizes player struck four times in the opening half for his side. Goals in reply for FC Calne from Stuart Ballinger and Ben Trafford were not enough to prevent VFC Devizes making it through to the semi-final. 

Action from VFC Devizes v FC Calne in the Wiltshire Veterans' County Cup (pictures courtesy of David Giles)

More photos from this game taken by David Giles can be viewed on the league’s Facebook Group page.

Tuesday night in the County Cup saw the current top of the table sides in both the North Division and the Mid Wiltshire Division meet at New College where Redhouse from the North entertained Melksham Town. Redhouse went into the game having won all five of their opening league fixtures, whilst Melksham had only recently lost their own unbeaten record when they had down to a single goal defeat at Corsham but had won nine of their eleven league games to date. On the night Melksham proved too strong for their Swindon based opponents, the experienced strike force of Steve Tweedle and Charlie Griffin once again doing the damage in a 3-1 win for the visitors. Tweedle put Melksham in front in the first half and two goals from leading scorer Charlie Griffin just after the break sealed the win. Redhouse continued to work hard to get themselves back in the game and were rewarded with a consolation goal five minutes from time from their leading scorer Dave Rendle. In the battle of the divisional leaders, it was Melksham Town who join VFC Devizes in the last four.

The remaining two ties in the quarter finals are between Marlborough Town and Corsham Town, which is scheduled for this coming Friday, and Swindon Rovers and KMLC which is at New College next Tuesday.

The league action in the Mid Wiltshire Division commenced on Monday night when VFC Devizes were back in action looking to close the gap at the top to leaders Melksham Town. Opponents Bradford Town were in good form and a tough game was anticipated and so it proved. Nick Oram put Devizes ahead on 16 minutes, continuing where he left off on Friday, and it remained just the one at the half-time interval. Mid-way through the second half Jonathan Couch added a second for Devizes to wrap up the points and move VFC Devizes to within three points of Melksham with a game in hand.

Action from VFC Devizes 2-0 win over Bradford Town (pictures courtesy of David Giles)

Once again more photos from this game taken by David Giles can be viewed on the league’s Facebook Group page.

The same night a goal in each half from Simon Gray and James Lye gave Corsham Town a 2-0 away win against bottom side Chippenham Yard Dogs. The last time they had met Corsham had inflicted a heavy defeat on Chippenham, hitting nine unanswered goals and credit to Chippenham Yard Dogs for their improvement in recent weeks and that first point of the season cannot be too far away. That was the eighth straight win for Corsham Town, who are now unbeaten in ten since their opening day defeat to Melksham, and they remain level with VFC Devizes, just three points behind Melksham and also with a game in hand.

Tuesday night saw St Andrews end a run of seven games without a win as they defeated Trowbridge Tigers 3-1 at Bradford On Avon Sports Club. Daniel Foster put them one up and an own goal plus one from Oliver Howe secured the three points, Phil Lewis replying for Trowbridge Tigers with his third of the season.

The same night Marlborough Town picked up a narrow 2-1 win over Amesbury Junior, an identical score to that when the sides had met last month. Michael Martin had scored that night and he was once again amongst the goals for Marlborough, Leigh Wells netting his fifth of the campaign with the other Marlborough goal. Ben Taylor-Brown replied for Amesbury who are having a tough run of results, the defeat against Marlborough being their ninth straight defeat and they will hope to bring their miserable run against Trowbridge Tigers next week.

As well as the game at New College in the Veterans’ County Cup, there was also league action in the North Division with Stratton Juniors playing on their senior pitch at Meadowcroft, rather than at New College, against Swindon Rovers. A fifth of the season for Vince McMackin plus a first of the season for Neil Tonner secured a 2-0 win for Stratton which saw them climb to third place in the table, two points behind second placed KMLC having played one game more. Stratton are back in action at Meadowcroft next Tuesday when they host league leaders Redhouse.

On behalf of the Management Committee a big thank you to all the clubs who are making their grass pitches available to get games played earlier than would otherwise have been the case utilising the hired facilities at Green Lane and New College.

Ahead of two more games on Thursday night, the Mid Wiltshire Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League currently has a three-way tie at the top of the table with Corsham Town, VFC Devizes and Melksham Town all level on 28 points after playing 11 games. VFC Devizes and Corsham Town moved level on points with Melksham with wins on Monday night, with Corsham Town the new leaders on goal difference.

Corsham moved to the top of the table with their tenth consecutive win in all competitions and twelfth game unbeaten in what is turning out to be a very impressive run, hitting five unanswered goals at the Southbank Ground against St Andrews. Two for Ibrahim Bigger plus one apiece for Ross Hall, Adam Taylor and Luke Chapman secured the victory. The previous Friday Corsham had progressed to the semi-final of the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup with a 4-1 away win at Marlborough Town in a game played at Marlborough Town’s senior side's pitch rather than the normal Vets home venue of Green Lane, Devizes. On target for Corsham that night were Stuart Skinner with two, Simon Gray and Jonathan Scott, Richard Clark replying for Marlborough.

VFC Devizes also moved level at the top on Monday night with a 4-1 away win against Chippenham Yard Dogs. Two first half goals from Chris Underwood set them on their way before leading scorer Nick Oram extended the lead ten minutes into the second half. A fourth from Scott Sartin five minutes from time made sure of the three points.

Action from VFC Devizes 4-1 win over Chippenham Town Yard Dogs (pictures courtesy of David Giles)

More photos from this game taken by David Giles can be viewed on the league’s Facebook Group page.

With the clubs above them winning it was important for Bradford Town in fourth spot to stay in touch with a win against FC Calne on Monday night. Two goals from their leading scorer Rhys Schell, taking him into double figures for the season, plus further goals from Peter Ayrton and Nicholas Ross secured a 4-0 win at Green Lane.

The following evening two sides much in need of a win met at Green Lane. Amesbury Junior went into the game against opponents Trowbridge Tigers with just one win in their previous twelve games and were on a run of nine straight defeats, whilst Trowbridge had just one win in their last seven games and that coming against Amesbury a fortnight ago. Amesbury went ahead with a goal from Ben Taylor-Brown but the Tigers were soon level, Lee Mattravis bringing his side back into the game. However, parity did not last long as Anthony Sharps put Amesbury back in front ahead of the half time break. It looked like Amesbury would avenge that earlier defeat and secure the win that would end that barren run but the Tigers leading marksmen Clifford Sakyi denied them the victory, scoring an equaliser five minutes from time.

League action in the North Division once again was based on grass at Meadowcroft where home side Stratton Juniors continued their impressive form of late inflicting a first defeat of the season on league leaders Redhouse, Vince McMackin with his sixth of the season and a fourth of the season from Jamie Ashby giving Stratton the points in a 2-0 win. The win lifted Stratton up to second spot in the table, two points behind Redhouse having played one more game.

KMLC are one place behind Stratton but with two games in hand and on Tuesday night became the fourth and final semi-finalist in the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup with a 4-0 win over Swindon Rovers. Two goals from Paul Cooper plus one from both Gary Ashford and Neil Matthews secured the semi-final place for KMLC.

The Wiltshire FA have today advised the draw for those semi-finals which sees KMLC, the sole representative from the North Division travel to Melksham Town whilst VFC Devizes are home to Corsham Town in the other semi-final.

Wiltshire Veterans’ County Cup Semi Final Draw

Melksham Town v KMLC

VFC Devizes v Corsham Town

The semi-final games will be arranged and dates advised shortly with the cup final itself set for Green Lane on Friday 11^th June. 

Two of the top three in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division were in action last might as Melksham Town hosted FC Calne at the InfiLED and Corsham Town hosted Trowbridge Tigers in a game switched to the Southbank Ground.

After the evenings’ entertainment had ended Melksham Town had taken over from Corsham at the top of the table on goal difference following a 7-0 win over their visitors from Calne. Former Chippenham Town striker Steve Tweddle led the way scoring four, strike partner Charlie Griffin scored one, with both the top two Melksham strikers now on 16 league goals for the season, with Griffin having scored one more than Tweddle in the County Cup to head the leading strikers’ table. The other two Melksham goals on the night were scored by Gary Horgan and Rob Cousins.

It was not such a comfortable evening for Corsham Town who had led the table on goal difference at the start of the evening. They were pushed all the way by opponents Trowbridge Tigers and there was certainly no repeat of the 7-0 score line when the sides had met earlier in the season. Corsham eventually edged it 2-1 thanks to goals from Jonathan Scott and Lee Burns to extend their winning streak to 13 games in all competitions and 15 games unbeaten. On target for the Tigers, who were excellent on the night, was Clifford Sayki who scored a penalty to take his total for the season to seven.

Next week both Melksham Town and Corsham Town are in Wiltshire FA County Cup action with Melksham Town at home to Swindon side KMLC from the North Division, whilst Corsham Town take on fellow Mid Wiltshire Division side VFC Devizes who sit three points behind the top two in the table having played one game less.

Further action from Trowbridge Tigers v Corsham Town (pictures courtesy of John Cuthbertson)

Monday night saw the two semi-finals in the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup and, as was expected with four of the top sides in the Veterans’ Divisions contesting a place in the final, two close games resulted with just the one goal in total being scored in the two games.

At the InfiLED Melksham Town, current leaders on goal difference in the Mid Wiltshire Division, entertained KMLC from the North Division whose only defeat of the season so far had come against Redhouse, a side Melksham had beaten in the last round of the Veterans’ County Cup. On Monday Melksham dominated possession for much of the first half but their normally prolific strike force were unable to take any of the chances that came their way. Melksham twice hit the woodwork and found KMLC keeper Jason Knight in top form, but it was not all one way as KMLC went close just after half time to breaking the deadlock, Paul Cooper with that chance. Melksham are the equal top scorers in the Mid Wiltshire Division, whilst KMLC have the highest goals per game ratio in the two Divisions but there was to be no goals in normal time in this tense semi-final meaning penalties were needed to decide who progressed to the final. Melksham scored all four of their spot kicks but KMLC hit the bar with one of theirs before Melksham’s Nick Evans pulled off a great save with their fourth to ensure it was Melksham who progressed to the final courtesy of a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win.

As with the game at Melksham it was a tight affair at Green Lane between VFC Devizes and Corsham Town. Once again the two sides turned round at the break with the game still looking for a goal. The deadlock was finally broken in the second half when Simon Gray, who is certainly enjoying this season’s County Cup competition, netted with his fifth goal in this season’s cup campaign and his 14^th of the season in total. The goal was to be the only one of the game meaning it is Corsham Town who will meet Melksham Town in the final of the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup at Green Lane, Devizes on Friday 11^th June.

Further action from VFC Devizes v Corsham Town (pictures courtesy of David Giles)

More of David Giles' excellent photos from this game can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

The league action in the Mid Wiltshire Division on Monday saw FC Calne returning to winning ways after three defeats with a 6-1 away win against bottom of the table Chippenham Yard Dogs at Stanley Park. Both Ben Trafford and Dan Allison bagged a brace and there were further goals from Stuart Ballinger and from Neurin Jones on his debut. The Yard Dogs goal came through Neil Edwards who scored for the second consecutive game for the Chippenham side.

The following night the top match in the Mid Wiltshire Division this week saw Marlborough Town host Bradford Town. When the two sides had met earlier in the season Bradford had run out comfortable 5-1 winners but there was to be no repeat of that score on Tuesday night as Marlborough avenged the earlier defeat. Two goals from Richard Clark plus one for leading score Craig Wall secured a 3-1 win for Marlborough, Sam Gooding with his fifth of the season for Bradford Town.

Stratton Juniors met AFC Swindon at Meadowcroft on Tuesday night in the North Division knowing that if they won and Redhouse slipped up in the later game that night they would be top of the table. Stratton certainly did what they needed to do hitting seven unanswered goals against their opponents. Jamie Ashby led the way with a hat-trick taking his total for the season to seven but with two goals of his own, Vince McMackin remained top of the Stratton goal scorers’ chart as he took his personal total for the season to eight. Neil Tonner scored his second of the season, but the goal of the game was scored by Matthew Bugden, an ever present for Stratton this season, who dribbled the length of the pitch from defence to score his first goal for Stratton in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League.

The 7-0 win over AFC Swindon sent Stratton top of the table just as Redhouse kicked-off their game against Royal Wootton Bassett Town at New College. Stratton’s stay at the top did not last to the end of the evening, as Redhouse made sure they returned back the summit with 4-0 win. On target for Redhouse were James Aghabi, Mikey Lichota, Chris Hughes and a first of the season for Barry Winslow. Next up for Redhouse is a game against KMLC on Tuesday 8^th June which could well end up being a title deciding match in the North Division. Before that Redhouse will be hoping that Stratton Juniors can do them a favour by taking points off KMLC in the game at New College next Tuesday in what will be Stratton’s penultimate game of the season.

A somewhat quieter week in the Veterans’ Divisions with just the four games played, three in the Mid Wiltshire Division and just the one in the North Division.

In the Mid Wiltshire Division all the top three were in action in the week and all three picked up a win. On Monday night Corsham Town were comfortable 9-0 winners over Amesbury Junior. Stuart Skinner bagged a brace to move onto nine for the season and there were further goals from player manager Chris Jones, leading scorer Simon Gray, Daniel Beck, Ibrahim Bigger, Russell Lodge and substitutes Jonathan Scott and Nathan Sheridan.

VFC Devizes were in action the same night against Trowbridge Tigers. Just like Corsham Town had found recently, the Tigers are a much-improved side of late and Devizes were made to work really hard for the three points. In the end a solitary strike from Marcus Wallen in the first half was all that separated the two sides as Devizes ensured they stayed in touch with the leaders.

Further action from Trowbridge Tigers v VFC Devizes 

(pictures courtesy of David Giles)

The final game in the Mid Wiltshire Division was on Friday night and it saw a comfortable win for Melksham Town against bottom of the table Chippenham Town Yard Dogs. The leading scorer in the two Veterans’ divisions, Charlie Griffin, was once again amongst the goals bagging a brace, strike partner Steve Tweddle added one to his own total and there were further goals through Robert Cousins, Thomas Staddon and Simon Charity. The win moved Melksham Town back level on points with Corsham Town at the top of the table.

The one game in the North Division this week was at the top end of the table between KMLC and Stratton Juniors. Whilst Stratton Juniors, who sat second in the table ahead of the game, were playing their penultimate fixture, KMLC still had four more to play after Tuesday’s encounter and are expected to be the side that will challenge leaders Redhouse for the title. If Stratton were to remain in the title race though they knew they really needed to win against KMLC, which would have taken them top of the table. In the end the two sides had to settle for a point apiece as they fought out a 2-2 draw and both remained in the same position in the table as they had started the night. On target for Stratton Juniors were Vince McMackin with his ninth of the season and Jamie Griffin. The KMLC goals came courtesy of Nick McCrae and Paul Cooper. No doubt Redhouse were the big winners with the result as their two rivals for the title both dropped two points. The key game in the division is the coming Tuesday night when Redhouse and KMLC meet up. If Redhouse can avoid defeat in this one they will put themselves in pole position to lift the North Division title.

The title race in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division looks like it could go all the way to the final game of the season as VFC Devizes joined Corsham Town and Melksham Town on 34 points at the top of the table after a 3-1 win over Marlborough Town on Tuesday night. All three sides have now played thirteen games each, winning eleven and drawing one. Two first half goals from leading scorer Nick Oram set Devizes on their way against Marlborough as he moved onto sixteen for the season, VFC Devizes other goal was scored by Jonathan Couch, Richard Clark replying for Marlborough. An excellent set of pictures from this game taken by David Giles can be viewed  on the League's Facebook Group page.

Further action from  VFC Devizes v Marlborough Town 

(pictures courtesy of David Giles)

Elsewhere in the Mid Wiltshire Division there were wins for Bradford Town, FC Calne and St Andrews. Bradford Town were the big winners of the week, putting eight past Amesbury Junior who were playing their penultimate game of the season. Nicholas Ross led the way for Bradford netting four goals, leading scorer Rhys Schell bagged a brace and there was one apiece for Peter Ayrton and David Redfern.

Trowbridge Tigers had given both Corsham Town and VFC Devizes Town a tough game in recent weeks, only losing both games by the odd goal, and were hoping to build on those performances when they met FC Calne on Monday night. FC Calne had beaten the Tigers 1-0 at the end of April but had then lost three on the bounce before ending that losing run a fortnight ago against bottom side Chippenham Yard Dogs. It was another close game but once again FC Calne got the better of the Tigers winning by the odd goal in three to complete a league double over their opponents, Kyle Balloch with both FC Calne goals, Kieran Prince replying for the Tigers.

The final game in the Mid Wiltshire Division was between two sides in need of a win at the bottom end of the table. Chippenham Town Yard Dogs were still looking for their first point of the season whilst St Andrews had only won two of their opening ten games ahead of Tuesday night’s match, having beaten the Yard Dogs in the first fixture between the sides and also beaten Trowbridge Tigers. Yard Dogs search for that first point of the season continues as St Andrews registered their third win of the season, Oliver Howe leading the way, firing a hat-trick in a 5-1 win, a Tim Richards penalty and a first of the season from Dominic Shepherd completing the scoring for St Andrews.

The top league game of the week was in the North Division on Tuesday night where Redhouse knew that if they could avoid defeat against KMLC they would be in the driving seat to lift the divisional title. However, things did not go to plan as two goals in each half saw KMLC avenge the 2-0 defeat they had suffered at the hands of Redhouse back in September. Leading scorer Nick McCrae set KMLC on their way with the opener on nine minutes and Ian Fawkes extended the lead three minutes later. Gary Ashford made it 3-0 midway through the second half before McCrae rounded off the scoring on the night with his second of the game seven minutes from time to complete a 4-0 victory for KMLC over their nearest rivals. Redhouse now have two games remaining against the bottom two sides AFC Swindon and Swindon Rovers, whilst KMLC have to also play Swindon Rovers as well as two games against Royal Wootton Bassett Town. If KMLC win all three of their remaining games they will be crowned divisional winners as they sit just two points behind Redhouse with that game in hand.

After this week’s league action, the other big game this week is in the final of the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup on Friday night at Green Lane Devizes, when two of the leading sides from the Mid Wiltshire Division, Corsham Town and Melksham Town do battle for the newest of the prestigious County Cup competitions organised by the Wiltshire FA. The two league meetings between the sides this season have resulted in one win for each side. Back in September Melksham were 4-1 winners at the InfiLED Stadium, Charlie Griffin hitting a hat-trick that night. Corsham Town avenged that early season defeat in the return fixture at the beginning of May, a solitary goal from Simon Gray being the difference between the sides in a game played in extremely difficult conditions at the Southbank Ground. Corsham go into Friday night’s game on the back of an impressive winning run that now stretches to thirteen games in all competitions, whilst Melksham’s only defeat so far this season came in that game at Corsham in May. It certainly should be a close and interesting game between the two sides on Friday night with three of the division’s top strikers in action. Melksham’s Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle are the two leading scorers in the Veterans' League, whilst Corsham's Simon Gray is not far being the two and is the leading scorer in this season’s County Cup competition. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7.15pm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Melksham Town Vets v Corsham Town Vets

Pictures taken by John Cuthbertson

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

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

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

After the excitement of the Veterans’ County Cup Final last week, it was back to league action for both Melksham Town and Corsham Town this week with some important games at the top of the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League.

On Monday night Corsham Town travelled to Bradford-on-Avon knowing that nothing less than a win would suffice against a good Bradford Town side if they were to maintain their push for the league title. Two goals in each half ensured their title challenge stayed on track following a 4-0 win. Two goals from Jonathan Scott, one from Stuart Skinner and an own goal doing the damage for Corsham who moved three points clear of their two nearest rivals Melksham Town and VFC Devizes who were set to meet the following night.

Monday evening also saw action at the bottom end of the table, and it is congratulations to Chippenham Town Yard Dogs who picked up their first win of the season at the fifteenth time of asking, securing a fine 2-1 win over Trowbridge Tigers. On target for the Yard Dogs were Neil Edwards from the penalty spot with his fourth of the season and Gary Knowles, Nick Rose with his first of the season replied for the Tigers.

However, the big game of the week in the Mid Wiltshire Division was on Tuesday night when VFC Devizes in third place hosted Melksham Town in second spot with just goal difference separating the two sides at the start of the night. The game was a crucial one in the title race, with both sides wanting to stay level pegging with Corsham at the top. Gary Campbell put Devizes ahead with a goal on five minutes and it remained 1-0 until five minutes from time when a second from substitute Marcus Wallen for Devizes secured the three points, avenging their earlier defeat at the InfiLED at the end of April. The game between VFC Devizes and Corsham Town at the beginning of July now looks to be the key game in the title race, although both sides cannot afford to slip up in their other games else they could still be pipped by County Cup winners Melksham Town for honours.

An excellent set of pictures from the VFC Devizes v Melksham Town game taken by David Giles can be viewed  on the League's Facebook Group page.

Further action from  VFC Devizes v Melksham Town 

(pictures courtesy of David Giles)

Two games this week in the North Division with AFC Swindon looking to emulate Chippenham Yard Dogs and pick up their first points of the season with a win against Swindon Rovers but unfortunately for them it was not to be. A hat-trick from Richie Lester and a goal from Tom Bailey, both players scoring for the first time this season, secured a 4-0 win for Swindon Rovers. As a result of the win Rovers moved up a place in the table to fourth spot.

On Wednesday evening KMLC met Royal Wootton Bassett Town at the Gerard Buxton Ground knowing that a win would take them top of the table. In a close game KMLC had to wait until three minutes from time to get themselves in front, for what proved to be the winner. The goal came from the penalty spot, Ian Fawkes putting the spot kick away. KMLC are now a point clear of Redhouse at the top with both sides having two games to play. Both teams have to play Swindon Rovers and the other games see Redhouse play bottom of the table AFC Swindon and KMLC play the return match against Royal Wootton Bassett Town.

Just three games in the Veterans’ Divisions this week with all three being in the Mid Wiltshire Division. Both the two sides at the top of the table were in action and both continued their quest to lift the league title.

On Monday night VFC Devizes met bottom of the table Chippenham Town Yard Dogs who came into the game with added confidence on the back of their first win of the season last week. However, there was to be no repeat victory for the Yard Dogs as three first half goals effectively wrapped the game up in the first half for Devizes. Two goals from Nick Oram, who moved on to 18 for the season, and an ­­­early strike from Scott Sartin gave VFC Devizes that 3-0 lead. Devizes did not add to their score after the break and Neil Edwards replied for the Yard Dogs with a late consolation goal from the penalty spot, his fifth goal of the campaign. The win saw VFC Devizes move top of the league at least overnight, but with title rivals Corsham scheduled to play their game the following night.

Monday night also saw FC Calne’s recent good form continue as they made it three wins on the bounce with a 2-1 success away at Bradford Town. Goals from leading scorer Dan Allison and Neurin Jones did the damage for FC Calne, Nicholas Ross with the reply for Bradford Town.

The one game on Tuesday night saw Corsham Town travel to Bradford-on-Avon to meet St Andrews looking to regain that top spot from Devizes. When the two sides had met last month Corsham had hit five unanswered goals to take the three points and, in an early kick-off to enable the players to watch the England game, Corsham once again kept a clean sheet whilst scoring four to return to the summit, ahead of Devizes on goal difference. Corsham led 3-0 at the break but took their foot off the gas second half adding just the one but the four goals now gives Corsham a 12 goal better goal difference than Devizes with three games to go. On target for Corsham in their latest win against St Andrews were James Lye (2), Lee Burns and David Lloyd. The top two sides are set to meet in what is very much looking like a title decider in the first week of July. Before that though Corsham have to play an in-form FC Calne next Wednesday.

There were no games this week in the North Division.

There were four games across the two Veterans’ Divisions this week, with two in each division. The action got underway on Monday night at Green Lane when Trowbridge Tigers, played their last game of the season, entertaining title chasing Melksham Town. Whilst the Tigers became the first side in the Mid Wiltshire Division to play all 18 of their league fixtures there was to be no happy ending as Melksham ran out 6-3 winners on the night. For once the lethal strike force of Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle played a supporting role as Gary Horgan led the way for Melksham with a hat-trick. The league’s two leading scorers were still amongst the goals however, Griffin bagged a brace as he moved onto 25 for the season and Tweddle scored once as he took his personal tally for the season to 20. In reply, Trowbridge leading scorer Clifford Sakyi scored twice to finish on nine goals for the season and a second goal of the season from Lee Mattravis completed the scoring. The win saw Melksham move to within three points of the leading two sides ahead of Corsham’s scheduled game on Wednesday.

The following night Stratton Juniors became the first team in the North Division to complete their league fixtures, securing a 2-2 draw against Swindon Rovers thanks to goals from Samuel Hudson and Vince McMackin. McMackin’s goal took him into double figures for the season as he finished as Stratton’s leading scorer for the second season running. On target for Swindon Rovers were Richie Miles with his ninth of the season and Mark Simpkins.

The week’s action in the Veterans’ Divisions concluded with two games on Wednesday night, one in each division. Corsham Town and VFC Devizes remain the two favourites for the title in the Mid Wiltshire Division with the two set to meet next week. However, ahead of that potential title decider Corsham Town, unbeaten in 14 league games, had a tricky looking fixture against a much-improved FC Calne side who went into the game with Corsham on the back of three straight wins. When the sides had met back in March Corsham had won comfortably 5-1 but it was a much tougher game in the return fixture, Corsham just edging it by the odd goal in a 2-1 score line to keep their title challenge on track. Stuart Skinner and Ibrahim Bigger scored the goals for Corsham, with Simon Oldrid replying for FC Calne. Corsham now go into next Tuesday’s big game with VFC Devizes with a three-point lead having played one game more but having a much better goal difference over their main rivals for the title.

In the North Division a 4-0 win for Royal W. Bassett Town over AFC Swindon on Wednesday night at the Gerard Buxton Ground saw goalkeeper Nick Warren helping his side to only their second clean sheet of the season. At the other end of the pitch the damage was done by Chris Oke who fired a hat-trick for his side, Andrew Huggins with his fifth of the season getting the other goal. The win saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town move above Swindon Rovers on goal difference into fourth spot in the table but having played one game more. Both sides still have to play divisional leaders KMLC with Rovers game in hand being against the other title challengers Redhouse.

Tuesday 6^th July 2021 will be remembered by Italians as the day they beat Spain on penalties to make the final of the Euros, whilst for Corsham Town Vets and KMLC Vets it will be remembered as the day they put one hand on their respective divisional titles with one game to go (and also the day before England also made the final of the Euros).

Green Lane Devizes was the venue for the game between Corsham Town and VFC Devizes, which whilst not quite a shootout for the title, was pretty close to being just that. A win for either side would put them in the driving seat to lift the Mid Wiltshire Divisional title. The sides were meeting for the third time this season and the previous two games had been close affairs. In the first league meeting back in early November the two sides had shared two goals and the points, this game had been the last time that Corsham had not tasted victory in the league, having won all their subsequent league matches since that evening. The two sides had then met again at the end of May in the Wiltshire Veterans’ County Cup and a solitary goal from Simon Gray had seen Corsham Town make the final. The latest meeting had all the potential of being yet another close encounter and so it proved.

With so much residing on the game it could have made for a stand-off approach from both sides but both teams went at it from the off in what Corsham manager Chris Jones described as “a fantastic advert for Vets football with quality nicely intermixed with commitment and aggression”. The first half saw Corsham edge possession and attempts on goal but despite this greater possession the best chance of the half fell to Devizes on a breakaway, with their pacey forward line almost creating a goal which was only thwarted by some last gasp defending.

Devizes started brighter after the break which forced Corsham to juggle their centre midfield three to provide better protection to the back line. This coincided with the introduction of Stuart Skinner, whose skilful approach gave the Devizes defence a different challenge to the more direct, physical and quick Simon Gray. This change paid dividends as Corsham stepped up their game and began to gain control. With twelve minutes remaining a recycled corner saw the ball return to corner taker James Lye on the left who crossed to Russell Lodge at the back post. Lodge’s header back across found the unmarked Skinner who neatly headed in from close range to put Corsham ahead.

Devizes upped the intensity after going behind but were unable to create any clear-cut chances due to some disciplined defending from the Corsham side. It was Corsham who then had the best chance in the final minutes when a well worked passing move down the left came infield to just inside the box which saw Skinner nicely lay off to Lye whose goal bound shot was deflected onto the bar. The game ended 1-0 to Corsham who now need just a point from their final game against Marlborough Town to lift the title. If Corsham were to lose their final league game, something they  have not done since the first game of the season, it would still need Devizes to rack up two big wins in their final two games against St Andrews to take the title, with Corsham’s goal difference currently being +15 better than that of VFC Devizes. VFC Devizes will also still need to win both of their remaining fixtures if they are to secure runners-up spot and will also need to improve their goal difference.

Further action from  VFC Devizes v Corsham Town 

(pictures courtesy of David Giles)

More excellent pictures taken by David Giles from the VFC Devizes v Corsham Town game can be viewed on the League Facebook page.

The same evening in Swindon, KMLC went into their meeting with Royal Wootton Bassett Town knowing they needed to win to keep Redhouse at bay in the title race in the North Division. Their previous meeting with Royal Wootton Bassett Town was just a fortnight ago and that night it needed a late penalty from Ian Fawkes to settle matters in KMLC’s favour. Once again Royal Wootton Bassett Town made it difficult for KMLC in the return fixture but for a second time this season against the title favourites they fell to late goals. Once again the player that inflicted the damage was Fawkes, the KMLC player scoring twice in the last five minutes to give his side the three points and give them a four point lead at the top of the table over Redhouse.

Both KMLC and Redhouse have Swindon Rovers still to play and Redhouse then have one further game against an AFC Swindon side still looking for their first points of the season. Redhouse play both their two games before KMLC see action again and even if they win both it will not be enough to pip KMLC if KMLC then defeat Swindon Rovers in the final fixture of the season in the North Division.

There were two further games in the Mid Wiltshire Division on Monday night with wins for both Bradford Town and Marlborough Town. A hat-trick from Sam Gooding plus one from David Percival secured a 4-2 win for Bradford Town over St Andrews, Jack Heard and Steve Jackson from the penalty spot replying for the visitors. Bradford Town remain in fourth spot but could still be overtaken by Marlborough Town who picked up all three points in their game against bottom of the table Chippenham Town Yard Dogs, Rich Clark scoring twice in a 3-0 win, George Flippance with the other Marlborough Town goal.

It is congratulations to KMLC who were crowned champions of the North Wiltshire Veterans’ Division on Tuesday night with a game to spare. This is because of Swindon Rovers impressive 4-1 win over a Redhouse side who needed to win to retain any chance of pipping KMLC. The win for Swindon Rovers represented their best result of the season and it was Mark Simpkins who led the way firing a hat-trick to end Redhouse’s hopes of the title, Richie Lester with the other Redhouse goal, Nolan Paul replying for Redhouse with his fifth goal of the season. There are now just two games to go in the Division. Redhouse are in action again next week when they take on AFC Swindon with AFC looking to see if they can pick up some points in their final game of the season. The following week the final game in the Division sees KMLC and Swindon Rovers in action.

There were three games in the Mid Wiltshire Division this week starting at Green Lane, Devizes on Monday night when fifth placed Marlborough Town met FC Calne one place below them. A close game was expected and so it proved as the two sides shared four goals and the points. On target for Marlborough Town were Richard Clark and Leigh Wells, with Stephen Kennedy and Ben Trafford, with his sixth of the season, replying for FC Calne. Marlborough remain three points ahead of FC Calne with a much superior goal difference, with their final game against champions elect Corsham Town, whilst FC Calne meet St Andrews in their final game of the season.

The following night, again at Green Lane, the bottom two sides in the table, Chippenham Town Yard Dogs and Amesbury Junior played their final games of the season.  A solitary goal from Hammie Brown gave Amesbury Junior the three points and the win lifted them out of the bottom two as they moved above Trowbridge Tigers to finish in eighth place.

The final game of the week was at Bradford Town’s ground where VFC Devizes, still with an outside chance of the league title and needing to improve their goal difference to catch Melksham Town for runners-up, were St Andrews’ visitors. On a warm and muggy evening not only did the faint hope of the title disappear for Devizes they also can now no longer finish as runners-up as they were held to a 2-2 draw by St Andrews, with the St Andrews equaliser agonisingly coming with what was just about the last kick of the game. St Andrews started the stronger team and took a first half lead through Steve Jackson against a Devizes side missing a few key players. Second half started evenly matched but halfway through VFC Devizes Leigh Blanchard was sin binned and it looked bleak for their quest for honours. However, despite the numerical disadvantage, VFC Devizes managed to pull a goal back when a Gareth Evans long throw was headed in by Rob Hannah to make it 1-1.  Then, a few moments later, the game swung VFC Devizes way when Evans went in for a 50/50 challenged with the St Andrews keeper and the ball bounced in off Evans’s leg to make it 1-2 to VFC Devizes. St Andrew’s went in search of an equaliser and with five minutes to go, were denied by a great save from Devizes keeper Nathan Palmer. However, St Andrews were not to be denied as from the resulting corner Steve Jackson scored his second of the game, the last gasp equaliser breaking Devizes hearts as their quest for honours was ended with no time left to respond.

VFC Devizes draw means, as long as Corsham Town avoid the unlikely scenario of a double figure defeat in their final game against Marlborough Town they will be crowned champions of the division, with Melksham Town runners-up.

The big game of the week in the Veterans’ Divisions between Marlborough Town and Corsham Town unfortunately did not take place as Marlborough Town called off a fixture for the third time this season. The postponement of the game confirms Corsham Town as champions of the Mid Wiltshire Division, so well done to Chris Jones and his side who, having lost their opening game, then went unbeaten in the league for the rest of the season winning all but one of the games in that run.

The one game that was played in the Mid Wiltshire Division this week saw FC Calne and St Andrews involved in a rare 0-0 draw on Monday night, just the third such goalless of the season in the two Veterans’ Divisions, with St Andrews being involved in all three including the first meeting with FC Calne. On this occasion St Andrews had keeper Stuart Powell to thank for the clean sheet, his one handed save denying FC Calne the three points.

In the North Division, Redhouse completed their fixtures for the season with a convincing 6-0 win over bottom of the table to finish three points clear of Stratton Juniors to secure runners-up spot. Leading scorer Dave Rendle led the way firing a hat-trick to take his total for the season to 19, with Anthony McCusker, Mikey Lichota and Chris Hughes with the other Redhouse goals.

There is now just one fixture to go in each division to complete the season. North Division champions KMLC finish the season with a game against a much improved Swindon Rovers, whilst in the Mid Wiltshire Division third place VFC Devizes meet a St Andrews side who ended their chance of honours last week when holding Devizes to a 2-2 draw with the last kick of the game.

The curtain finally came down on the extended 2020-21 Season this week with the final two games in the two Veterans’ Divisions. On Monday night in the Mid Wiltshire Division, having just missed out on honours after a good season, VFC Devizes staged their final game of the season at Devizes Town’s Nursteed Road ground, their permanent home ground from next season. There was to be no winning start at their new venue though, as St Andrews spoiled the party with another impressive performance in an entertaining fixture. Two goals from Dom Shepherd and Oli Turner secured a 2-1 win for the visitors who extended their unbeaten run to three games which bodes well for next season. VFC Devizes reply came courtesy of Chris Underwood.

Action from the game between VFC Devizes and St Andrews (pictures courtesy of David Giles)

More of David's excellent pictures can be viewed on the League's Facebook Group Page

In the North Division, divisional champions KMLC ended their campaign with a hard fought 3-2 win over Swindon Rovers. Mark Simpkins continued his rich vein of goal scoring form for the Rovers bagging both their goals to make it six for him in the Rovers final three games of the season. His former teammate from the Wootton Bassett Town side of the early 2000s Gary Ashford also bagged a brace for the champions KMLC. Ashford took his total for the season into double figures, as KMLC made it eight wins and one draw from their ten league fixtures to finish four points clear at the top, Paul Cooper with their other goal.

Despite the elongated season the Veteran’s divisions have been a resounding success this season with the influx of new sides, certainly stepping up the standard over the inaugural season. In addition, in the Mid Wiltshire Division, the fact that a number of clubs utilised their own pitches, initially at Melksham Town and Corsham Town, but later joined by Bradford Town, Chippenham Town Yard Dogs and Devizes Town, not only improved the experience for the players but also made it easier for the fixture secretary to ensure the games were played. Some of these clubs also allowed other teams to utilise their grass pitches which greatly assisted the job of scheduling the fixtures and meant the programme could be completed more quickly. In the North Division, Stratton Juniors also starting utilising their grass pitch at Meadowcroft towards the end of the season which again helped expediate matters in the North Division. A big thank you to all the clubs who made their pitches available in this way, it was very much appreciated. The Veterans’ sides must compete with other sides at clubs for the use of the facilities and will often be at the back of the queue behind reserve and U18 sides and the co-operation provided this season in staging games on pitches other than New College and Green Lane has been outstanding.

On the pitch both title races have been exciting affairs. In the North Division, right from the start it looked to be a two-team battle between KMLC and Redhouse for the title, although Stratton Juniors towards the end put some pressure on the top two. After just one win in their first four games, Stratton Juniors went the rest of the season unbeaten in the league, a run which included a win over Redhouse and a draw with KMLC. When the season had been brought to a premature halt in December KMLC headed the table on goal difference from Redhouse, who at that stage had won all three of their games.

When the season finally resumed at the very end of March, KMLC carried on where they had left off, smashing 11 unanswered goals against bottom side AFC Swindon. Redhouse also came back in style, defeating Swindon Rovers 7-2 and then also scoring 11 against AFC Swindon. KMLC then got behind with their league fixtures due to progress in the Veterans’ County Cup and by the beginning of June Redhouse, despite losing to Stratton Juniors, were six points clear of KMLC, who had played two games less, and who had also been overtaken by Stratton.  However, the latter had just two games to play, and no doubt rued the poor start to the season as they ran out of games in their quest for honours. One of those two final games was against KMLC and when the two sides drew 2-2 on the opening day of June the title destiny for Redhouse was very much in their own hands. Avoid defeat against KMLC in their next game and then win their two final games against Swindon Rovers and AFC Swindon and they would be champions.

The big game between the two main title challengers took place on the second Tuesday in June was not the close affair that had been anticipated, as KMLC brushed aside their nearest rivals with a 4-0 victory. Two hard fought wins against Royal Wootton Bassett Town, both games being won with late goals, then put KMLC in pole position. Whilst expecting to have to win their final game against Swindon Rovers to lift the title, a surprise 4-1 defeat for Redhouse at the hands of Swindon Rovers saw KMLC crowned champions before their final game. As noted above they still went out and won that final game against Rovers in another close game that indicates that there should be a few more teams involved in the title race in the North Division in Season 2021-22. Well done to KMLC and Redhouse in taking the title and runners-up spot in the North Division this season. KMLC also made the semi-final of the Wiltshire FA’s Veterans’ County Cup, losing on penalties to eventual winners Melksham Town.

When Corsham Town lost their first game of the season in the Mid Wiltshire Division, 4-1 away at Melksham, few would have anticipated the season the side was to have. This was to be the one and only occasion they tasted defeat in the league and their only other defeat all season came in the final of the Veterans’ County Cup against Melksham Town, one of two sides, the other being VFC Devizes, who were to be their main rivals for the title. Melksham started the season on fire, winning all five of their opening games prior to lockdown, scoring 23 goals with the strike-force of Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle doing most of the damage. VFC Devizes also won their opening five fixtures and went into lockdown with the only points dropped being  a 1-1 draw with Corsham Town, this game was also to be the last time Corsham dropped points, as they went on to win all their remaining 15 league fixtures.

The key game of the league season was at the beginning of May when Melksham Town visited the Southbank Ground. Melksham went into the game unbeaten having won all but one of their games to that point, the only dropped points having come in a 1-1 draw with Marlborough Town. On a wet and windy night, the game was played in atrocious conditions. A solitary goal from Simon Gray settled matters in Corsham’s favour thus ending Melksham’s unbeaten run.  The win for Corsham meant that the top three sides in the division had all now dropped five points. Melksham remained six points clear at the top but both VFC Devizes and Corsham Town had two games in hand on the leaders and could draw level if they won those games in hand. Both Corsham and Melksham also still had to travel to Devizes in their remaining fixtures.

All three leading sides from the Mid Wiltshire Division had also progressed to the semi finals of the Wiltshire County Veterans’ Cup. Both semi-finals were to be tight affairs. As noted above Melksham needed penalties to see off KMLC in their semi-final and in the all Mid Wiltshire Division tie, a solitary goal from Simon Gray saw Corsham defeat VFC Devizes. The final at Green Lane was a physical affair of a high standard that Melksham dominated for much of the match and, despite going down to ten men, were comfortable 3-1 winners. 

Having lifted the County Cup, four days later they were back at Green Lane for a vital league game against VFC Devizes and the cup final exertions had taken their toll as Devizes became only the second side to defeat Melksham all season, 2-0 the final score. This meant the meeting between VFC Devizes and Corsham Town at the beginning of July was as good as a title decider and a solitary goal from Stuart Skinner edged it for Corsham who were now firm favourites to lift the crown. The title was confirmed when VFC Devizes were held to a 2-2 draw by a much-improved St Andrews side which also meant Melksham Town were guaranteed runners-up spot. St Andrews then defeated VFC Devizes in that final game of the season noted above.

Well done to Corsham Town and Melksham Town on their league honours and also on their cup final appearance and to Melksham on lifting the cup. An excellent first season in the league for both clubs. The only blemish on the exciting season in the Mid Wiltshire Division was the need to award five games due to teams not being able to raise sides, with Marlborough Town being the guilty party on three such occasions, but the games had come thick and fast and it is a credit to all the Veterans’ sides that there were no more such occurrences given the short time frame that the games were concluded. Hopefully next season can be played at a more leisurely pace.

The golden boot award for the leading striker in the Veteran’s Divisions went to Charlie Griffin of Melksham Town who scored 25 goals in all competitions, five more than his fellow striker Steve Tweddle. David Rendle led the way in the North Division with 19, one less than Tweddle.

With four new sides from the Swindon area joining the league next season plus another from the South of the county, the Veterans’ category continues to grow, and it all gets going again in early September with the clubs agreeing at a recent General Meeting to retain the two division format based on a geographical split.

The tables below show both the full results for all sides and the final league tables for the 2020-21 Season.

Corsham Town with the Mid Wiltshire Division Championship Shield (pictures courtesy of John Cuthbertson)

Melksham Town's potent strike force of Charlie Griffin and Steve Tweddle who finished No. 1 and 2 in the Season 2020-21 Goal Scorers Chart

(pictures courtesy of David Giles and John Cutbertson)