Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League
Opening day wins for fancied pair &
Frome's new man fires Collegians to impressive win
Action from today's opening game in Division 1 between Purton and Ludgershall Sports
The 47th Season in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League got underway on what was one of the hottest days of the year. With temperatures in the mid-30s six Premier Division games and one in the newly formed Division One went ahead. The referees were instructed to permit regular drinks breaks and it is pleasing to see that most of the scheduled games went ahead and well done for all teams and match officials for completing the games in the difficult conditions.
In the Premier Division the big game of the day was at Pewsey Vale Recreation Ground where last season’s runners-up were hosting the returning Kintbury Rangers, a side who went into the start of the season with the best record in the Premier Division from their previous time in the league. In a tight affair at the Recreation Ground a solitary first half close range strike from Luke Connor was the only difference between the two sides as Kintbury secured a winning start to their second spell in the league. It could well have been an even bigger win for Kintbury, but they found Pewsey keeper Adam Walters in fine form and had to settle for just the one goal.
Frome Collegians and Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development ahead of todays opening league fixture
As well as Pewsey falling to an opening day defeat the same fate befell last season’s champions Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development at home against Frome Collegians. In a tight first half Frome had goalkeeper Ben Forrester to thank for keeping it level in the opening stages with a couple of important saves. Frome went in front around the half hour mark thanks to powerful low shot from new signing Jack Newman. However, the home side were back on level terms just before the break when a free kick from Manuel Meses was headed in at the far post by an unmarked Ian McDermid to make it 1-1 at the break. Frome went back in front early in the second half, a ball over the top down the left found Alex Pippard whose low cross found Morgan Marsh on the edge of the box who controlled the ball and then volleyed into the net. Royal Wootton Bassett Town went close to equalising through Bruno Martins, but his powerful shot came back of the crossbar and Max Slinn mishit the rebound, and it remained 2-1. Not for long though as substitute Slinn gave the ball away in midfield and Frome broke quickly, a cross from the left found Marsh again and his cross deceived everyone and nestled in the top corner of the net to make it 3-1. There was time for one further goal, and it again went the way of Frome, Jack Newman heading in powerfully from a corner for his second of the game to make the final score 4-1 to Karl Freeman’s side, their first league win against their opponents after four previous defeats.
Your Sport Swindon were at the game and subscribers can view the highlights by clicking on the link below or from the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the website.
Jack Newman who scored twice in an impressive performance for Frome Collegians in their 4-1 win over RWBT Dev
Jamie Jordan’s Trowbridge Town side had ended last season with a 12-game unbeaten run, 11 of which had been won. The manager had also done some astute recruitment during the summer bringing in last season’s top scorer from Corsham Town Development, Ben Wickens, to add to his already potent attacking force. Installed as favourites for the title ahead of the season Trowbridge did not disappoint another three figure crowd with a big opening day win over Calne Town Reserves and it was new signing Wickens who did most of the damage. Josh Howlett got Trowbridge on their way with the opener 16 minutes in, before Wickens extended the Trowbridge lead four minutes later. Calne pulled one back five minutes later through Max Wyatt but Wickens restored the two goal advantage. There was still time for a further Trowbridge goal before the break, George Bendle firing in for 4-1 and a comfortable half time lead for the title favourites. There was no let up after the break and Wickens scored twice more to take his tally for the day to four, a second from Bendle completing the list of scorers in an impressive 7-1 win for Trowbridge.
Ben Wickens, see here in pre-season, scored four in Trowbridge Town's 7-1 win over Calne Town Res (picture courtesy of Martin Pearce)
The other side being tipped by many for the league title are Devizes Town who were relegated from the Western League at the end of last season. They were made to work hard for the points on their debut in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League by a resolute Stratton Juniors side who were playing their first league game at their new Merton Fields ground. Devizes led 1-0 at the break but three further goals in the second half secured a 4-0 win although Stratton continued battling away but without getting on the score sheet. On target for Devizes were Derek Wheeler, Billy Gleed, Jordan Kirk and Gabe Costello.
Blunsdon were also playing their first ever game at this level away at Odd Down Development and, whilst they had the better of the limited chances in the first half, they found themselves trailing at the break to a Jack O'Brien headed goal from a corner midway through the half. In difficult conditions, with the flow of the game disjointed by the regular drinks breaks, Blunsdon were back on level terms 20 minutes from time, Eliot Wheatley curling a free kick from outside the box round the wall with the shot going in off the post for 1-1. Both sides created chances for a possible winner and Odd Down had a penalty shout denied by the referee but, in the end, the two sides had to settle for a point apiece.
There was an entertaining game at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium where home side Salisbury FC Development and Wroughton served up an eight goal thriller. Salisbury led 2-0 early on but Wroughton then scored three unanswered goals through Jonathan Peachey-Score to take the lead. The fluctuating affair then saw Salisbury score twice to regain the lead but a late equaliser from Sam Long levelled things up again. Both sides continued to create chances at both ends and either one could have won it but in the end, it finished honours even and the points were shared. On target for Salisbury were Dyllan Roocroft who bagged a brace, Jayden Goodall and Lewis Cross.
A late equaliser from Sam Long and a hat-trick from Jonathan Peachey-Score secured a point for Wroughton in an entertaining 4-4 draw with Salisbury FC Dev
The scheduled game in the Premier Division between Marlborough Town and Melksham Town Reserves was postponed.
Please note that September's fixtures in the Premier Division are also now available on FA Full-Time.
Premier Division Results & Fixtures
The new Division 1 did not get off to the best of starts with two of the three games postponed. Kingsdown Lions called off their game against Devizes Town due to their concerns about the heat and the game between Kintbury Rangers Development and Pewsey Vale Development was off for similar reasons, but that fixture has already been re-scheduled for this coming Wednesday night.
Ludgershall Sports and Purton ahead of todays opening game
The one game that did go ahead was at the Redhouse where Purton’s visitors were Ludgershall Sports with both sides keen to get off to a good start after last season’s disappointments. Unfortunately, Purton have had another difficult summer with two of the coaches brought in to help run the side leaving to join other clubs just before the start of the season, with the players they were scheduled to bring in not appearing at Purton. Credit to Andy Philpott who assembled a young team at short notice, and he will no doubt see an improvement in the coming weeks. They matched visitors Ludgershall Sports in the early exchanges but fell behind to a Luke Holden header. Ludgershall extended their lead from what appeared to be a harsh award of a penalty for a foul right on the edge of the box, although there were no complaints from the Purton players. Holden slotted the spot kick away to make it 2-0 with just 15 minutes gone. Ludgershall have made some good signings in the summer and look like they will have a much better season, they scored three more before the break, with Holden completing a first half hat-trick, and then matched their first half goal tally in the second half. Holden completed a productive afternoon with four goals, Jake Slater scored a hat-trick and there were further goals from Adam Campbell, Aaron Joseph and George Donohue. Manager Benn Pike noted that the score line was somewhat harsh on Purton who will no doubt see improvements as the young side get more games under their belts.
Ludgershall Sports celebrate Luke Holden's opener and Holden sees another effort denied by Purton's keeper
Division One Result & Fixtures
13 August 2022