There are new leaders in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League after this week’s midweek round of matches with Kintbury Rangers dislodging Wroughton from top spot with an impressive 5-0 win over the previous leaders. The sides had met six times previously in the league and once in the final of the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup, that cup final coming in Season 2018-19 when Kintbury had edged it by the odd goal in five. Over those seven games another four had been settled by single goal margins with one game also drawn and another close game was anticipated with both sides having started so well. However, this was not the case on this occasion. Kintbury led at the break thanks to two goals from George Armstrong and they stepped it up second half to score three more times through James Patton and Jake Allan (2) to secure a 5-0 success and takeover from their defeated opponents at the top of the table with Blunsdon, who were without a game, also climbing above Wroughton on goal difference.

After calling off their opening game Amesbury Town have now won two of their three subsequent games, securing the biggest win of the season in the Premier Division against an out-of-sorts Ludgershall Sports side. The goals were spread around the side, Kieron LeBrun bagged a brace, with Tyler Brockway, Harrison Hale, Ally McCracken, Matthew Devereux and Kieran Diaz-Benitez also on target for Amesbury who went fourth in the table following this latest success, three points behind Kintbury but with a game in hand.

On Wednesday night Kingsdown travelled to Malmesbury Vics Development, never the easiest of away games, given how the Malmesbury side know how to play their heavy pitch. This time round Malmesbury had something of an off night and never really got going and were outplayed from start to finish by the visitors. Kingsdown came away with all three points and their first win of the season following a 4-1 win. Two goals for Antonio Gerrish and one each for Ollie Hunt and Aiden Miller, Lewis King with the reply for Malmesbury.  That is now three games unbeaten in their first season in the top division for Kingsdown.

Three games in the Premier Division all ended in draws. After three straight defeats to start the season Melksham Town Reserves picked up their first point of the season when most people would have least expected it, holding last seasons champions Trowbridge Town to a goalless draw. All three officials on this game were age 18 - probably making it the youngest combined age we have had for three officials on a game and they drew special praise from Trowbridge Town chairman Andy Meaden for their excellent performance on the night.

The other two drawn games between Calne Town Reserves and Shrivenham and Larkhall Athletic Development and Frome Collegians both finished 1-1. At Bremhill View a second half strike from Edward Summers put Calne Town Reserves in front but a late equaliser for Shrivenham from Harry Ayres meant the points were shared. It was a similar story at the Plain Ham where a goal from Jack Kelsey put the home side Larkhall Athletic Dev in front and they had plenty of chances to extend their lead but all were missed. They were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal when Josh Roddy netted a late equaliser for Frome Collegians to ensure the points were shared.

The final midweek game in the Premier Division saw a much welcome first win of the season for the young Salisbury Dev team who defeated visitors Odd Down (Bath) Development 3-1 at the Ray Mac. Two goals for Harrison Mealing plus one from Marcus Read did the damage for Salisbury, Kyle Norris with the reply for Odd Down.

After three straight wins league leaders Faringdon Town went into their game at Lambourn Sports as clear favourites with their opponents yet to pick up a point in their opening two games. An early goal from Kyle Bowyer after being put through by Jamie Tuck set Faringdon on their way but credit to Lambourn who battled away and it was only on the stroke of half time that Faringdon were able to extend their lead, Jamie Tuck going from provider to scorer heading in from close range after the Lambourn keeper had parried Harry Platts cross. Four minutes after the restart Faringdon increased their lead, Liam Hares getting on the end of a flick-on from a long throw to make it 3-0. It remained that way until 20 minutes from time when Tuck scored his second of the game after good work from Peter Fletcher. There was to be one more Faringdon goal, Kyle Bowyer who had started the nights scoring also rounded it off with a second five minutes from time to make the final score 5-0 and take his personal tally to seven after just four games. Another win and yet another clean sheet for Faringdon which no doubt pleased the management team almost as much as another victory. That unblemished record is set to be severely tested this coming weekend when Purton, who sit just behind Faringdon on goal difference visit Tucker Park.

Purton warmed up for that top of the table encounter on Saturday with a comfortable win of their own at the Red House against Stratton Juniors. Two goals apiece for player-manager Matt Bennett, taking his total for the season to six, and Nick Stanley in this one, Alex Hammond with the other Purton goal in a 5-1 success. For Stratton Juniors that is now three defeats in their opening four games in a disappointing start to the season.

Devizes Town Reserves sit third in the table after an entertaining game with Bratton at Nursteed Road. It was all square at the end of the first half, an early Harvey Swain goal and an own goal for Devizes being cancelled out by a brace from Bratton’s Jack Booth. Booth completed his hat-trick nine minutes from time but an injury time equaliser for the home side from Cullen Wylie ensured a share of the spoils for Devizes. A first point of the season for Bratton after three tough fixtures to start the season.

More of David Giles excellent pictures from the Devizes Town Res v Bratton game can be found on the League's Facebook Group Page.

Level on points with Devizes are Pewsey Vale Development who have made a decent start to the season with two wins and just one defeat in their opening four fixtures. Their latest victory came at home on Tuesday night against Shrivenham Development, two goals from Rhys Farrow plus one from substitute Michael Martin in a 3-1 win, James Hirst with the consolation goal for Shrivenham.

Bishops Cannings picked up their first win of the season in an entertaining game against Cricklade Town which a groundhopper on the Non-League forum described as “the best game of footy I’ve seen in a long time”. It was all square at the break, but the home side took advantage of the visitors having a player sin-binned in the second half to run out 4-2 winners. On target for Bishops Cannings were Lleyton Edwards with two, Callum Garbutt and Ibrahim Kondeh, Tyler Smith and Thomas Whitham with the Cricklade goals.

Goals from Josh Barnfield and Ollie Hunt helped Kingsdown Development pick up their second win of the season, 2-1 the final score in their game away at Wroughton Development who are still looking for their first points of the season.

The final game in the Division came on Wednesday night when Marlborough Town travelled to Kintbury Rangers Development looking to maintain their 100% winning record. Kintbury meanwhile have suffered the frustration of two postponements by opponents and were pleased to finally get another game played after an opening day defeat to league leaders Faringdon Town. In a tight game, Aidan Maycock gave Kintbury a half time lead. It remained a close encounter throughout the second period with both teams scoring twice meaning Kintbury edged it by the odd goal in five to pick up their first win of the season. The second half goals for Kintbury were scored by William Freer and Jamie Wallin. In reply for Marlborough a fifth of the season from Jake Farrell, Kieron Maidment with the other goal.

23 August 2023