Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League
 Cricklade Champions in North,
Bradford Town Go Top in Mid Wilts

Action from Westbury United's 4-1 win over Devizes Town Res

After spending most of the season at the top of the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division, Melksham Town were dislodged from top spot this week, with Bradford Town the new leaders of the division after a 2-0 win on Friday night over Westbury United. Bradford’s two leading scorers Mark Robinson and David Percival did the damage, Robinson moving onto 25 for the season and Percival taking his own personal total onto 21.

It was a busy week for Westbury United as earlier in the week they had defeated Devizes Town 4-1 at Meadow Lane in what was Devizes Town’s final game of the season. Two goals for Wayne Wheeler, one for Pete Ayton and an own goal doing the damage, Robert Mitchell with the consolation goal for Devizes who became the sixth team in the division to complete their fixtures. Martin Pearce was there with his camera and more of his excellent pictures can be found by clicking on this LINK.

  Action from Westbury United's 4-1 win over Devizes Town

(pictures courtesy of Martin Pearce)

Melksham Town had missed out on the chance to retain top spot earlier in the week when they had lost to a solitary strike from Corsham Town’s James Lye, a result which means everything will be decided by the final four games in the division, all of which involve the top four sides. Just two points separate the new leaders Bradford Town and third placed Corsham Town, with Melksham Town sandwiched between the two. Two of those four fixtures take place this coming Monday with Corsham Town hosting Bradford Town, whilst Melksham Town travel to Westbury United who, whilst out of the title race, could still have a big say who are the eventual champions. Then on Thursday Westbury host Corsham Town. Certainly, it is a big week ahead in the Mid Wiltshire Division.

The title race is now over in the North Wiltshire Division with Cricklade Town crowned as champions on Tuesday night as a result of a narrow 2-1 win over Royal Wootton Bassett Town at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground. It was the league leaders Cricklade who took the lead with a neat finish from the leading scorer across both Veterans’ divisions, TJ Bohane. Both Matt Richards and Godfrey Chisanga went close to extending Cricklade’s lead but both missed good efforts and it remained 1-0 at the break. Cricklade doubled their lead early in the second half, Godfrey Chisanga with the goal as the title got ever closer. However, a mistake by Mike Solan allowed Chris Head to reply almost immediately for Royal Wootton Bassett Town to make it 2-1. Royal Wootton Bassett Town pushed for an equaliser but twice Cricklade keeper Jason Knight made fine stops from Jeremy Newton and Chris Head to keep Cricklade in front. At the other end the Bassett keeper also denied TJ Bohane and Matt Richards with two great saves as it finished 2-1. Cricklade have secured the title with two games to spare, and it is congratulations to manager Richard Austen and his side on their title success. Royal Wootton Bassett Town will now have to battle it out with Redhouse for runners-up spot with the two sides set to meet this coming Wednesday.

Redhouse go into Wednesday’s game with a three-point advantage but having played one game more. That is after a 4-0 win on Tuesday night at New College against Blunsdon thanks to two goals for both Chris Hawkins and Nolan Paul. As well as the three points the four goals scored improved their goal difference that could end up being needed to separate the teams at the season end. After the encounter on Wednesday at the Gerard Buxton Ground, Royal Wootton Bassett Town will have one outstanding game to play against Blunsdon.

Whilst Cricklade were making the headlines at the top end of the table, at the other end it was AFC Swindon who were the big story as they picked up their third win of the season and also became the first team in the division to complete their fixtures. First half goals from Gareth Walton and then two from Jason Cobb did the damage for AFC against bottom of the table Stratton Juniors Black in a 3-1 win and meant AFC more than doubled their points tally from last season in what has turned out to be their best season of the four they have had in the league.

The final game of the week in the North Wiltshire Division saw Swindon Old Boys pick up a valuable 2-1 win over fourth placed Chiseldon to move to within a point of their beaten opponents. On target for Swindon Old Boys were Andrew King and Paul Stonehouse, King taking his tally for the season into double figures and Stonehouse registering his 12th of the campaign.

League Tables

Result Grids

Leading Scorers

Results & Next Week's Fixtures

6 May 2023
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