Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League

Saturday 12th September 2020

Wroughton win the big game of the day

Pewsey Vale made an impressive start to the season with an opening day win at Stratton Juniors, whilst their hosts Odd Down Reserves had registered their first points of the season in midweek with a hard fought 1-0 win at Melksham, this after conceding two goals in injury time to lose on the opening day at Royal Wootton Bassett last Saturday. It is now two wins from two for Pewsey after a tight game saw them come out on top 2-1 over the young Odd Down side who were missing a couple of their players due to suspensions. James Noad scored for Odd Down, Connor Marsden and James Turner with the Pewsey goals which maintained their 100% record after two games and has them sitting in second place in the early table, just behind Wroughton on goal difference.
Another of the days big games saw Shrewton Utd look to build on their midweek win against Ludgershall Sports when Purton, under new management this season, were the visitors to the Recreation Ground. It was an entertaining afternoon for the crowd at the Recreation Ground. James Dolman put Shrewton in front, but Jack Duckers equalised for the visitors. Robbie Mitchell restored Shrewton’s lead on the stroke of half time to make it 2-1 at the break to the home side. Both sides created chances after the restart before Jack Duckers scored again  to restore parity. However, James Dolman netted his second of the game to once again restore Shrewton’s lead. With time running out, just as it looked like Shrewton would start the season with two wins, Aaron Dainton scored an equaliser for Purton a minute from time to ensure it was honours even and the points shared. Purton manager Wayne Petrie commenting after the match noted that he had said travelling down that “I would be more than happy with a point and that is what we came away with in what was a very good match. I think this division is going to be very competitive this season.”
Malmesbury Victoria Development had got their season off to a great start last week with that 3-1 win away at Melksham Town Reserves. Today they made the trip down to Somerset to take on Frome Collegians knowing that in the corresponding fixture last season they had returned with all three points from a 2-0 win. The game this tme round was ultimately settled by Sam Wright's first half goal, Wright firing a powerful shot from the right which went in off the far post. Malmesbury Victoria Development pushed hard for an equaliser but found the Frome Collegians defence in good form and could only create limited chances to get back into the game and Frome held out to get their season off to a winning start.
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development had won their opening game last Saturday thanks to two goals late on in injury time and were keen to build on a good run that extended to the back end of last season. Whilst their visitors Melksham Town Reserves had lost both their opening two fixtures of the new season, their record in games between the two sides was a good one with Bassett failing to win in any of the previous 10 meetings. The corresponding fixture had seen the two sides share six goals and the points. It was a tight affair again this season but without the goals. It remained 0-0 at the break but the deadlock was finally broken on 52 minutes when Ben Paul beat two defenders, dummied to shoot and then went round another defender before hitting a scuffed shot which crept under the Melksham keeper to make it 1-0 to the home side. Melksham had the chance to get themselves back in the game when they were awarded a penalty but the spot kick was saved by Royal Wootton Bassett Town keeper Adam House to ensure his side won for the second time and maintain a 100% record to start the season and ended that torrid record against Melksham. For Melksham, a strong performance, but that is now three straight defeats to start the season and next up are Wroughton in midweek.
Trowbridge Town and visitors Ludgershall Sports were both looking to pick up their first points of the season. Ludgershall had lost heavily at home to Wroughton on the opening day but had put in a much better performance at Shrewton in midweek and had remained in the game until late on. Trowbridge meanwhile had lost narrowly to Cricklade on the opening day. On another warm afternoon Trowbridge registered their first points of the season with a comfortable 5-0 win with striker Adam Mitchell helping himself to four goals. Jacob Sainsbury was the other Trowbridge scorer in what turned out to be a one-sided affair and could have been a lot more but for some fine saves from the Ludgershall keeper.

Trowbridge striker Adam Mitchell who was the star of the show in their 5-0 win over Ludgershall (pictures courtesy of Andy Meaden)

Stratton Juniors and visitors Marlborough Town were two more sides looking to get off the mark. After a fine pre-season, following on from a good run of form in the league last season before Covid-19 struck, Marlborough Town are hopeful of having a much better season this time round. However, their league campaign did not get off to a winning start as they went down 2-1, both Stratton goals coming in the first half. Chris Price scoring the first with a header from a corner and Ryan Major hit Stratton’s second just after the half hour mark following good build up play. Chris Avery was on target for Marlborough Town, but the visitors missed a hatful of chances as well as Jake Farrell missing a penalty and were unable get back on level terms.

Premier Division Results

Saturday 12 September

Frome Collegians 1 Malmesbury Vics Dev 0

Odd Down Res 1 Pewsey Vale 2

Royal W. Bassett T Dev 1 Melksham Town Res 0

Shrewton Utd 3 Purton 3

Stratton Juniors 2 Marlborough Town 1

Trowbridge Town 5 Ludgershall Sports 0

Wroughton 4 Corsham Town Res 2

12 September 2020