The league season in the Veteran’s divisions was finally brought to an end on Wednesday night, a couple of weeks later than intended, when the North Wiltshire Division title decider between Redhouse and Priory Vale finally got played. Redhouse went into the game knowing that as long as they avoided defeat by a margin of six or more goals, they would be crowned champions. The first half saw both sides create several good chances with the division’s two leading scorers both looking to add to their tally in the battle to be the North Division’s top scorer this season. Dave Rendle, the current leading scorer, went close early on, Rendle controlling the ball from a throw in and hitting a powerful shot on the volley from the right-hand side of the box which went just over. At the other end Prior Vale had a great chance of their own when a free kick from the left to the far post looked to be going wide but came back off the post and was crossed back across goal, falling to a Priory Vale player but he fired well over to leave the game still looking for its first goal. Both keepers were then called into action, first Redhouse’s Stewart Thompson dived to his left to deny Priory Vale from a shot from the edge of the box and then at the other end his opposite number brought off a similar save. The closing stages of the half saw Rendle put through on goal but once again his shot from just inside the 18-yard box sailed over the bar to leave it 0-0 at the break.

The start of the second half saw Rendle again go close, Tafari Anderson heading back across goal to Rendle who controlled the ball and then fired in a shot on the turn that went just wide of the post. At the other end Priory Vale’s top striker Richie Miles created his own chance with a powerful run which just lacked the final finish, his shot in the end going tamely wide of Stewart Thompson’s left-hand post. Redhouse then went close to getting that first elusive goal when a free kick from the edge of the box came back off the post. The deadlock was finally broken after a defensive mix up in the Redhouse back line saw the ball fall to Richie Miles who slotted it past Thompson to give Priory Vale the lead and Miles his 24th goal of the season. In the end it turned out to be the only goal of the game as Priory Vale took all three points to move level on points with their opponents. Whilst Redhouse had fallen to a defeat, the fact that they managed to restrict Priory Vale to a single goal meant they took the league title on goal difference. Priory Vale, having already secured at least the runners-up spot ahead of the game, had to settle for that.

Congratulations to Redhouse on securing the league title and also to Priory Vale on finishing as runners up by the tightest of margins. It had certainly been an exciting title race between these two sides and Royal Wootton Bassett Town, the top two eventually finishing four points clear of the side who finished third. Royal Wootton Bassett Town finished just a point ahead of fourth placed Cricklade Town who, if they had started the season, as they finished it would have probably claimed some league honours. However, honours may still come their way as they are through to the semi-final of the cup. The goal for Richie Miles meant he finished two behind Dave Rendle in the top scorers’ chart, but both may yet be overtaken by Cricklade Town’s Ryan Keech whose side are still in the Veterans’ League Cup. Your Sport Swindon were at the game on Wednesday night and the highlights can be viewed by clicking on the link below or from the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the website.

Regarding the cup, Cricklade Town were joined by FC Calne in the semi-final after they won 3-0 against Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Tuesday night at New College. Leading 2-0 at half time, Calne added one more after the break, goals from Dean Slade, Ben Trafford and Dan Allison doing the damage for Calne who avenged the Wiltshire County Veterans’ County Cup defeat they suffered at the start of the season against the same opponents. The other two Second Round games between Chippenham Town Yard Dogs and Swindon Old Boys, and Swindon Rovers and Corsham Town are set to take place next Tuesday evening. Your Sport Swindon were at the game on Tuesday night and the highlights can be viewed by clicking on the link below or from the link on the Your Sport Swindon page of the website.

13 May 2022