A new era for the Wiltshire Senior League begins this coming Sunday, 1^st September when the two new Ladies’ Divisions kick off.

The Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League has taken on the administration of Ladies’ football from the former Wiltshire County Women’s and Girls’ League and the new season kicks off this coming Sunday.

Numbers of teams participating have increased and, for the first time since Season 2016-17, there will be two Divisions for Ladies’ football in the county.

The Ladies’ Premier Division will mainly consist of teams who played in the Wiltshire County Women’s and Girls’ League last season whilst the Development Division (Division 1) comprises mostly newly formed teams who’ve not played in a league before, plus a couple of younger teams who were playing in the Girls’ Division last season.

Last season’s champions of the Wiltshire County Women’s and Girl’s League, Corsham Town have been promoted to the South West Regional Women’s Football League, whilst Bath Athena are not participating in the league this season. AFC Brislington from just over the border will be playing in the Premier Division which will comprise ten teams in total. The Development Division will be made up of nine teams and includes some newly formed teams from traditionally men’s clubs such as Blunsdon, Ferndale Rodbourne, and Malmesbury. Marlborough Town return after a season’s absence from Ladies football and are joined by teams such as South Newton and Barford and Staverton Rangers, who have moved up from last season’s Girl’s’ League.

The Management Committee has been enhanced by the addition of a Ladies’ Division Club Secretary and a ladies’ player has been elected as a Club Representative for the Ladies’ Divisions. In the next few days the league will announce two very well-known personalities from the world of ladies’ football in Wiltshire to strengthen their committee.

Sunday’s action in the Premier Division sees Bemerton Heath Harlequins, who finished second in the table last season, entertain Westbury Youth. Last season Bemerton did the double over Westbury in the league and also defeated them in the semi final of the League cup and will start as favourites this coming Sunday.

FC Chippenham Youth, who finished third last season, are not in league action this weekend but play in the First Qualifying Round of the Women’s FA Cup away at Frome Town who last season finished second from bottom of the Eastern Division of the South West Regional Women’s Football League and dropped back down to the Somerset County Women’s League for this season. Hopefully FC Chippenham can fly the flag for the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League along with Bemerton Heath Harlequins who have also entered the Women’s FA Cup but have a bye to the Second Qualifying Round.

Last season Durrington finished in fourth place whilst Sunday’s opponents Swindon Supermarine finished in sixth spot. The one meeting between the two sides last season was a close affair that Durrington edged by the odd goal in five so expect another close game on Sunday.

Highworth Town, who finished just below Swindon Supermarine last season, open with a home game against Kingsdown who last season lost all but one of their games but will be hoping for a much better season in 2024-25 having now had one season’s experience of Ladies football and also had sufficient new players join to be able to also run a team in the Development Division.

The final game in the Premier Division on Sunday sees new side AFC Brislington travel to Beversbrook to take on Calne Town as something on an unknown quantity and it will be interesting to see how they get on against a side who finished eighth last season with seven wins and five draws from their 22 games. Melksham Town are without a game this Sunday due to FC Chippenham being otherwise engaged with that FA Cup fixture.

The four games in the Development Division see Blunsdon entertain Marlborough Town whilst Ferndale Rodbourne host Malmesbury Vics in a meeting between two newly formed sides.

Two sides who have traditionally had Ladies sides, but have struggled in recent seasons, meet at Lambrok Playing Field, Trowbridge. Trowbridge Wanderers, who finished ninth last season, but have seen an exodus of players from last season’s squad, take on Salisbury who have reformed after a season’s absence from Ladies football. The final game in the Development Division sees Kingsdown Development at home to Staverton Rangers. South Newton & Barford Hornets are without a fixture this weekend due to the odd number of teams in the division.

The opening round of fixtures in the two new Ladies Divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League produced plenty of goals on Sunday as well as several close games.

Premier Division

In the Premier Division eight of the ten teams got their league season underway with FC Chippenham being otherwise engaged in the First Qualifying Round of the Women’s FA Cup. Unfortunately, their interest in the competition was swiftly ended as they fell to a 10-0 defeat away at Frome Town, but at least they had the consolation of picking up £450 from the enhanced prize money for this season’s competition which will no doubt help club funds.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins are the only other team to have entered the FA Cup this season but had a bye in the First Qualifying Round and are set to meet Sherborne Town in the Second Qualifying Round on Sunday 22^nd September. They got their league season off to a winning start with a big win over Westbury Youth. Zoe Ridley fired a hat-trick for Bemerton in a 13-0 win with the other goals coming through Ellie Hayward (2), Imogen Brady (2), Leanne Harvey (2), Leanne Griffiths-Lower, Amy Hards, Caitlin Lower and Deyna Davie.

Swindon Supermarine were another side to secure a big win on opening day scoring nine unanswered goals away at Durrington. Chanel Crewe was the star of the show smashing a double hat-trick with Amy Dilley, Ellie Philpott and Milli Swift also on target for Supermarine.

It was a much tighter affair in the game between Highworth Town and Kingsdown. After losing all the games that they played last season, Kingsdown look to be a much tougher proposition this season and they led 1-0 thanks to a goal early in the second half from Julietta Munanau against a side that had beaten them twice 9-0 last season. However, Highworth came back strongly to score two goals of their own, both of which were scored by Lauren Bulley, the winner coming just five minutes from time.

The final game of the weekend in the Premier Division was at Beversbrook where Calne Town entertained the new side AFC Brislington who come into the new season as something of an unknown quantity. They got their season off to a winning start, securing a 4-2 victory thanks to two goals from Emily Plummer and further strikes from Charlotte Morrison and Libby Sims, Cery Jones with two replying for Calne.

Next Sunday two of the teams who made winning starts to the season, AFC Brislington and Bemerton Heath Harlequins will go head-to-head at Brislington. FC Chippenham get their league campaign underway with a trip into Swindon to take on Kingsdown, whilst Melksham who were without a game last Sunday due to that FC Chippenham FA Cup game, commence their season with a home fixture against Durrington who will be looking to bounce back from that opening day defeat. Swindon Supermarine will look to make it two wins from two when they host Calne Town whilst Westbury Youth will look to bounce back from Sunday’s defeat against Bemerton when they entertain Highworth Town.

Development Division

The four games played in the Development Division on the opening day of the season saw wins for Marlborough Town, Malmesbury Victoria, Staverton Rangers and Trowbridge Wanderers. Biggest winners of the afternoon were Marlborough Town who scored 12 unanswered goals against a spirited Blunsdon side who were playing their first competitive fixture. Sophie Feakes opened the scoring in the first minute of the match and went on to score three more times, substitute Emily Feilder hit a second half hat-trick, Victoria Goldson and Kerry Ash both netted twice with Isabella Curtis getting the other Marlborough goal in the 12-0 win.  A heavy defeat but Blunsdon’s results will no doubt improve as the season progresses.

Two more newly formed sides met at Moredon where Ferndale Rodbourne entertained Malmesbury Victoria. It was to be Malmesbury’s afternoon as two goals from Amalie Gray and Laura Deacon plus one from Lisa Lane, coupled with a clean sheet for Rhianon Stidever, secured a 5-0 win for Malmesbury.

There was a close contest at Kingsdown School where Kingsdown Development entertained Staverton Rangers with the visitors edging it by the odd goal in five. Kingsdown player manager Racine Bailey was on target with one of the two Kingsdown goals, the other coming courtesy of an own goal, Staverton’s three strikes coming courtesy of Hollie-Mai Greenland, Sarah Williams and Bella Cousins.

The final game of the weekend in the Development Division was at Trowbridge where two first half goals from Emily Hutchinson plus a third from Annabelle Simeonova seven minutes from time gave Trowbridge Wanderers a 3-1 winning start against Salisbury, Hannah Owen with the reply for Salisbury.

This coming Sunday the top match looks to be the game between Marlborough Town and Trowbridge Wanderers who both got their seasons off to a winning start on Sunday. Staverton Rangers will look to make it two wins from their opening two games when they entertain South Newton & Barford Hornets who will be playing their first game of the season. Two sides who fell to opening day defeats, Salisbury and Kingsdown, meet at Salisbury whilst the final game of the weekend sees Malmesbury looking to make it two wins form two when they host Blunsdon in a game likely to be staged at Malmesbury Youth’s ground at Red Bull due to ongoing maintenance issues at the Flying Monk Ground.

Kingsdown Ladies who picked up their first ever win on Sunday , a 5-2 victory over FC Chippenham

Ladies Premier Division

The headline makers in the second round of games in the two Ladies Divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League are Premier Division side Kingsdown who finally won their first league game. Whilst last season’s Wiltshire County League table reflected a single win for Kingsdown, those points were awarded by the Management Committee when Bemerton Heath Harlequins did not fulfil a fixture. All the other 21 league games were lost conceding 168 goals in the process. That run of defeats was finally brought to an end on Sunday when Kingsdown were 5-2 home winners over FC Chippenham, a team that had beaten them 27-0 in the first meeting between the team’s last season, demonstrating the progress that has been made in a short space of time. On target for Kingsdown in the historic win on Sunday were Siobhan Peplow with two, Skye Cooper, Amelia Sharp and Alexi Lee, Caitlin Angell and Tyler Webb, second half goals from Caitlin Angell and Tyler Webb in reply for FC Chippenham.

At the top end of the Premier Division three teams made it two wins from their opening two games on Sunday. Two teams who had both won on the opening day, AFC Brislington and Bemerton Heath Harlequins met at Ironmould Lane and it was the visitors Bemerton who maintained their perfect record courtesy of a 4-0 win. Two more goals for Imogen Brady, matching her tally on the opening day, with further goals from Leanne Griffiths-Lower and Ellen Clarke.

Joining Bemerton on six points are Swindon Supermarine who were made to work hard for the three points by Calne Town, Supermarine eventually edging it by the odd goal in a 2-1 win. Having scored a double hat-trick last week Chanel Crewe was once again the source of the Supermarine goals, scoring both the home side’s goals, Helen Turley with the Calne Town reply. The only blemish for Swindon Supermarine was the sending off of Molly Duffy.

The third team making it two wins from two games were Highworth Town who were 6-2 winners away at Westbury Youth. Bethan Harris led the way helping herself to a hat-trick, Lauren Bully netted twice with the other Highworth goal coming from substitute Nicola Walecki, Ruby Seviour with both the Westbury goals.

Melksham Town were playing their first game of the season with scheduled opponents last week FC Chippenham otherwise engaged in FA Cup action. This Sunday Melksham entertained Durrington at the Oakfield Stadium and were four goals up within the first half hour, and with Durrington suffering several injuries, they added a further four before half time to lead 8-0 at the break. Durrington then would not continue after the break with a depleted side and with the game not going the full duration the Management Committee will need to decide if the result stands and what other action will be taken. The goal scorers for Melksham before the game was brought to a premature end were Ella King with a hat-trick, India Mulliss with two, Chloe Way, Sarah Ward and Lily Baker.

This coming Sunday sees the top two, Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Swindon Supermarine meet at the A-Class Arena in Salisbury. Third placed Highworth Town are away at FC Chippenham, whilst fourth placed Melksham Town make the short trip to Beversbrook to play Calne Town. Kingsdown will go in search of that second ever victory when they travel south to play Durrington, with the final game in the division seeing AFC Brislington hosting Westbury Youth.

Ladies Development Division

The early pace setters in the Ladies Development Division are Malmesbury Victoria who registered their second straight win with a 4-1 against Blunsdon in a game played at the Red Bull ground due to the ongoing pitch maintenance at the Flying Monk Ground. Lisa Lane scored two, making it three for her from the opening two games, with further goals from Rose Anjos and Emma Sharpe, the Blunsdon goal was scored by Lyndsey Plant.

Two teams who had both won their opening game, Marlborough Town and Trowbridge Wanderers, met at Elcot Lane in what turned out to be the proverbial game of two halves. Trowbridge led 3-0 at the break thanks to goals from Annabelle Simeonova, Kate Bosworth and an own goal but Marlborough Town came back strongly after the break to score three of their own to ensure a share of the points, two more for Sophie Feakes to add to the four she scored the previous week, with Kerry Ash getting the goal that started the Marlborough comeback.

Biggest winners of the day were Salisbury who bounced back from their opening day defeat at the hands of Trowbridge Wanderers by hitting six unanswered goals against Kingsdown Development. Substitute Elisha Taylor registered a hat-trick, Nicole Kirkman scored twice with the other goal being scored by Anglea Collins.

South Newton & Barford Hornets were playing their first game of the season having been without a fixture last week and they got their season off to a winning start with a 3-1 success over Staverton Rangers thanks to goals from Georgi Bavister, Josephine Bromley and Maelin Hayes, Abigale Rafferty with the consolation goal for Staverton seven minutes from time.

This coming Sunday the big game in the division sees league leaders Malmesbury Victoria travel south to take on another unbeaten side Trowbridge Wanderers in what looks to be the top game of the week in the division. Marlborough Town will look to maintain their unbeaten record away to Kingsdown Development, whilst the two new sides from the Swindon area Blunsdon and Ferndale Rodbourne meet at Sutton Park. The final game of the weekend in the division sees South Newton & Barford Hornets entertain Salisbury. 

Ladies Premier Division

On paper Sunday’s meeting between two teams who had started the season with two victories had all the hallmarks of being a close encounter, but it turned out to be very much a one-sided affair as Bemerton Heath Harlequins scored 13 goals without reply against Swindon Supermarine, the second time that Bemerton have won by that score in their opening three games of the season. Imogen Brady and Leanne Harvey both registered hat-tricks, Amy Hards scored two against her former club, Zoe Ridley also bagging a brace, with further goals from Amy Sanger, Leanne Griffiths-Lower and Ellen Clarke. Bemerton have yet to concede a goal in any of their opening three games and will go into Sundays FA Cup game against Sherborne Town from the South West Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division in confident mood, although Sherborne are also unbeaten so far this season.

Joining Bemerton at the top of the table also on nine points from three games are Highworth Town who were 10-2 winners away at FC Chippenham, a team they had failed to beat last season. Lauren Bulley and Bethan Harris led the way for Highworth, both scoring four times with the other two goals coming through Lucy March and Kirran Kaur. The two consolation goals for FC Chippenham were both scored by Tyler Webb.

Melksham Town also maintained their perfect start to the season with a hard fought 4-2 away win at Calne Town. Two goals for India Mulliss and one for Ella King and Chloe Way did the damage for Melksham, Cerys Jones and Hannah Bishop with the two goals for Calne. Whilst Calne have lost all three games so far all the results have been close and they will be hoping they can get off the mark next week when they travel into Swindon to take on Kingsdown.

On the subject of Kingsdown they made it two wins on the bounce with a 7-0 away win at Durrington. The corresponding fixture last season had seen Durrington hit 14 without reply so a major turn around in fortunes for the two sides this season. Charlotte Robinson, Charlotte Chandler and Janet Reynolds all scored twice for Kingsdown with the other goal being scored by Siobhan Peplow.

The final game in the Premier Division on Sunday saw AFC Brislington pick up their second win of the season with a 7-1 victory over Westbury Youth in front of an impressive crowd of 80. Rhianna Ben-Carew and Kia Houghton led the way for Brislington, both scoring twice, with the other goals coming through Jelissa Burke, Charlotte Morrison and Megan Wiltshire, Megan Ayliffe with the consolation goal for Westbury Youth. The win for Brislington saw them join a cluster of three other clubs on six points.

Ladies Development Division

All the teams in the Development Division have now dropped points already this season and we are only three games into the season. The last 100% winning record came to an end on Sunday when Malmesbury Victoria were beaten by Trowbridge Wanderers, Wanderers scoring six times without reply. An early goal from Emily Hutchinson and then a second from Kate Keirl gave Wanderers a 2-0 half time lead. Megan Keast then extended the lead within two minutes of the restart and Ella Garnett then netted a fourth on 55 minutes. An own goal and a Lily Baldy goal four minutes from time completed the scoring as Trowbridge registered a 6-0 victory over the previous divisional leaders to overtake their beaten opponents and move second in the table.

The new leaders of the division are Marlborough Town who had a big 8-0 win over Kingsdown Development although six of the goals came in the final half hour. Kerry Ash scored twice for Marlborough with the other goals coming through Daisy Lund, Sarah Kirk, Kira Jackson, Victoria Goldson, Erin Robinson and Nicola Hobbs. The win for Marlborough sent them top on goal difference as they joined Trowbridge Wanderers on seven points.

The other two games in the division both ended in draws. South Newton & Barford Hornets maintained their unbeaten record with a 2-2 draw against Salisbury thanks to goals from Georgi Bavister and Lauren Baggot, Angela Collins and Sam Deacon with the Salisbury goals.

Ferndale Rodbourne made the short journey out of town to take on Blunsdon at Sutton Park with the two sides both looking to get off the mark in terms of points on the board. Both will no doubt have been happy to get their first point following a 1-1 draw, Lyndsey Plant scoring for Blunsdon and Jules Boyle with the Ferndale Rodbourne goal.

Ladies Premier Division

There were just two games played in the Premier Division on Sunday with league leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins involved in FA Cup action. Unfortunately, their interest in this prestigious national competition was ended when they fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of South West Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division side Sherborne Town, Bemerton conceding ten goals as they fell to a 10-0 defeat. There was consolation for them though in the £750 they picked up by way of prize money from participating in the Second Round Qualifying.  

With Bemerton playing the FA Cup game, Highworth Town took full advantage to move three points clear at the top of the table with a big win over struggling Durrington. Durrington have lost all of their players from last season and are in a re-build phase, with a group of players taking their first steps in Women’s football but credit to them for fulfilling their fixtures and they will definitely improve as the season progresses. Leading scorers Lauren Bulley and Bethany Harris were once again amongst the goals for Highworth, both scoring double hat-tricks, Keeley Corcoran, Lucy March and Kirran Sanghera all bagged a brace, with further goals from Katy Edwards and Erin Pearce. For Durrington, after a tough set of fixtures to start the season, their next three games see them up against sides who are also currently still looking for their first points of the season.

The other game played in the Premier Division on Sunday saw Kingsdown make it three wins in a row with a 5-3 victory over Calne Town. Whilst Calne have lost all four of their games so far this season, there has never been more than two goals in it in each of their fixtures and those first points of the season cannot be too far away. Siobhan Peplow led the way for Kingsdown grabbing a hat-trick to double her tally for the season, with Charlotte Chandler getting the other two Kingsdown goals. In reply for Calne Town, Cerys Jones bagged her fourth goal of the season with both Abbie Pickett and Ellie Hamill registering their first Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League goals.

The game between Swindon Supermarine and AFC Brislington was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and FC Chippenham were unable to raise a side for their trip to Westbury Youth and will become the first Ladies game needing to be discussed at the next League Discipline Meeting.

Ladies Development Division

Whilst all four games started in the Ladies Development Division on Sunday only three would go the full duration. The game between two of the unbeaten sides, Marlborough Town and South Newton & Barford Hornets was unfortunately abandoned on 40 minutes due to a heavy downpour that flooded the pitch. The score at the time of the abandonment was 0-0 and the game will now be restaged on Sunday 9^th February. 

The three games that did get completed resulted in Trowbridge Wanderers taking over at the top of the table following a 5-0 away win at Ferndale Rodbourne. Megan Keast put Wanderers ahead in the very first minute of the game but that was to be the only goal of the opening half. Trowbridge Wanderers stepped up their game after the break with Lily May Baldy doubling their lead ten minutes into the second half. Tilly Dunnery then added a third 20 minutes from time to make sure of the points and two goals in the final ten minutes, one from Bethany Woodman, followed by a second of the game for Baldy, completed the 5-0 win.

After last week’s defeat at the hands of Trowbridge Wanderers, Malmesbury Victoria returned to winning ways with a 5-2 victory over Kingsdown Development. On target for Malmesbury were Karen Marshall who netted twice, Emma Sharpe, Laura Deacon and substitute Clare Turner, with an own goal and one from Charley Moran in reply for Kingsdown. The win for Malmesbury saw them move second in the table a point behind Trowbridge Wanderers.

The final game in the Division was at Salisbury where the home side picked up their second win of the season defeating Staverton Rangers thanks to two goals from Nicole Kirkman and one from Angela Collins in a game played in front of a sizeable crowd. The win for Salisbury sees them sit fourth in the table, level on points with Marlborough Town and three points behind leaders Trowbridge.

Ladies Premier Division

FC Chippenham picked up their first points of the season on Sunday with victory over Durrington. Two goals from Caitlin Angell set them on their way and further first half goals from Tyler Webb, Amy Totterdell and Holly Provis saw them lead 5-0 at the break. Webb then went on to add a second half hat trick to finish the game with four goals, with Totterdell getting her second of the game and Tyler Hutton rounding off the scoring with a tenth for FC Chippenham in the final minute.

Highworth Town made it five wins out of five with a 5-2 away success at Calne Town. For Calne that is a fifth straight defeat but once again they were competitive, and that first point cannot be too far away. Highworth’s two leading scorers Bethan Harris and Lauren Bulley were once again amongst the goals, both scoring twice to move their totals for the season on to 15 and 16 respectively, Kirran Sanghera with the other Highworth goal.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins also maintained their 100% winning start to the season with a comprehensive 8-0 win over a Kingsdown side who started the day level on points with Bemerton. Mandy Kidd and Leanne Griffiths-Lower both scored two for Bemerton, with further goals from Deyna Davie, Ellie Hayward, Rachel Land and an eighth of the season from Imogen Brady. Bemerton remain three points behind the leaders Highworth with a game in hand with the two sides set to meet at Highworth this coming weekend.

AFC Brislington picked up their third win in four games with a 2-0 home success over Melksham Town, thus ending Melksham’s winning start to the season, Kia Houghton and Libby Sims with the goals for Brislington. The win for Brislington saw them move up to third spot in the table.

Swindon Supermarine also secured their third win in four games with recent signing from Royal Wootton Bassett Town Lilia Slattery scoring twice with another former Wootton Bassett player Erin Hemsley also getting two, Beth Turner with the other Supermarine goal in a 5-2 success away at Westbury Youth. Two late goals in the final ten minutes for Westbury, Ellie Osbourne and Tiffany Crockford-Ward with the goals.

Ladies Development Division

All four games were completed in the Development Division this week with three of the four games being tight affairs. League leaders Trowbridge Wanderers were made to work hard for the points by an improving Blunsdon side but two early goals from Megan Keast and Tilly Dunnery were enough to give league leaders all three points as they extended their lead at the top of the table.

Marlborough Town climbed up to second place in the table with a big win away at Staverton Rangers. Star of the show in the 8-0 win was Sienna Lewis who scored five of the Marlborough goals, Victoria Goldson netted twice with the other goal coming courtesy of an own goal.

Malmesbury Victoria dropped a place when they were beaten away at South Newton & Barford Hornets by the odd goal in nine. A hat-trick for Kelly Church plus further goals from Lauren Baggot and Georgi Bavister did the damage for the home side, two for Lisa Lane and one apiece for Karen Marshall and Rose Anjos in reply for Malmesbury.

The headline makers in the division though were Kingsdown Development who picked up their first points of the season with a 4-3 home win in the Swindon derby against Ferndale Rodbourne thanks to a 90^th minute goal from substitute Cassie Holberry with her second of the game. The other two Kingsdown goals were scored by Rachel Donovan and Hayley Shipp, Karolina Haylock with two for visitors Ferndale Rodbourne with Shannon Fenton also getting her name on the score sheet.

Ladies Premier Division

Bemerton Heath Harlequins sent a strong message to the rest of the division that they have their eyes on the league title and promotion to the South West Regional Women’s League with an emphatic 9-1 demolition of previous leaders Highworth Town. Zoe Ridley scored a hat-trick with both Amy Hards and Imogen Brady both scoring twice with further goals from Deyna Davie and Leanne Harvey in the big win for Bemerton that saw them move above their beaten opponents on goal difference with a game in hand. Kirran Sanghera with the consolation goal for Highworth.

Kingsdown bounced back from their own heavy defeat at the hands of Bemerton the previous week with a hard fought 3-2 win over AFC Brislington, Shannel Baldwin, Charlotte Chandler and Hollie Lewis with the goals for Kingsdown, Charlotte Morrison and Libby Sims with the AFC Brislington goals.

Westbury Youth picked up their first points of the season with a 13-1 win over a spirited Durrington side who continue to field a side and play their games even though they are clearly struggling and could well lift the league sportsmanship award and associated monetary reward come the season end. Three goals in the first ten minutes through Rebecca Guy (2) and Tiffany Crockford-Ward set Westbury on their way. Megam Ayliffe then added a fourth and went on to score three more times to finish the game on four. The other six goals came through a second half hat-trick from substitute Courtney Crockford-Ward, Amy Barter, Sian McCarthy and Alice Bevan.

There was a close game at the Oakfield Stadium where goals from Maddison Fox and Bethany Turner gave Swindon Supermarine a narrow 2-1 win over Melksham Town who fell to their second consecutive defeat after winning their opening two games, Ella King with the Melksham goal.

However, the headline makers in the division are Calne Town who picked up their first points of the season after a series of narrow defeats in their opening five games. Goals from Megan Godwin, Ellie Hamill, Isobel Satchell and Megan Hamill did the damage for Calne in a 4-0 win away at FC Chippenham.

Ladies Development Division

Marlborough Town are the new leaders of the Development Division after their 4-1 home success over Salisbury. First half goals from Nicola Hobbs and two from Sienna Lewis set them on their way. The second half saw Lewis complete her hat-trick, Samatha Deacon with the consolation goal for Salisbury. The win saw Marlborough move level on points with the previous leaders Trowbridge Wanderers, who were without a game, but head the division by reason of their superior goal difference.

Malmesbury Victoria sit a point behind the top two following their 4-2 home win over Staverton Rangers at the Red Bull. Emilee Collier led the way with two goals for Malmesbury with the other two goals for the home side coming through Rubie Wing and substitute Lisa Lane, Phoebe Vick with both the Staverton goals.

Congratulations to Blunsdon on their first win of the season with Lyndsey Plant the star of the show for Blunsdon scoring all eight goals in their 8-1 win over Kingsdown Development, Rachel Donovon with the consolation goal for Kingsdown. The win for Blunsdon saw them climb three places in the table to sixth spot.

There was a sporting contest at Moredon where unbeaten South Newton & Barford Hornets were made to work hard for the points by an improving Ferndale Rodbourne side who are getting better with each game and that first win of the season can't be too far away. In the end first half goals from Kelly Church and Molly McCarthy were enough to give South Newton & Barford all three points. 

Ladies Premier Division

Bemerton Heath Harlequins opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier Division table on Sunday after a convincing 12-1 win over FC Chippenham as they registered their third double figure score of the season. It was a particularly good afternoon for Amy Hards who helped herself to four goals, Imogen Brady grabbed a hat-trick, Zoe Ridley bagged a brace and there were further goals from Georgia Brown and Deyna Davie.

Second placed Highworth Town lost ground on the leaders after they fell to defeat away at AFC Brislington, Kia Houghton and Megan Wiltshire with the goals for Brislington and a 16^th of the season from Bethan Harris in reply for Highworth as she moved joint top of the goal scoring chart with teammate Lauren Bulley. Highworth remained in second spot on goal difference but are now three points adrift of Bemerton having played one more game. Brislington sit fourth in the table, six points behind the league leaders.

Swindon Supermarine moved level on points with near neighbours Highworth Town ahead of Sunday’s meeting between the two sides at Highworth. They were involved in another derby game on Sunday against Kingsdown and recorded their fifth win in six games with a hard fought 4-2 win. There was just the one goal in it at half time as Supermarine led 3-2, but they made sure of the points with a fourth goal after the break. The goals were shared around with one each for Maddison Fox, Eva Johnstone, Milli Swift and Beth Turner, Turner scoring for the third game in a row, both Kingsdown goals were scored by Charlotte Chandler who moved onto seven for the season.

The final game played on Sunday finished honours even between Melksham Town and Westbury Youth, Lily Baker scoring for Melksham and Courtney Crockford-Ward for Westbury Youth in the 1-1 draw. The game between Calne Town and Durrington was postponed due to Durrington being unable to raise a side.

Ladies Development Division

With league leaders at the start of the day Marlborough Town inactive, both Trowbridge Wanderers and Malmesbury Victoria had the chance to move above Marlborough with victories and it was mission accomplished for both as they both registered their fifth win of the season. Trowbridge Wanderers were away against a spirited Kingsdown Development side who made things hard for the visitors with the two sides turning round at half time with the game still looking for its first goal. Tilly Dunnery finally broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half and two quick fire goals from Megan Feast put Wanderers three goals up and in control of the match. They added a fourth in the final minute of the game through Kate Bosworth to move a point clear at the top of the table, one point ahead of Malmesbury and three ahead of Marlborough Town, although Marlborough have a game in hand.

It was to be a day of away wins in the division as Malmesbury Victoria were also successful on the road, returning with all three points following a 2-0 win at Salisbury, Amelie Gray and Lia Lane getting the goals.

Having won for their first game at home last week, Blunsdon picked up their first ever away win on Sunday to make it two wins on the bounce, returning form South Newton and Barford Hornets with all three points thanks to a 3-1 win. Lyndsey Plant carried on from where she left off last week grabbing two more goals to take her tally for the season into double figures, substitute Georgina Kite with the other Blunsdon goal.

This week’s headline makers in the division though are Ferndale Rodbourne who picked up their first ever win with a 4-1 away success at Staverton Rangers. They trailed 1-0 at the break to an early Phoebe Vick goal but a storming second half saw them turn things round. Star of the show was winger Karolina Haylock who helped herself to a hat-trick, with defender Shannen Fenton getting the other with a chip over the Staverton keeper.

Ladies Premier Division

The heavy rain last week put paid to a couple of Sunday's fixtures in the Ladies Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League, with one game also being postponed with Durrington unable to raise a side due to injuries and illness in their camp. In the end just two games went ahead in the division. The first saw AFC Brislington move level on points with second placed Highworth Town thanks to a 6-0 away win at FC Chippenham. Emily Plummer led the way for the visitors, scoring twice to double her tally for the season, with further goals from Jasmine Pither, Libby Sims, Neave Sparks and substitute Kia Houghton as Brislington made it five wins and two defeats from their opening seven games.

The second game played on Sunday was at Westbury where Westbury Youth entertained Calne Town who were looking to build on their first win of the season in their last outing against FC Chippenham. It was objective achieved for Calne, as a goal in each half from Sophie Shine led them to a 2-1 victory, Sarah Cross with the Westbury goal 20 minuted from time.

Ladies Development Division

The impact of the wet weather was even worse in the Development Division with just the one game surviving. That game was at Moredon where Ferndale Rodbourne were able to utilise the 3G pitch to ensure that their fixture with Salisbury went ahead. Unfortunately for Ferndale they were unable to build on last week's win against Staverton Rangers and fell to a 4-0 defeat, Salisbury scoring twice in each half to secure the three points. There were two goals for Phoebe Spanswick and one apiece for Barbara Brown and Hannah Owen as Salisbury picked up their third win of the season to move fourth in the table, ahead of South Newton and Barford Hornets on goal difference.

League Knockout Cup

The following week saw a break in fixtures due to half-term with the action getting back underway on Sunday 3rd November with the League Cup, with four games in both the Preliminary Round and the First Round of the competition.

League Knockout Cup

There was a break from league action last Sunday with games in both the Preliminary and First Rounds of the League Cup.

In the Preliminary Round, Marlborough Town from the Development Division were looking to create a cup upset when they took on Premier Division side Melksham Town and they went mightily close to doing just that. In the end penalties were needed to settle matters after it had finished 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes. The Melksham Town goal came through Lily Somers on her debut with the other Melksham hero being keeper Cal Adams who saved two penalties in the penalty shoot-out.

Melksham will be away to another Development Division side in the First Round with Salisbury their next round opponents, this after Salisbury ran out 3-0 winners against fellow Development Division side Staverton Rangers on Sunday, matching the league result against the same opponents. There were two goals for Samantha Deacon and one for Georgina Salt as Salisbury completed a league and cup double over Staverton.

Another all-Development Division tie saw Malmesbury Vics entertain South Newton & Barford Hornets. When they had met in the league it had been a close affair with South Newton & Barford edging it by the odd goal in nine, but it was something of a one sided affair in the cup encounter as South Newton & Barford hit five unanswered goals to progress to the First Round. There were five different scorers for the Hornets with one apiece for Lauren Baggot, Georgi Bavister, Molly McCarthy, Lily Burt and Josephine Bromley. South Newton & Barford will now be away to another Development Division side Blunsdon in the First Round.

There was one all Premier Division clash at Brislington where AFC Brislington were at home to Westbury Youth. When the sides met in the league, AFC Brislington ran out 7-1 winners and it was another big win for Brislington in the cup as they hit six goals without reply to progress to the next round. Rhianna Ben-Carew led the way for Brislington netting a hat-trick, Emily Plummer scored two with the other goal in the 6-0 win coming through Clarice White. AFC Brislington will be away to Kingsdown Development in the next round. All three of those outstanding First Round games are set to be played on Sunday 8^th December. 

There were also four First Round ties on Sunday, three of which were games involving just Premier Division sides and they very much went to form. Swindon Supermarine had defeated Durrington 9-0 in the opening game of the season in the league and they recorded another big win hitting seven goals without reply to progress to the Quarter Final stage of the League Cup. There were seven different scorers for Supermarine with Danielle Tuck, Ellie Philpott, Milli Swift, Beth Turner, Maddison Fox and Eva Johnstone all on target, with the other goal coming courtesy of an own goal.

It was predicted to be a close affair between Kingsdown and Highworth Town, the two sides again having met on the opening day of the season in a game that saw Highworth just edge it by the odd goal in three, and it proved to be just that as the two sides served up the closest tie of the round. The result in the end though was another win for Highworth Town as two goals from Lucy March plus one each for leading scorers Lauren Bulley and Bethan Harris secured a 4-2 win, Louise Corcoran and Siobhan Peplow with the Kingsdown goals. Your Sport Swindon were at the game and subscribers can view highlights by clicking on the link below or using the link from the Your Sport Swindon page of the League Website where you can also access all other games in the league that have been covered by Your Sport Swindon.

The other all Premier Division tie saw Calne Town at home to FC Chippenham with the game played on the main pitch at Bremhill View. Having defeated FC Chippenham 4-0 in the league a few weeks back Calne completed a quick-fire league and cup double with a 4-1 win in the cup. The damage was done in the first half with Calne leading 3-0 at the break but an improved second half showing from the visitors saw them restrict Calne to just one more goal whilst also scoring one of their own through Caitlin Angell. The four Calne goals were scored by Ellie Hamill with two, Lucy Buffham and substitute Sophie Shine.

The final tie of the day in the First Round, on paper looked to be the tie of the round, seeing the Development Division league leaders Trowbridge Wanderers looking to cause a cup upset against the leaders of the Premier Division, Bemerton Heath Harlequins. However, it proved to be very much a one-sided affair with the Premier Division leaders Bemerton putting ten goals past Trowbridge, highlighting the strength of the Bemerton side this season. Whilst a heavy defeat, and their first defeat of the season, Trowbridge Wanderers can take consolation from the fact that they did better against Bemerton than three of the Premier Division sides have done so far this season. Amy Hards led the way for Bemerton scoring a hat-trick, Leanne Griffiths-Lower and Zoe Ridley both bagged a brace, and there were further goals from Mandy Kidd, Imogen Brady and Deyna Davie.

Premier Division

Unfortunately, after a number of heavy defeats and difficulties raising a side due to having lost all their players from last season at the start of the season, Durrington have withdrawn from the Premier Division and their results expunged. They will now look to regroup and possibly play friendlies against some of the Development Division sides and other Ladies sides that are just establishing. Going forward this means there will be just four fixtures in the Premier Division each week although on Sunday this could have been just two games with both Calne Town and FC Chippenham calling off their games due to being unable to raise a side. However, due to the proactive co-operation of both Swindon Supermarine and Bemerton Heath Harlequins, a third fixture was arranged for Sunday at very short notice with Swindon Supermarine and Bemerton bringing forward their game originally scheduled for 8^th December. Thank you to both sides for arranging this at such short notice. The two sides then served up an entertaining encounter in front of the Your Sport Swindon cameras.

When the two sides had met in the first fixture back in September title favourites Bemerton Heath Harlequins had hit Swindon Supermarine with 13 unanswered goals and it was to be a much closer affair in the return fixture, with the home side making Bemerton work very hard for the three points. League leaders Bemerton took the lead through Imogen Brady in the opening minutes after an initial effort had been saved by the Supermarine keeper but the ball fell nicely for Brady to fire in for her 15^th of the season. However, Supermarine were quickly back on level terms as a mishit clearance from the Bemerton keeper went straight to Amy Jarvis’ whose shot from distance found the back of the net to bring Supermarine back on level terms. Bemerton restored their lead from the penalty spot after a push in the box, Ellen Clarke making no mistake with her spot kick to put Bemerton 2-1 ahead. Bemerton continued to take the game to Swindon Supermarine and went close on several occasions, but a combination of some excellent saves and stoic defending prevented Supermarine from falling further behind. Bemerton finally got a third when the ball fell nicely for Brady close to the penalty spot and she fired in for goal number 16 of the season and it remained 3-1 at the break. Second half Bemerton continued to press but the best real chance of the early stages of the second half fell the way of Supermarine, the Bemerton keeper pulling off an excellent save diving to her right to deny Supermarine a second goal. After that Bemerton were very much on top and went close on several occasions before Brady added a fourth with a simple tap in for her hat-trick and then scored a fifth after the ball came back off the crossbar and fell nicely for the Bemerton striker for her fourth of the game and 18^th of the season. That is now seven wins in seven games for Bemerton who remain favourites to secure promotion to the South West Regional Women’s League Division One North. They will be able to test their ability against sides at that level this coming Sunday when they host Corsham Town in the Wiltshire FA County Cup, who last season won the old Wiltshire League and were promoted to the South West Regional Women’s League. Defeat and results elsewhere saw Swindon Supermarine drop to fifth although they remain three points behind second-place and with a game in hand. They are also in County Cup action this coming weekend when they host Highworth Town Under 18s. Your Sport Swindon were at Swindon Supermarine game and subscribers can view highlights of the game and an interview with manager Nick Masi by clicking on the link below or using the link from the Your Sport Swindon page of the League website where you can access all other games covered by Your Sport Swindon.

Highworth Town stayed on the heels of Bemerton with an impressive 6-1 away win at Melksham Town with Highworth in fact scoring all seven goals with the Melksham goal coming courtesy of an own goal. Michelle Rich had an enjoyable afternoon for the visitors helping herself to a hat-trick in her second game of the season for Highworth, there was two more for Lauren Bulley who moved onto 19 for the season, before adjusting for Durrington's withdrawal, with Kirsten Rolls getting the other Highworth goal, her first of the campaign. Highworth are without a game this coming Sunday, whilst Melksham Town host Calne Town in a league fixture.

The final game played in the Premier Division on Sunday was a much closer affair and it saw Kingsdown pick up their fifth win of the season in their eight games to date to move above Swindon Supermarine and into fourth place in the table. Charlotte Chandler and Charlotte Robinson both scored twice for Kingsdown in a 4-2 win over Westbury Youth, Rebecca Guy and Carly Keane with the goals for Westbury. Kingsdown are another side taking on South West Regional Division One North opponents this coming Sunday in the Wiltshire County FA County Cup with Purton set to be the visitors to Kingsdown School whilst Westbury Youth host AFC Brislington in a league fixture.

Division One

There was a full schedule of four games in the Development Division. Trowbridge Wanderers  extended their lead at the top of the table following a 5-0 away win against Staverton Rangers. Nadia Radu set them on their way with the opener on 18 minutes, but it remained just the one goal in the first half. Trowbridge stepped up their game after the break and two quick fire goals just before the hour mark from Tilly Dunnery and Megan Keast gave them a 3-0 lead. Two further goals in the closing stages of the game from Ella Garnett and Kate Bosworth, the latter coming in the final minute of the match, completed the scoring. This coming Sunday Trowbridge Wanderers are another side in County Cup action when they take on fellow Development Division side Ferndale Rodbourne, whilst Staverton are without a game due to their pitch being unavailable due to County Cup games involving their youth sides.

Biggest winners of the day were Marlborough Town  who moved up to second place in the table with an 8-0 win over Ferndale Rodbourne. Sienna Lewis led the way for Marlborough scoring a hat-trick to take her total for the season into double figures, Elyssia O’Keeffe scored two with one apiece for Zelie Rowland, Lily Wain and a sixth of the season from Victoria Goldson. Marlborough Town are also in County Cup action this coming Sunday against another Development Division side with an away tie at Salisbury. When they met in the league at Marlborough last month Marlborough ran out 4-1 winners and will start as favourites.

On the subject of Salisbury they moved to within two points of third placed Malmesbury Victoria with a 3-1 home win at the Ray Mac against Blunsdon thanks to two goals from Angela Collins and one from Jade Randall, Claire White with the Blunsdon reply. Salisbury have that cup date with Marlborough Town this coming Sunday, whilst Blunsdon face the daunting task of a game against South West Regional Division One North side Royal Wootton Bassett Town, with a number of the Blunsdon players set to return to play against their old club.

The final game on Sunday in the Development Division saw South Newton & Barford Hornets pick up their fourth league win of the season with a 5-1 home win over bottom of the table Kingsdown Development to also moved to within two points of Malmesbury. Kelly Church and Georgi Bavister both bagged their fifth goals of the season with further goals from Molly McCarthy and Emily Palmer and an own goal completing the scoring for South Newton & Barford, Hope Hedges with the solitary Kingsdown goal.

League Cup

The draw for the Quarter Final of the Ladies League Cup has been made by League Chairman Brian Busson and League Secretary Jim Thorn. The four ties see league leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins drawn away to Calne Town, whilst second placed Highworth Town have a local derby encounter with near neighbours Swindon Supermarine. The winner of the First Round tie between Salisbury and Melksham Town will be home to Ferndale Rodbourne whilst the remaining Quarter Final tie sees either Blunsdon or South Newton & Barford Hornets home to the winner of the First Round tie between Kingsdown Dev and AFC Brislington.

The outstanding First Round ties take place on Sunday 8th December and all the Quarter Final ties are set to take place on Sunday 26th January, the week after the County Cup Second Round games.

Wiltshire County FA Cup

This week in the Ladies Divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League focus of attention switched to the First Round of the Wiltshire FA County Cup and the headline makers are Bemerton Heath Harlequins who made it through to the Second Round by defeating opposition from the South West Regional Women’s League Division One North. Last season in the old Wiltshire County Women’s and Girls League Corsham Town had dominated matters winning all 22 league games and also winning the League Cup defeating Bemerton in the final 4-2. On Sunday Bemerton avenged that cup final defeat by beating Corsham by the same score in the County Cup thanks to two goals from Zoe Ridley, plus further goals from Leanne Harvey and Leanne Griffiths-Lower, Chauntine Lyons and Lucia Ramos with the Corsham goals. Bemerton will be home to Marlborough Town in the Second Round.

Premier Division side Kingsdown and Development Division side Blunsdon were also up against South West Regional Women’s League Division One North opposition and there was to be no happy ending for the two Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League sides in these fixtures. Kingsdown  entertained Purton at Kingsdown School and were beaten 9-1 by their higher league opponents, Charlotte Chandler with the consolation goal for Kingsdown.

Blunsdon had an even tougher fixture away to the highest placed Wiltshire side in the South West Regional Women’s League, Royal Wootton Bassett Town and fell to an 18-0 defeat. Despite the final score line Blunsdon kept going until the end and kept their higher level opposition at bay for the opening ten minutes but once the first goal went in there was no stopping their opponents who demonstrated the big gulf between the level at which the two teams currently play their league games, highlighting the need for a two-tier competition in the Women’s game similar to the men’s. Both Caitlin Brooks and Lucy Goodright fired double hat-tricks for Royal Wootton Bassett, Maddy Elliott registered a hat-trick and there were further goals from Hannah Gulliver, Cara Sommerville and an own goal.

Two further sides from the Premier Division are through to the Second Round. FC Chippenham may still be looking for their first league point following the withdrawal of Durrington but they had a good win in the County Cup First Round scoring seven times against Ashton Keynes. Tyler Webb led the way with four goals, scoring twice in each half, Amy Totterdell bagged a brace and Olivia Nowak with the other FC Chippenham, Leanne Ross and Megan Pacini amongst the goals for Ashton Keynes. FC Chippenham will now be away to Development Division Malmesbury Victoria in the Second Round.

Swindon Supermarine were involved in a much closer game against Highworth Town Under 18s, not the Highworth Town side who play in the Premier Division. In the end goals from Emma Masi and Beth Turner were enough to give Supermarine a 2-1 win and a place in the last 16. Supermarine’s prize for defeating one Highworth Town side is a Second Round tie against the Highworth Town side in our Premier Division.

Two teams from the Development Division were also winners in the First Round on Sunday, beating fellow Development Division opponents to make it through to the last 16. At Salisbury, where Marlborough Town were the visitors, penalties were needed to settle matters after it finished 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes, Nicole Kirkman with both Salisbury goals, Nicola Hobbs and Emily Feilder with the two Marlborough goals. It was Marlborough who held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out winning 4-3 to make it through to the next round and that tie against Bemerton Heath Harlequins.  

The final First Round tie saw Division One leaders Trowbridge Wanderers secure a comfortable passage through to the Second Round with a 9-1 win over Ferndale Rodbourne. Leading 4-0 at the break, Wanderers added five more in the second half with Nathalie Mullis grabbing a hat-trick, Jamie-Lee Curtis and Tilly Dunnery both scoring twice with Megan Keast and Erin Wilkins both scoring one apiece, Amy Liddiard with the consolation goal for Ferndale Rodbourne. Trowbridge’s win means they are actually through to the Quarter Final as their scheduled opponents would have been Durrington who can no longer take part having withdrawn from the league. All the results from Sunday plus details of the Second Round draw are shown below:

Premier Division

There was just one game played in the Ladies Premier Division and it saw Melksham Town  pick up their  second win of the season with a narrow 2-1 victory over Calne Town. Lily Summers gave Melksham a 1-0 lead but Ellie Hamill had Calne back on level terms by the break. The second half saw Melksham captain Sarah Ward grab a winner to give her side the three points. The win for Melksham saw them move above their beaten opponents in the league table.

This coming Sunday league leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins are away to Westbury Youth looking to extend their lead at the top of the table. When they met on the opening day of the season Bemerton hit 13 unanswered goals and will start favourites to maintain their perfect start to the season. Second placed Highworth Town  have a tough looking fixture away at Kingsdown in what will be the third meeting of the two sides this season. The two again played each other on the opening day of the season with Highworth edging a close game by the odd goal, 2-1 the final score on that day. They then met in the First Round of the League Cup, with Highworth winning that one 4-2.  AFC Brislington were 4-2 winners over Calne Town when they met on the opening day of the season and will be looking to complete a league double on Sunday. The final game this coming Sunday sees Melksham Town  entertain FC Chippenham, with the two sides meeting for the first time this season due to FC Chippenham being involved in the FA Cup at the start of the season.

Development Division

There were no league fixtures in Division One last Sunday but there are set to be three games this coming Sunday, all of which are again reverse fixtures from the opening Sunday of the season. League leaders Trowbridge Wanderers  are away to Salisbury who they beat 3-1 on that first Sunday of the season. After Sunday's big loss in the County Cup, Blunsdon travel to Marlborough Town who defeated them 12-0 in what was their first ever game. They will be hoping for a much closer game in the reverse fixture on Sunday although Marlborough will be keen to complete a league double. Also looking to complete a league double will be Malmesbury Victoria who were 5-0 winners over Ferndale Rodbourne on the opening day. 

All games in the two Ladies Divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior were postponed due to the impact of Storm Bert with waterlogged pitches and high winds.

Premier Division

On Sunday just one of the four scheduled fixtures in the Premier Division went ahead with three teams, FC Chippenham, AFC Brislington and Westbury Youth all calling off advising they were unable to raise a side.  All three were scheduled to play teams in the top four in a disappointing trait that occurred also last season when games were awarded in the old Wiltshire League. Games will not be awarded in this division in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League, each team will be fined and suffer a two-point deduction, and the games will be rearranged, all sides will have to play these top sides eventually.

The one game that did go ahead saw Swindon Supermarine win 3-1 away at Calne Town. Leading 1-0 at the break two further goals in the second half for Supermarine with just one in reply for Calne saw Supermarine pick up their fifth win in seven games to move level on points with second placed Highworth Town and AFC Brislington in a close table behind runaway leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Another goal for leading scorer Beth Turner took her onto six for the season with Chanel Crewe, who had unfortunately seen her six goals against Durrington erased from the record books, also on target, with substitute Maddison Fox getting the other Supermarine goal. Isobel Satchell with the solitary reply for Calne Town.

Development Division

The Development Division fared better with two of the four games going ahead, two unfortunately being postponed due to unplayable pitches but credit to both Trowbridge Wanderers and Blunsdon giving the games as much chance as possible, both games failing Sunday morning pitch inspections. The two games that were played saw South Newton & Barford Hornets move up to third place in the table with a narrow 1-0 win over Staverton Rangers thanks to a goal from Molly McCarthy, her fourth of the campaign. Due to results elsewhere Staverton slipped to the bottom of the table.

The one other game played was in Swindon at Kingsdown School where Kingsdown Development  and Salisbury shared four goals and the points following a 2-2 draw. Hayley Shipp with a goal in each half for Kingsdown Development, Nicole Kirkman and Samantha Deacon with the Salisbury goals. The point for Kingsdown Development was enough to take them above Staverton Rangers and off the bottom of the table whilst Salisbury remain in fifth place in the table.

All games in the League Cup, Ladies Premier Division and Development Division were postponed due to Storm Darragh.

It was the Second Round of the Wiltshire County FA Women’s County Cup this weekend which meant there was just one league game played in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. That league fixture was in the Development Division, a local derby game between Ferndale Rodbourne and Blunsdon at Moredon. Having missed Blunsdon’s recent County Cup Firs Round game due to injury, Lyndsey Plant returned to the Blunsdon starting line up on Sunday and was once again immediately amongst the goals, scoring four in a 6-0 Blunsdon win over their near neighbours. For Plant that is now 16 goals so far this season, also on target for Blunsdon were Leah Bodman and Kerri Abbley. 

In the County Cup a number of sides from the league had tough looking games against higher league opposition, none more so than Westbury Youth from our Premier Division who were up against Swindon Town who play three levels higher in the Women's Football Pyramid in Division One South West of the Women's National League. Swindon Town, however, played a league fixture against Bournemouth on the day and fielded their Development side against Westbury in the County Cup but still proved too strong for the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side, securing a 4-0 win to progress to the next round.

Staverton Rangers’ fixture at home to Royal Wootton Bassett Town from the South West Regional League Division One North, two levels higher than Staverton, always looked to be another tough proposition, with their opponents also having put 18 goals past fellow Development Division side Blunsdon in the last round and it proved to be just that. Hannah Gulliver and Emma Sykes, both helped themselves to hat-tricks in a 12-0 win for Royal Wootton Bassett Town, Jasmine Kennedy scored twice with Kathryn Bach, Honor Fraser, Cara Sommerville and regular keeper Millie Powell also scoring.

The other side who were facing South West Regional League Division One North opponents, Melksham Town, will have to wait until the New Year for their game against Purton which was postponed on Sunday, presumably due to pitch conditions, with the game now switched to Melksham and to be played on the first Sunday in January.

The other four ties were all Wiltshire Senior League affairs meaning the league was guaranteed four more sides to join Trowbridge Wanderers in the last eight of the competition. After their heroics in the last round where they eliminated South West Regional Division One North side Corsham Town, Bemerton Heath Harlequins were home to Marlborough Town from the Development Division. There was to be no cup upset but credit to Marlborough who did better than a number of the Premier Division sides have done in the league this season, Bemerton eventually winning 5-1 thanks to two goals from Leanne Harvey and one apiece from Mandy Kidd, Rachel Lang and Zoe Ridley, Nicola Hobbs with the Marlborough Town goal.

There was an all-Premier Division affair at the Webbswood Stadium where Swindon Supermarine entertained near neighbours Highworth Town, with the two sides also set to meet in the Quarter Final of the League Cup in January. In a close encounter Highworth Town took an early lead through leading scorer Lauren Bulley but two goals from Maddison Fox ensured that it would be Swindon Supermarine who would progress to the quarter finals of the competition. Subscribers to Your Sport Swindon can view comments of the two managers following the game by clicking on the link below.

The other two ties both saw sides from the Development Division looking to cause cup upsets by knocking out sides from the Premier Division. Malmesbury Vics from the Development Division were home to Premier Division FC Chippenham  and went into the game with a 100% winning record at home, whilst FC Chippenham are still looking for their first league point of the season but had beaten Ashton Keynes 7-3 in the last round of this competition. It would prove to be another close encounter but in the end the tie went the way of the Premier Division side, goals from Charlotte Cook and Amy Totterdell giving FC Chippenham a 2-1 win, Rubie Wing with the Malmesbury goal.

Development Division side South Newton & Barford Hornets  were another side looking to cause an upset against a Premier Division side when they entertained Calne Town. Once again though there was to be no upset as the Premier Division side once again came out on top, but it was another close game, Calne Town eventually edging it 4-2 thanks to two goals from Cerys Jones, plus further strikes from Chantelle Richards and Helen Turley, Molly McCarthy and Lily Burt with the two goals for the Hornets.

The Wiltshire County FA have already made the draw for the Quarter Finals, and it offers Bemerton Heath Harlequins the unique opportunity for the club to knock out Swindon Town from both the men’s and women’s County Cups in a single season, with the men’s side having already beaten Swindon in the men’s Premier Shield. Swindon Supermarine’s reward for defeating Highworth is a trip to either Purton, from the South West Regional League Division One North, or fellow Premier Division side Melksham Town  in the next round. FC Chippenham are the other side who will be up against higher league opponents having been drawn away to Royal Wootton Bassett Town from the South West Regional League Division One North. The final quarter final tie guarantees a Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side will be in the semi finals, with Premier Division Calne Town having been drawn at home to Development Division league leaders Trowbridge Wanderers.

Whilst it had been frozen pitches that had devastated the fixture schedule in the men’s divisions on Saturday the knock-on effect was felt on Sunday in the Ladies divisions with waterlogged pitches the order of the day. All four games in the Development Division were postponed and the two games on grass pitches in the Premier Division were both postponed also. This left just two games in the Premier Division being played on 3G pitches, one impacting the top end of the division and one featured the two sides at the foot of the table.

The game at the top end of the table saw AFC Brislington  entertain Swindon Supermarine, the two sides meeting for the first time this season. The two teams started the day separated in the league table only by goal difference and a close encounter was anticipated and it proved to be the case. With several players missing due to illness and work commitments, Swindon Supermarine fielded a young side that acquitted themselves well against their fellow challenger for honours in the division. In the end goals from Charlotte Morrison, with her fourth of the season, and a second of the season from Jelissa Burke were enough to give AFC Brislington the points in a 2-1 win, Maddison Fox with the goal for Swindon Supermarine taking her total for the season to seven. Unfortunately, Supermarine’s defender Sophie Chilcott suffered a dislocated ankle in the game and all at the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League wish her a speedy recovery. The win for AFC Brislington saw them move clear second in the table three points behind league leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins but having played one more game than the league leaders.

The game impacting the bottom end of the table saw FC Chippenham entertain the side just above them in the table, Westbury Youth, with both teams looking for their first league win of the season after the withdrawal of Durrington. It proved to be a tight affair until the hour mark with both defences keeping their opponents out, but once the deadlock was broken by Westbury, they went on to score four more times to record that first league win and open up a four-point gap over their beaten opponents. That all important first goal was scored by Megan Ayliffe with the same player adding a second five minutes later. Alice Bevan then added a third just two minutes later before adding a fourth three minutes after that as Westbury effectively ended the game as a contest with those four goals in a ten minute spell. Sarah Cross then rounded off a good afternoon for Westbury with a fifth goal two minutes from time. Alan Swan Photography was at the game with their camera and more of their excellent pictures from the game can be viewed on the League Facebook Group page. 

All other games scheduled for Sunday were postponed due to waterlogged pitches including the Wiltshire County Cup game between Melksham Town and Purton from the South West Regional League.

It has not been a great start to 2025 in the two Ladies divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League as the weather once again decimated the fixture schedule for a second week running. In the end just the one league game was played, the 3G pitch at Moredon enabling the Development Division game between Ferndale Rodbourne and Kingsdown Development to be played. Thankfully the Wiltshire County Cup game between Melksham Town and Purton from the South West Regional Women’s League Division One North was also finally played at the third attempt. Unfortunately, there would not be a happy ending for the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side who did well to get the game on given the weather,  as the team who are struggling at the bottom end of the Step 6 Division put seven unanswered goals past Melksham to progress to the quarter final where they will meet another Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side, Swindon Supermarine this coming Sunday.

In the one Development DIvision league game to go ahead, Kingsdown Development completed a league double over Ferndale Rodbourne winning 5-3, having also won the first meeting between the two sides 4-3 back in September. The win saw Kingsdown climb above their beaten opponents in the league table. Goals in the opening ten minutes from Keeva Morris and Katie Yeates set Kingsdown on their way and there were further goals from Hayley Shipp, Cassie Holberry and Hope Hedges. In reply for Ferndale, Karolina Haylock scored twice to take her tally for the season to seven, with Jodie Richardson netting her first of the season for the other Ferndale goal.

All other games scheduled were postponed due to frozen pitches.

Wiltshire FA Women's County Cup

The main focus of the teams from the Ladies Premier Division Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League this weekend was the Wiltshire FA Women’s County Cup with all three of the ties played involving teams from the league.  Premier Division leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins were looking to complete what would have been a unique double for the club over both senior sides of Swindon Town in the same season. Bemerton had beaten Swindon Town in the men’s Premier Shield and the ladies’ team were looking to emulate the achievement of their men’s side. In the last round Swindon Town had fielded their Development side against Westbury Youth, whilst the first team played a league fixture in the FA Women’s National League but for this quarter final tie Swindon fielded a much stronger side with just one of the starting lineup from the earlier round starting on this occasion, with three of the others coming on as substitutes later in the game. In the end, Bemerton found the the three-division gap between the sides too much to overcome but gave a good account of themselves. Swindon went in front on 22 minutes, Mia Mugford setting up Tori St Clair who rounded the keeper to slot home for 1-0. Swindon then doubled their lead four minutes later courtesy of an own goal. Swindon went further ahead three minutes before the half time break, Stephaney Bent getting on the end of a cross from Elise Haines to make it 3-0.  It remained that way until just after the hour mark, Mia Mugford adding a fourth for Swindon, lobbing the Bemerton keeper from the edge of the box. That was to be the end of the afternoon’s scoring as it finished 4-0 to Swindon who progress to the semi final of the competition they won last season. Barbara Swan was at the game with her camera and more of her excellent pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

Whilst Bemerton were up against last season’s winners, Swindon Supermarine were away to last season’s beaten finalists Purton from the South West Regional Division One North. An impressive first half showing saw Supermarine take the lead through Chanel Crewe but Lisa Coe equalised for Purton as the two sides turned around with all to play for. Unfortunately for Supermarine, Purton went in front for the first time in the game within a minute of the restart, Chloe Neate giving her side the lead. The rest of the second half though turned into the Hayley Huckin show as the experienced striker helped herself to a hat-trick as Purton ran out 5-1 winners to secure their place in the last four.  

The other quarter final tie played on Sunday was an all Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League affair with Development Division league leaders at the start of the day, Trowbridge Wanderers, looking to cause an upset against Premier Division opposition in Calne Town. At half time it looked like a cup upset could be on the cards with Wanderers leading 1-0 thanks to a goal on 25 minutes from Nathalie Mullis. However, Helen Turley had Calne back on level terms within five minutes of the restart. It remained that way until the game entered its closing stages with it looking like penalties would be needed to settle matters but there was to be late drama. Two minutes from time Turley bagged her second of the game to break Wanderers hearts as the Premier Division side secured a narrow 2-1 win over the Development Division side to join Swindon Town and Purton in that semi final draw.

The final quarter final game between Royal Wootton Bassett Town and FC Chippenham was postponed with FC Chippenham unable to raise a side. However, the Wiltshire FA stipulated that the game needs to be played and was rescheduled for the following Thursday night at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground.

League Cup

As well as the County Cup action the two outstanding games in the League Cup to complete the First Round were played on Sunday. In the game at Salisbury Premier Division side Melksham Town proved too strong for their Development Division opponents. Rhiannon Smart put them 1-0 up with half an hour on the clock with what proved to be the only goal of the first half. Melksham Town stepped up their game after the break and doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half through Sarah Ward. Four minutes later Jade Wozniak put Melksham well and truly in command of the tie before India Mulliss added a fourth eleven minutes of time to ensure it was Melksham who progressed to the last eight where they would be home to Ferndale Rodbourne. Unfortunately, Ferndale have advised the league they cannot raise a side for Sunday’s quarter final tie and Melksham will consequently get a free pass into the last four.

The other cup tie was an all Development Division affair between Blunsdon and South Newton and Barford Hornets. When the two sides had met in the league back in October Blunsdon ran out 3-1 winners but on Sunday South Newton and Barford avenged that earlier defeat with a narrow 2-1 win. It was all square at 1-1 at half time but a second goal after the break ensured it would be South Newton and Barford who would progress to the quarter final thanks to goals from Maelin Hayes and Molly McCarthy, Kerri Abbley with the Blunsdon goal. South Newton and Barford Hornets will now host Premier Division side AFC Brislington in the quarter final. 

Premier Division

With the cup action, there was just the one league game in the Premier Division and it saw Highworth Town move up to second place in the table with a 5-0 home win over Westbury Youth  with Bethan Harris scoring four of the Highworth goals to take her total for the season up to 15, although she also scored six times against Durrington and would have been the division’s top scorer if these had not been expunged from the record books. Highworth are now just three points behind leaders Bemerton having played one game more.

Development Division

There were two games in the Development Division on Sunday with games impacting both the top and bottom ends of the division. At the top of the division there are now new league leaders as Marlborough Town moved above Trowbridge Wanderers following a 3-1 away win at Malmesbury Victoria which saw them move level on points with Trowbridge, but they head the division by reason of a superior goal difference. Two goals for Elyssia O'Keeffe plus one from Sienna Lewis did the damage for Marlborough, Laura Deacon with the reply for Malmesbury.

At the other end of the table the bottom two were in action at Moredon and in a close encounter two goals from Charlotte Saunders, one in each half, saw Staverton Rangers  edge it 2-1 over Ferndale Rodbourne, Lily-May Jones with the Ferndale goal. The win for Staverton saw them move off the bottom to be replaced by their beaten opponents. 

All the games in the Ladies Premier Division, Development Division and League Cup were postponed due to waterlogged pitches on Sunday 26 January 2025.

League Cup

The improved weather meant that all but one of the scheduled games involving  the Ladies divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League went ahead on Sunday, including two of the three outstanding games in the League Cup quarter finals. At the Save On Tyres Stadium Highworth Town were up against near neighbours Swindon Supermarine with a place in the last four of this season’s competition at stake. With just one place and three points separating the two sides in the Premier Division league table a close contest was anticipated, and it proved to be just that with a solitary goal from Highworth’s Bethan Harris being the difference between the sides come the end of 90 minutes. The two sides are set to meet again this coming Sunday when they play each other in the league.

The other quarter final cup tie saw Premier Division leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins put seven unanswered goals past Calne Town to reach the semi-final. The Premier Division’s leading scorer Imogen Brady led the way with a hat-trick with further goals from Zoe Ridley, Leanne Griffiths-Lower, Amy Hards and Ellie Hayward. The draw for the next round has been made by League Chairman Brian Busson and League Secretary Jim Thorn and will be released once the final quarter final tie between South Newton & Barford Hornets and AFC Brislington, which is set for this coming Sunday, has been played.

Premier Division

Both teams warmed up for that cup quarter final with home wins on Sunday. In the Premier Division AFC Brislington moved second in the table with a 4-1 victory over Kingsdown. Rhianna Ben-Carew doubled her league goal tally for the season with two of the Brislington goals, with Jelissa Burke and Kirsty Smith also finding the target, leading scorer Charlotte Chandler with the Kingsdown goal. Lily Somers then added a third just after the half hour mark with her third goal of the season.

The other game played in the Premier Division saw Melksham Town pick up their third win of the season with a 6-0 home win over FC Chippenham. India Mulliss set Melksham on their way with the opener and the same player then doubled the home side’s lead on 25 minutes. Lily Summers then added a third just after the half hour mark with what was her third goal of the season. A fourth scored by Rebecca Kench sent Melksham into the half time break with a 4-0 lead and in a commanding position. FC Chippenham came out for the second half and an improved showing saw them stop the flow of goals until 25 minutes from time when Kench added her second of the game. There was to be one more for Melksham, Izzy McGuinness scoring her first goal of the season to round off a good afternoon for her side who moved to within two points of Kingsdown with a game in hand.

Development Division

Meanwhile in the Development Division, South Newton & Barford Hornets registered their biggest win of the season scoring ten goals without reply against Ferndale Rodbourne as they warmed up for next week’s cup encounter. There were hat-tricks for both Molly McCarthy and Lauren Baggot, substitute Sydney Buell bagged a brace with the other two goals coming through Kelly Church and Phoebe Whettleton. The win for South Newton & Barford saw them move level on points with Marlborough Town and Trowbridge Wanderers having played one more game in what is turning into a close title race.

The other two games played on Sunday were both tight affairs. At Kingsdown School, a solitary strike from Blunsdon’s Leah Bodman, after she outpowered the home defence to fire a shot from a tight angle into the far corner of the net, was enough to give her side all three points against Kingsdown Development  in their local derby encounter. The win for Blunsdon saw them move to within a point of Salisbury in the league table. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view highlights of the game by clicking on the link below.

The game at Southwick Playing Field saw Staverton Rangers and Malmesbury Victoria share six goals and the points. That is now two games unbeaten for Staverton who had been defeated by Malmesbury earlier in the season, but recent results have shown that they are now a much-improved side. It was a particularly good afternoon for Staverton’s Maisie Harris who scored a hat-trick with the Malmesbury goals coming through Emilee Collier, Lisa Lane and Karen Marshall. The point for Malmesbury means they now trail the top three by three points, having played more games than all of those top three sides.

The final game of the week was scheduled to be the encounter between Salisbury and league leaders Marlborough Town but unfortunately a broken boiler saw the game at the Ray Mac having to be postponed. Thankfully it was repaired in time for Tuesday’s first team game in the Wiltshire Premier Shield so next Sunday’s home game against Trowbridge Wanderers should go ahead.

League Cup

The one outstanding Ladies League Cup Quarter Final took place on Sunday on a very heavy pitch at Bishopdown, with South Newton & Barford Hornets from the Development Division entertaining AFC Brislington from the Premier Division. South Newton & Barford came into the game in good form, with five wins in their previous six games. Their only defeat in that run had come at the hands of Premier Division Calne Town in the county cup, and they were hopeful of causing an upset against Premier Division opposition. Due to a couple of players dropping out through illness, and one getting stuck in traffic, AFC Brislington were forced to start the game with just ten players which did not help their cause on the heavy pitch. Despite starting with the numerical disadvantage there was to be no cup upset though, but it was a close run thing. In the end AFC Brislington just edged the game by the odd goal in five, leading scorer Rhianna Ben-Carew scoring a hat-trick to see her team through to the last four, Sydney Buell and Sheriden Palk with the two goals for the Hornets. South Newton & Barford are now left to concentrate on the league and with their recent results are very much in the battle for honours this season.

The win for AFC Brislington means that all four semi-finalists are from the Premier Division. The draw for the semi final has been made by League Chairman Brian Busson and League Secretary Jim Thorn and its sees Premier Division leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins at home to AFC Brislington, whilst Melksham Town will host Highworth Town in the other semi final with both games set to take place on Sunday 2^nd March. The full details of the cup competition this season, including the semi final draw, is shown below:

Premier Division

As well as the cup game there was a full schedule of league fixtures in the Premier Division with all four games being played. League leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins  were away to Melksham Town and maintained their unblemished record in the league with a 5-0 win to extend their lead at the top of the table to three points. Three more goals for the division’s leading scorer Imogen Brady plus further goals from Rachel Lang and Zoe Ridley did the damage for Bemerton. Bemerton have confirmed that they have applied for promotion to the South West Regional Women’s League and based on current form they are looking likely to be taking their place at the higher level next season.

Highworth Town are up to second place in the table following a hard fought 1-0 win over near neighbours Swindon Supermarine  for the second weekend running, with Bethan Harris getting the vital goal in both games. The two teams turned around at the break with the score goalless but a long ball out of defence found Harris behind the visitors defence, the Supermarine keeper still had the chance to clear but missed her kick allowing Harris to fire into the empty net for what turned out to be the only goal of the game. Supermarine did have the ball in the net following a corner but the goal was disallowed for a foul on the Highworth keeper. The three points for Highworth saw them move above AFC Brislington into second place, three points behind Bemerton Heath Harlequins having played one game more. Your Sport Swindon were at the game with their cameras and subscribers can view the highlights and the reaction of the two managers by clicking on the Your Sport Swindon logo below:

Calne Town warmed up for next week’s County Cup semi final against Purton from the South West Regional League Division One North with a 4-2 victory over Kingsdown, avenging the 5-3 defeat they had suffered at the hands of Kingsdown back in September. Recent signing Beth Westlake scored two of the Calne Town goals on debut with further goals from Sophie Shine and Milly Price, Katrina Dias and a seventh goal of the season from Siobhan Peplow in reply for Kingsdown.

The final game of the weekend in the Premier Division involved the two sides at the bottom of the table Westbury Youth and FC Chippenham. When the two sides had met at the start of the calendar year Westbury had secured a 5-0 win but it was somewhat closer in the return fixture with plenty of goals to entertain the crowd. Holly Provis put visitors FC Chippenham ahead with just three minutes on the clock but two goals from Megan Ayliffe then put Westbury 2-1 up. However, the lead did not last long as a goal from Tyler Webb restored parity within a minute of Ayliffe having given Westbury the lead. Westbury were to go into the half time break with a one goal advantage though, Ayliffe completing a first half hat-trick with her third nine minutes before the break. Whilst Ayfliffe had taken centre stage in the first half, the second half saw team mate Alice Bevan match her goal scoring achievement firing in a second half hat-trick, the final one of the three coming four minutes from time, after Tyler Webb had pulled one back for FC Chippenham.  The 6-3 win for Westbury saw them complete the league double over FC Chippenham and move five points clear of their beaten opponents. Alan and Barbara Swan were al the game with their cameras and their pictures can be viewed on the League Facebook Group Page.

Development Division

There were three games played in the Development Division on Sunday and all three impacted the top of the division in what is turning out to be a very close and competitive first season. League leaders Marlborough Town were home to improving Blunsdon and with neither side finding the back of the net the two sides had to settle for a point apiece. Having beaten Blunsdon 12-0 at the start of the season, Marlborough probably viewed this as two points dropped but Blunsdon are now unbeaten in three league games and are a different proposition to the side that Marlborough beat on the opening day of the season, and they have now opened a healthy seven gap over the two teams just below them in the table.

Whilst dropping a couple of points, Marlborough would have been relieved to hear that nearest rivals Trowbridge Wanderers  had fallen to a 2-1 defeat away at Salisbury. Salisbury went in front as early as the second minute, Jade Randall firing in following an Angela Collins corner to give Salisbury the early lead. It remained that way until just before half time when Trowbridge Wanderers scored an equaliser to send the two sides into the half time break all square with all to play for. Whilst Salisbury had scored early in the first half the winner was to come late on in the game, Danica Pomroy getting on the end of a cross from Georgina Salt to give Salisbury all three points avenging the 3-1 defeat they suffered on the opening day of the season against Wanderers. The win for Salisbury saw them move to within two points of their beaten opponents with just three points separating the top five teams with all to play for in the second half of the season.

Malmesbury Vics  sit just above Salisbury in the table level on points with both Trowbridge Wanderers and South Newton and Barford Hornets following a 6-1 away win against Kingsdown Development. Laura Deacon led the way scoring four of the Malmesbury goals, Emilee Collier getting the other two goals for the visitors as they completed a league double over Kingsdown.

Due to half term there are no fixtures in the Development Division next week but there are a couple of County Cup games involving Calne Town and AFC Brislington from the Premier Division, plus two rearranged Premier Division fixtures.

Premier Division

With it being the start of Half Term week there was a limited programme of games in the Ladies Divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with just the one league fixture played and two County Cup games.

The one league game was in the Premier Division, and it saw league leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins  secure a comprehensive win over Westbury Youth, scoring 13 goals without reply to open up a six-point lead at the top of the table. Ellen Clarke led the way scoring four of the Bemerton goals, Amy Sanger and substitutes Zoe Ridley and Imogen Brady all scored twice, with further goals from Leanne Griffiths-Lower, Rachel Lang and Amy Hards. With all the teams at top the division now having just seven league games to play, Bemerton who attended one of the recent promotion workshops run by the FA, look on track for their aim of elevation to the South West Regional Women’s League come the end of the season. Barbara Swan was at the game with her camera and more of her pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

County Cups

There were mixed results for the two sides involved in their respective County Cup competition with both Calne Town and AFC Brislington up against sides from the South West Regional Women’s League North Division. In the semi final of the Wiltshire Women’s County Cup Calne Town took on Purton at Green Lane, Devizes. The Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League side gave a good account of themselves against their higher league opponents, holding them to 0-0 until just before the hour mark. A goal from Purton’s Hayley Huckin on 56 minutes finally broke the deadlock and a second shortly after from Amelia Fowles put Purton in command of the tie. A third scored by substitute Shona Moore made sure it would be Purton who progressed to the final where they will meet Swindon Town for a second season running, this after Swindon defeated Royal Wootton Bassett Town 2-0 in the other semi final in a game switched to the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground to avoid a 10:30am kick-off.  

AFC Brislington were also up against opponents from the South West Regional Women’s League for their quarter final tie in the Somerset Women’s Junior Cup, their opponents Paulton Rovers. A goal from Rhianna Ben-Carew gave AFC Brislington a 1-0 half time lead but an equaliser from Paulton Rovers’ Darcy Baber meant penalties were needed to settle matters. The side from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League held their nerve in the penalty shoot out to triumph 5-4 and progress to the semi final stage where they will be joined by Bath City, Weston Super Mare and Nailsea United.

Premier Division

On a wet afternoon in Wiltshire there were just two games played in the Ladies Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League on Sunday, with the pitch deemed unplayable at Highworth Town and FC Chippenham unable to raise for the visit of Bemerton Heath Harlequins.  

The first of the two games that was played was a local derby encounter in Swindon between Kingsdown and Swindon Supermarine at Kingsdown School. It started well for the home side Kingsdown who went in front from the penalty spot, but Maddison Fix had Supermarine back on level terms before half time. A second penalty in the second half saw Kingsdown restore their lead and this time there was to be no comeback from Swindon Supermarine. The two goal scorers for Kingsdown were Katrina Dias and Alexi Lee. The win for Kingsdown saw them move above their beaten opponents into fourth place in the table on goal difference. Alex White was at the game with his camera and more of his pictures can be found on his Flickr Page.

The other game played was at Westbury Youth where Melksham Town were the visitors. When the two sides had met earlier in the season, they had shared two goals and the points, and it would prove to be another tight game. Westbury Youth scored first but Izzy McCuinness had Melksham back on level terms on 51 minutes. The same player then added a second goal just after the hour mark to give Melksham the lead for the first time in the game and then a third from Ella King 15 minutes from time made sure of the three points for Melksham as they ran out 3-1 winners. Melksham remain in sixth spot but moved to within two points of Swindon Supermarine with a game in hand.  Barbara Swan was at the game with her camera and more of her pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

Development Division

A waterlogged pitch also put paid to one of the games in the Development Division, Trowbridge Wanderers scheduled home game against Kingsdown Development being the fixture that will need to be rescheduled for later in the season.

Whilst the other three games all got the go ahead only two of the three games would go the full duration, the game at Sutton Park between Blunsdon and South Newton & Barford Hornets being abandoned 16 minutes from time due to the deteriorating conditions with Blunsdon leading 4-2 at the time the game was called to a premature holt, Laura Gammon, Jody Nicholls, Lyndsey Plant and Kerri Abbley with the Blunsdon goals, Maelin Hayes and Lauren McNeill-Baggott with the reply for the Hornets. The League Discipline Committee will now need to discuss whether the game needs to be restaged.

The first of the two games that were completed involved league leaders Marlborough Town who were home to Staverton Rangers. When they had met earlier in the season Marlborough had run out comfortable 8-0 winners, but it was to be a much tighter affair in the return fixture with Marlborough eventually coming out on top thanks to two second half goals from Erin Robinson and Lily Wain, Emily Davies with the Staverton Rangers goal. The win for Marlborough saw them move three points clear at the top of the table.  

Moving up into second place are Salisbury after they secured a narrow 4-3 away win at Malmesbury Victoria, avenging the 2-0 home defeat they had suffered earlier in the season.  Salisbury started well but despite having much of the early play found themselves trailing 2-0 at half time. They upped their game after the break and two goals from Nicole Kirkman brought them back level at 2-2. Kirkman then went from scorer to provider setting up Danica Pomroy for a third Salisbury goal. Malmesbury responded well to going behind for the first time in the game and got themselves back on level terms at 3-3. Salisbury were not to be denied though, Georgina Salt grabbing a late winner to secure the three points with a well taken goal for 4-3. On target for Malmesbury were Lisa Lane, Emma Sharpe and Clare Turner.  

League Cup

The first Ladies League Cup Final under the banner of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League will fittingly feature the current top two sides in the Premier Division following Sunday’s cup semi-finals but both the beaten semi finalists pushed their opponents all the way.  

At Bemerton, league leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins hosted AFC Brislington who are another side having a good season, currently sitting in third place in the table and also through to the semi-final of the Somerset County Cup. When the two sides had met in the second week of the season at Brislington in the league, Bemerton had returned with all three points following a 4-0 win, but it was to be a much closer affair in the cup semi final. Indeed, it needed penalties to settle matters as the two sides couldn’t be separated at the end of 90 minutes, both sides scoring three times in an entertaining 3-3 draw. AFC Brislington led 3-2 going into the final minute of the game but conceded a penalty to give Bemerton the chance of sending the tie itself to penalties. The spot kick was duly put away to level matters up and hence the need for the shootout.   Two more goals for Leanne Griffiths-Lower making it five for her so far in the cup and taking her season total in all competitions to 13, with Imogen Brady getting the other Bemerton goal, making it five in the cup for her also and 27 in total in all competitions for the division’s leading goal scorer. In reply for AFC Brislington there were two more goals for their leading scorer Rhianna Ben-Carew, as she also moved onto 13 for the season, Clarice Rice with the other AFC Brislington goal.  In the penalty shootout it was Bemerton who held their nerve to emerge victorious 5-4 at the end of the spot kick contest. Last season Bemerton had reached the League Cup Final in the last season under the Wiltshire Women’s & Girls League, losing 4-2 in the final to Corsham Town, and will be hoping to go one better this season. AFC Brislington meanwhile will have a second attempt to make a cup final when they meet Weston Super Mare from the South West Regional Women’s League Division One South in the semi-final of the Somerset Junior Cup on Sunday 16^th March.

Bemerton's opponents in the final, which is to be played on Sunday 23^rd March at the Sustain Stadium, home of Royal Wootton Bassett Town FC, will be Highworth Town who overcame Melksham Town in their semi-final at the Oakfield Stadium on Sunday. In a first half of limited chances, the two sides turned around at the break with the game still awaiting its first goal. It was Highworth who got themselves in front early in the second half, Erin Pearce firing home from a free kick to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Highworth them doubled their lead when substitute Baeley Foster headed in and Highworth then made sure they did not concede at the other end to book their place in the final after what had been a tight contest between the two Premier Division sides. 

Premier Division

In addition to the two cup games there were also two games in the league in the Premier Division. On an afternoon of close affairs, Kingsdown consolidated their fourth-place position in the table with a narrow 3-2 away win at Westbury Youth.  Kingsdown’s Stephanie Quince and Westbury’s Megan Ayliffe both scored twice for their respective sides with Charlotte Robinson also getting on the score sheet for Kingsdown as they completed a league double over Westbury Youth.  Barbara Swan was at the game with her camera and more of her pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

The other Premier Division game was also a close affair with bottom of the table FC Chippenham putting up a spirited performance against Calne Town, keeping the score level at 0-0 until the hour mark when Megan Hamill finally broke the deadlock with a goal for Calne. Calne then scored a second 15 minutes from time through Isobell Satchell and the same player then made sure of the points for the home side with a third as Calne ran out 3-0 winners to open up a five point gap over Westbury Youth and ease their relegation concerns, just as their men’s Reserve side had done the day before on a good weekend for the club in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. 

Development Division

There was a full schedule of league fixtures played in the Development Division on Sunday and the race for honours continues to be an exciting one with just four points separating the top five sides. Marlborough Town continue to lead the way but they were held to a 3-3 draw by fifth placed Malmesbury Vics at Elcot Lane. On target for Marlborough were Erin Robinson, Zelie Rowland and Lily Wain, with Laura Deacon, Melanie Lister and a tenth of the season from Lisa Lane in reply for Malmesbury.

It also finished honours even in the game between third place Trowbridge Wanderers and South Newton & Barford Hornets, the side just below Wanderers in the table. Kelly Church scoring for South Newton & Barford in the 1-1 draw, Erin Wilkins with the goal for Trowbridge Wanderers, both goals coming in the first half.  

The only side in the top five to win on Sunday were second placed Salisbury  who had a convincing home win over bottom of the table Ferndale Rodbourne. Leading 4-0 at the break, Salisbury added a further five goals without replay after half time to secure a convincing 9-0 win on the 3G at Sarum. Nicole Kirkman led the way scoring a hat-trick with the remaining six goals being shared around the side with Samantha Deacon, Barbara Brown, Leanne Ford, Hannah Owen, Danica Pomroy and Angela Collins all getting their name on the score sheet. The win for Salisbury saw them move to within a point of Marlborough but the have played two games more and have just four games to play, including a visit from the league leaders at the end of the month.

The only other winners in the Division on Sunday were Staverton Rangers, two early goals in the first 15 minutes of the match from Phoebe Vick giving them a 2-0 home win over Blunsdon to move to within four points of their beaten opponents with the two sides set to meet in the return at Blunsdon a week on Sunday when Staverton will be hoping to complete a league double.

Premier Division

Just three of the four scheduled games in the Ladies Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League went ahead last Sunday, with the top three side all securing a win as they continued to dominate the division.

Leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins made it ten wins from ten games with a 5-0 away victory at Calne Town to maintain their six-point lead at the top of table. Two goals from Amy Hards, another one from the division’s leading scorer Imogen Brady, a first of the season from Nicola Frier plus one from Leanne Harvey did the damage for Bemerton who remain on course for the perfect season with just six game to go. The first of those six games sees the return fixture with Calne.

Highworth Town ensured the gap at the top did not get any bigger with a 4-1 win over Melksham Town at the Recreation Ground, completing a quick-fire league and cup double over their opponents. Melksham had pushed Highworth all the way in the cup game the previous week, but it was something of a more comfortable afternoon for Highworth in this league fixture. Two goals from Leah Holder, her first of the season, with Kirsten Rolls and Rebecca Fairclough also getting on the score sheet, secured the win for Highworth, Izzy McGuinness with the Melksham goal in reply for Melksham.

Third placed AFC Brislington remain two points behind Highworth after they picked up their eighth win in ten games, but they were made to work hard for the three points by an improving Westbury Youth side, Brislington eventually edging it by the odd goal in a five-goal game. Two more goals from Rhianna Ben-Carew plus one from Amber Coates for Brislington with Megan Ayliffe amongst the goals for Westbury. Barbara Swan was at the game with her camera and more of her pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

The final scheduled game between FC Chippenham and Swindon Supermarine was unfortunately postponed as FC Chippenham failed to raise a side once again. 

Development Division

There was a full round of four games in the Ladies Development Division and it saw league leaders Marlborough Town extend their lead at the top of the table to three points following a 6-0 away win over Ferndale Rodbourne. Nicola Hobbs set them on their way, Erin Robinson doubled their lead and then Sienna Lewis sent them into the half time break 3-0 to the good. Second half goals from Robinson with her second of the game, Isabella Curtis and Sarah Kirk matched that first half showing as Marlborough maintained their unbeaten record.

Second placed Salisbury lost ground in the title race when they were held to a 0-0 draw by an improving Blunsdon side at Sutton Park.

Trowbridge Wanderers moved to within one point of second place Salisbury with a hard fought 2-0 home win over Staverton Rangers, both goals coming in the second half. Nadia Radu broke the deadlock on the hour mark and Tilly Dunnery doubled the lead 16 minutes from time. Wanderers have three games in hand over Salisbury and one over Marlborough Town who they trail by four points and who they still have to play again having drawn 3-3 back in September in a game that could prove pivotal in the title race.

South Newton & Barford Hornets are also still very much in the title race, level on points with Trowbridge from the same number of games after a 4-0 win over Kingsdown Development. There were two goals for Maelin Hayes, plus one each for Georgi Bavister and Kelly Church in this latest win. With South Newton & Barford Hornets yet to play Marlborough Town this season these are another two key games in what is turning into a fascinating title race.

Premier Division

There were just three games played this weekend in the Ladies Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with FC Chippenham calling off for the sixth time this season due to being unable to raise a side and they have now made the decision to withdraw from the league with immediate effect. In due course their record is expected to be expunged due to the side not having played 75% of their games although the matter still needs to be discussed at the next Discipline Meeting.

The three games that did take place on Sunday saw the top two Bemerton Heath Harlequins  and Highworth Town both pick up big wins ahead of next week’s League Cup Final between the two sides. Bemerton Heath Harlequins netted a dozen unanswered goals in their home game against Calne Town. The division’s top scorer Imogen Brady led the way adding five more to her impressive total, Zoe Ridley scored four and there were further goals from Deyna Davie, Nicola Frier and Ellie Hayward. Alan Swan was at the game with his camera and more of his pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

Highworth Town made the short journey along the A361 into Swindon to take on Kingsdown at Kingsdown School and returned home with all three points following a 5-1 win. Two goals for Michelle Rich plus one apiece for Kirran Sanghera, Bethan Harris and Rebecca Fairclough, Siobhan Peplow with the Kingsdown reply. The win sees Highworth remain six points adrift of leaders Bemerton with both teams having played 11 games.

The other game in the Premier Division saw Swindon Supermarine pick up their sixth win of the season, a 3-1 home victory over Westbury Youth who were playing their penultimate game of the season having just got on and played their games in the division this season, unlike some of the other sides. Two goals from Beth Turner and one from Georgie Gibson secured the points for Swindon Supermarine, top scorer Megan Ayliffe with the Westbury goal. 

Unfortunately AFC Brislington's participation in this season's Somerset County Cup was brought to an end at the semi final stage when they were defeated 8-0 by Weston Super Mare from the Regen Arable South West Regional Womens Football League.

Development Division

The title race in the Development Division is shaping up to be a three-way battle between Marlborough Town, Trowbridge Wanderers and South Newton & Barford Hornets. On Sunday league leaders Marlborough Town had a comfortable afternoon against Kingsdown Development at Elcot Lane. Star of the show was Isabella Curtis who scored a hat-trick, Lily Wain bagged a brace including one deep into injury time at the end of the match, with Louise Lallament and Zelie Rowland also getting their names on the score sheet. Results elsewhere meant that Marlborough increased their lead at the top of the table to four points although the two teams just below them in the table both have a game in hand.

Salisbury started the day in second place in the table ahead of the visit of local rivals South Newton & Barford Hornets to the Ray Mac. Salisbury made a good start to the game, Samantha Deacon firing them ahead after good work by Angela Collins. However, visitors South Newton & Barford were back on level terms by the break. They then went in front early in the second half, Phoebe Whettleton and Molly McCarthy with the two goals for the visitors. Despite Salisbury putting the visitors under a lot of pressure in the closing stages they were unable to find that elusive equaliser and fell to a 2-1 defeat. The win for South Newton & Barford saw them move above their beaten opponents into third place in the table, Salisbury dropping two places to fourth as a result of the defeat.

Trowbridge Wanderers took over second spot in the table following a 4-0 away win at Malmesbury Victoria. A solitary goal from Jamie-Lee Curtis was all that separated the sides at half time but Wanderers upped their game in the second half scoring three more goals without reply through Erin Wilkins, Lauren Gowen and an own goal to complete a league double over Malmesbury, having won 6-0 in the first meeting earlier in the season.

The one game at the other end of the table saw Staverton Rangers close the gap between them and the side immediately above them in the table, Blunsdon, by defeating them 1-0 at Sutton Park. The only goal of the game was scored by Emily Davies five minutes into the second half. Staverton are now just two points behind Blunsdon but have played one more game.

Today sees the first staging of a Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Ladies League Cup Final, which is taking place at the Sustain Stadium, home of Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Thank you to Royal Wootton Bassett Town for hosting this final, which is our first ever final to be held at this ground. We will also be holding our U18's Floodlight Division final at this venue next month. Hopefully the sides will enjoy playing on what is one of the best playing surfaces in the county.

The League Directors, Officers and Management Committee would like to congratulate both Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Highworth Town on reaching today’s final. It is fitting that the top two teams in the Ladies Premier Division have made it through to today’s cup final, two proper football clubs who are extremely well organised and play all their games. Both have been the dominant sides from the off this season. Bemerton Heath Harlequins have won every one of their league games whilst Highworth’s only defeats have come at the hands of Bemerton and AFC Brislington.

Highworth progressed to today’s final at the expense of three Premier Division sides, defeating Kingsdown in the First Round lining up a Quarter Final tie with near neighbours Swindon Supermarine. In a tight affair a solitary goal was enough to see them through to the Semi Final where they would meet a third Premier Division side in Melksham Town. In another close affair two second half goals saw them through to today’s Final.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins meanwhile had a comfortable passage through to the Semi Final but had a big scare when they got there. In the First Round they were up against the then Development Division leaders Trowbridge Wanderers who were unbeaten up to that point. Unfortunately for them Bemerton demonstrated the big difference in the standard in the two divisions at that early stage of the season, scoring ten unanswered goals to progress to the Quarter Final. Another big win this time 7-0 against fellow Premier Division side Calne Town saw them through to the last four. In the Semi Final they were up against another Premier Division side AFC Brislington, who were third in the table, and they gave Bemerton an almighty fright. Leading 3-2 going into the final minute Brislington conceded a penalty to give Bemerton a lifeline which they duly scored to send the tie to penalties. In the shootout Bemerton emerged 5-4 winners to take their place in today’s final.

Today's final kick's off at 2:00PM, with a £3 entry fee with free entry for U16's and pensioners. A programme, is included in the admission price.

One of today’s finalists, Bemerton Heath Harlequins, have applied for promotion to the South West Regional Women’s League which will hopefully be the first of many as the Women’s game continues to grow in the county. Full details of this season's cup competition and the latest Premier Division league table is shown below:

League Cup Final

On an overcast Sunday afternoon, the inaugural Ladies League Cup Final under the administration of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League took place at the Sustain Stadium at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, home of Royal Wootton Bassett Town FC. The game drew a healthy crowd of 118 who were to witness an excellent sporting contest between the two sides who, at the time of writing, occupy the top two positions of the Premier Division and look set for league honours come the end of the season, although AFC Brislington are also still involved in the race for honours.  

Right from the off Bemerton took the game to Highworth and put their opponents under some sustained pressure but without really creating any clear-cut chances. Following an early corner Bemerton broke quickly but Zoe Ridley fired just over. Three minutes later a dangerous free kick into the far post from Leanne Griffiths-Lower eluded everybody and Highworth were able to clear. Bemerton continued to probe, Ridley setting up top scorer Imogen Brady but the prolific striker’s effort on goal went just wide of the post. Bemerton were definitely on top but some resolute defending from Highworth was restricting Bemerton to shots from distance, one such shot from Leanne Griffiths-Lower going well wide. The same player had another effort on goal shortly after with a shot from the edge of the box and, on this occasion, it went just wide of the post, Bemerton were getting closer and a goal was coming.

That goal eventually came, and it was no surprise, given how hard Highworth were working, that it needed to come from a shot from distance, the ball falling to Ellen Clarke 25-yards out and her powerfully hit shot coming down off the underside of the crossbar and into the net for 1-0. As the half wore on Highworth started to grow into the game and get themselves on the front foot, alleviating some of the pressure that the defence had been under for most of the half. However, Highworth’s top scorer Bethan Harris was being well marshalled by the centre-back pairing of Mandy Kidd and Nicola Frier and Highworth were unable to create any real chances for their leading striker.

Back at the other end of the pitch Imogen Brady had another good chance on 36 minutes but her shot went straight to Highworth keeper Abbie Blackmore. Bemerton continued to press and good work from Ellie Hayward saw her put Ridley in on goal but again she shot straight at keeper Blackmore and the best chance since that opening goal came to nothing as the teams turned around at the break with just the one goal in it. Bemerton had dominated possession and been on top from the off, but they only had the one goal to show for it due to the hard work of the Highworth Town side to restrict the number of clear cut chances for a Bemerton side who are yet to taste defeat in a Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League fixture.

The second half continued in a similar vein to the first half with Bemerton on the front foot putting the Highworth goal under pressure. The first chance of the half came the way of leading scorer Brady, a ball in from Ridley finding her in the box but unfortunately for Bemerton, she could not make a good connection, and it was easily gathered by Blackmore. Next up Leanne Harvey cut in from the left and fired just over. The Bemerton fans sensed another goal was coming and they were not to be disappointed, a free kick into the box from the right saw Brady, the smallest player on the pitch, leap high and get her head to the ball just ahead of the outstretched arm of Blackmore and head the ball downwards and into the goal for 2-0 and goal number 34 of the season for the Premier Division's leading goal scorer.

Having fought such a strong rearguard action for so long the second goal seemed to visibly deflate the Highworth side and Bemerton did not let up. Leanne Harvey extended their lead from a free-kick and then shortly afterwards the Highworth defence failed to deal with a ball into the six-yard box from Ridley and substitute Amy Hards was on hand to fire home for 4-0. Ridley then went from provider to scorer after Highworth conceded a penalty and the Bemerton winger made no mistake from the spot to put here side five goals to the good. To their credit Highworth continued to battle away and created a couple of chances of their own late on. Michelle Rich, who had worked tirelessly in the Highworth midfield, had a cross come shot into the box that unfortunately for Highworth came to nothing and then a fine individual run from Harris saw her in on goal but she could not get enough room to get power into her shot and it was easily saved by Nicola Buckwell-Smith in the Bemerton goal. There was to be no further goals, and the final whistle from referee Graham Colwill, who had been excellent throughout, saw scenes of celebration amongst the Bemerton players, management and supporters. They were clearly deserved winners but credit to Highworth for the way they had worked hard all game to limit their opponents to shots from distance, particularly in that first half. The second goal was crucial in terms of the psychology of the game and only then did Bemerton look like they would score more and the final score, whilst not flattering in terms of possession, does not really reflect how well Highworth had played for the majority of the game.

The cup and individual mementos for the players and officials were presented by League Chairman Brian Busson with Bemerton captain Leanne Griffiths-Lower the last one up to be presented with the cup. Well done to both teams and the match officials for an entertaining encounter played in a sporting manner throughout. A big thank you also from hosts Royal Wootton Bassett Town to the two teams for the way they left their dressing rooms in immaculate condition after the game, and also for the courteous way the players conducted themselves in the bar and refreshments area after the game.   

The two teams are set to meet again a week on Sunday in the league in a game that Highworth must win if they are to have any chance of denying Bemerton the title.



There are lots of pictures available of Sunday's Final on the League Facebook Group Page taken by Alan Swan, Barbara Swan and Mark Smedley.

Click on picture below to view PDF of the Cup Final Programme

Premier Division

As well as Sunday’s cup final there were also two league games in the Premier Division. The first of the two games saw AFC Brislington maintain their quest for league honours with a comfortable 6-0 home win over Calne Town. Leading scorer Rhianna Ben-Carew was the star of the show scoring four more goals to take her tally for the season to 19, the other two goals coming through Mylie Warren and Kia Houghton. The win for Brislington saw them move to within two points of second placed Highworth Town.

Kingsdown are up to fourth place in the table after a 3-1 home win over Melksham Town at Kingsdown School. On target for Kingsdown were Charlotte Chandler, Alexi Lee and Siobhan Peplow, India Mulliss with the reply for Melksham Town. The two teams are set to meet again on the first Sunday in April at Oakfield Stadium where Kingsdown will be looking to complete a league double to help achieve a fourth place final position.

There was a rare midweek game in the Premier Division this Tuesday night with the big A361 derby between Swindon Supermarine and Highworth Town, with Highworth looking to bounce back from the disappointment of Sunday's cup defeat. An entertaining first half saw Swindon Supermarine twice take the lead with goals from Beth Turner and Millie Swift only to be pegged back on both occasion by goals from Beth Harris and Leah Holder for Highworth. Harris scored a second after the break putting Highworth ahead for the first time in the game with what proved to be the winner. The win for Highworth saw them close the gap to Bemerton to just three points, although Highworth have now played one more game than Bemerton.

Development Division

There was a full schedule of four games in the Development Division on Sunday with the top four involved in the two big games in the division.  League leaders Marlborough Town maintained their four point lead at the top with a 2-0 away win at fourth placed Salisbury. An own goal and then a second scored by leading scorer Sienna Lewis securing the three points for Marlborough in what was a close encounter between the two sides. With just three games to go for Marlborough, they remain favourites for the title, but they have three tough games to finish the season with two games against South Newton & Barford Hornets with a game against Trowbridge Wanderers sandwiched in between.

It was second against third in the game between Trowbridge Wanderers and South Newton & Barford Hornets  and it was to be Trowbridge’s afternoon. Erin Wilkins fired them ahead five minutes before the break and a second from Jamie-Lee Curtis just after the hour mark saw Trowbridge secure a 2-0 win to maintain their title challenge and open up a three point lead over their beaten opponents.

Defences were on top in the game between Staverton Rangers and Kingsdown Development with neither side managing to find the back of the points meaning the points were shared.  

The final game of the day saw fifth placed Malmesbury Victoria move to within a point of Salisbury following a 4-0 home win against bottom of the table Ferndale Rodbourne. Laura Deacon led the way for Malmesbury scoring a hat-trick with Rhianon Stidever getting the other Malmesbury goal. 

Premier Division

There was a repeat of the recent Ladies cup final on Sunday when Bemerton Heath Harlequins took on Highworth Town. As in the cup final it was Bemerton who emerged victorious scoring four unanswered goals to put one hand on the league title trophy. Top scorer Imogen Brady added three more goals to her impressive tally to move onto 37 for the season with strike partner Amy Hards getting the other Bemerton goal with her 18^th of the season in the 4-0 win. The win for Bemerton saw them open up a six-point lead over Highworth at the top of the table with a game in hand and, given their far superior goal difference, Bemerton could make sure of the title this coming Sunday with a win against AFC Brislington.

AFC Brislington kept their own chances of end of season honours alive with a 3-0 away win over Swindon Supermarine, two goals from Libby Sims and one from leading scorer Rhianna Ben-Carew inflicting the damage on Swindon Supermarine.

With Swindon Supermarine falling to defeat, Kingsdown took full advantage to open up a six-point lead over the team just below them in the table with a narrow 2-1 away win at Melksham Town. On target for Kingsdown were Siobhan Peplow and substitute Brooke Braithwaite with her first goal in senior football.

The final game of the week between Calne Town and Westbury Youth was postponed with Calne unable to raise a side.

Development Division

In the Development Division there had been one game played on Mothers’ Day, and it had seen Kingsdown Development  end their season on a winning note with a 5-1 away win at Trowbridge Wanderers. Trailing to a Jamie-Lee Curtis goal at the break Kingsdown turned it around in the second half, Siobhan Peplow scoring a hat-trick and Hayley Shipp scoring twice to put a big dent in Wanderers title chances.

Trowbridge Wanderers bounced back from that defeat on Sunday with a 5-1 win of their own against Ferndale Rodbourne. Jamie-Lee Curtis led the way with a hat-trick with further goals from Megan Keast and Erin Wilkins, Karolina Haylock with the consolation goal for Ferndale Rodbourne who were playing their final game of the season.

Marlborough Town maintained their four-point lead at the top of the table with a hard fought 2-0 away win at South Newton & Barford Hornets, leading scorer Sienna Lewis with both goals to move joint top of the Division’s goal scoring chart. The defeat for South Newton & Barford ended their own title ambitions but they are still in with a chance of runners-up spot. Marlborough Town can clinch the title this coming Sunday if they can defeat Trowbridge Wanderers. A win for Wanderers though would see the title race go to the final round of fixtures for the two potential champions, with Marlborough having the return game with South Newton & Barford, whilst Trowbridge Wanderers are away to Blunsdon.

Salisbury and Staverton Rangers were involved in a game that saw both sides complete their fixtures joining Kingsdown Development and Ferndale Rodbourne in completing their fixtures in good order. It was Salisbury who would end their season on a winning note, a hat-trick from Nicole Kirkman plus one from Lucy Willdigg securing a 4-0 away win that leaves them in third place in the table but just one point above South Newton & Barford Hornets who have three games left to play.

The other game on Sunday saw Malmesbury Victoria return from Sutton Park with all three points following a 4-0 away win at Blunsdon. On a day of hat-tricks in the division, Laura Deacon scored three of the Malmesbury goals to take her total for the season to 15, Emilee Collier with the other Malmesbury goal. Malmesbury remain level on points with South Newton & Barford who they meet in their final game of the season this coming Sunday.

Premier Division

After 16 victories in 16 competitive league and cup games in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Bemerton Heath Harlequins have finally been beaten as AFC Brislington became the first team to defeat the league leaders to keep the title race alive for another week at least. Two goals from leading scorer Rhianna Ben-Carew secured the 2-0 win for AFC Brislington that sees them close the gap at the top of the table to five points. Given their vastly superior goal difference Bemerton only effectively need one point from their final two games against Kingsdown and Melksham Town to claim the title and will be hoping to make that happen when they travel into Swindon a week Sunday to play Kingsdown. The win for AFC Brislington sees them sit a point above third placed Highworth Town with the two sides set to meet each other in the final game of the season. Before that AFC Brislington are away to Melksham Town and Highworth Town are home to Calne Town, who they should have played on Sunday, but the game was postponed with Calne unable to raise a side.

There was one other game played on Sunday, and it saw Melksham Town pick up an excellent 4-0 away win against Swindon Supermarine thanks to two goals from Charlie Canvin and one each for both Izzy McGuinness and Tilly McVey. The result means that Swindon Supermarine, who have completed their games, have ended the season in fifth spot and Melksham are one place and five points below them but would need to win both their final games against AFC Brislington and Bemerton Heath Harlequins in order to finish above Swindon Supermarine.

The league table has not been adjusted for the expunging of the record of FC Chippenham who had played less than 75% of their league fixtures and hence, in accordance with FA standard rules, the results from their nine games played needed to be expunged.

Development Division

It was a day of draws in the Development Division with both games ending level at 1-1. This included the big game at the top of the table between league leaders Marlborough Town and Trowbridge Town Wanderers. Marlborough Town needed to avoid defeat to secure the league title, and it was mission accomplished for Lee Curtis’ side but there were a few nervous moments at the end. Sienna Lewis had given Marlborough the lead just before the half hour mark. That was goal number 17 of the season for the Marlborough striker and saw her move clear at the top of the division’s goal scoring chart.  It remained that way until four minutes from time when substitute Caitlin Day scored a late equaliser for Trowbridge Wanderers. Trowbridge then pushed for a winner which would have kept their title hopes alive but Marlborough’s young side survived a few nervous moments at the end to secure the point they needed for the title. Trowbridge Wanderers are likely to finish runners-up given their superior goal difference, even if South Newton & Barford Hornets are able win their final two games, one of which is against the unbeaten champions. Trowbridge Wanderers can secure that runners-up spot if they avoid defeat in their final game against Blunsdon.

South Newton & Barford Hornets were away at Malmesbury Victoria on Sunday and the two points dropped from the resulting 1-1 draw means their chances of pipping Trowbridge Wanderers for the second place are now remote. Both goals in this game were scored in the first half, Emma Sharpe scoring for the home side and Molly McCarthy for the visitors. The point for Malmesbury means that they will finish in fifth place unless South Newton & Barford fail to gain a point in their final two games and the results lead to an adverse swing of five goals in their goal difference, which would then see Malmesbury move above them in the table.

There are now just three games left to complete the season. On Sunday 27th champions Marlborough Town are home to South Newton & Barford Hornets, whilst Trowbridge Wanderers play that final game away at Blunsdon. That then leaves just the Blunsdon v South Newton & Barford game which was abandoned with 16 minutes to play which the Discipline Committee ordered to be replayed. However, Blunsdon have appealed that decision to the Wiltshire FA and the FA decision is still awaited, with the game penciled in for the final Sunday of the season.

With the season drawing to a close there were just two games played in both the Ladies Premier Division and Ladies Development Division and the matches played saw honours confirmed in both divisions.

Premier Division

In the Premier Division Bemerton Heath Harlequins, who have led the division all season, were confirmed as champions on Sunday after they secured a 3-0 away win against Kingsdown in Swindon. Two goals from substitute Rachel Adkin and one from Ellie Hayward inflicted the damage on the home side and the three points gained meant Bemerton could no longer be caught.

The other game played in the Premier Division saw AFC Brislington move second in the table thanks to a 4-1 away win at Melksham Town. On target for AFC Brislington were Charlotte Morrison, who bagged a brace, with further goals from leading scorer Rhiannon Ben-Carew and Clarice White, Ella King with the Melksham Town reply. AFC Brislington are now one point ahead of Highworth Town ahead of the showdown between the two sides for runners-up spot this coming Sunday at Highworth. Highworth need to win to claim that second spot whilst for AFC Brislington a draw would be sufficient to give them runners-up. Ironically AFC Brislington, given their superior goal difference, would almost have certainly had that second place wrapped up already if they hadn’t called off their game against Bemerton Heath Harlequins and suffered a two-point deduction. Barbara and Alan Swan were at the Melksham Town v AFC Brislington game and more their photos can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

Development Division

There were also two games in the Development Division. Champions Marlborough Town were set to be presented with the league trophy at the conclusion of their game against South Newton & Barford Hornets. Before that though Marlborough were looking to maintain their unbeaten record in league fixtures in their 16^th and final game of the season. When the two sides had met earlier in the month Marlborough had won 2-0 and Sunday saw them complete a league double and also achieve that unbeaten record across the whole league season with a 3-0 win. Leading scorer Sienna Lewis bagged another two goals to take her tally for the season to 19 with Elyssia O’Keeffe getting the other Marlborough Town goal. After the conclusion of the match Marlborough Town were presented with the winner’s trophy and individual medals by League Chairman Brian Busson. The defeat for South Newton & Barford coupled with a Trowbridge Wanderers win away at Blusdon ended their challenge for runners-up spot. Brian Busson had his camera with him at the Marlborough Town v South Newton & Barford Hornets game and more of his pictures can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

Trowbridge Wanderers made sure of that runners-up spot, irrespective of South Newton & Barford’s result with a 3-0 away win at Blunsdon. Leading 1-0 at half time thanks to a Megan Keast goal they added two more after the break through Jamie-Lee Curtis and an own goal to make sure of three points as they finished four points behind Marlborough but six points ahead of Salisbury who remain in third spot ahead of the outcome of the final outcome of the abandoned game between Blunsdon and South Newton & Barford Hornets which is subject to an FA hearing on Thursday. Should the FA confirm the decision of the Discipline Committee to restage the game, it is scheduled for Sunday and the league will expect the game to be played.

The final two games in the Ladies Divisions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League were played on Sunday and the game played in the Premier Division saw the final honours for the season in the two Ladies divisions decided.

Premier Division

In the Premier Division the one matter to be decided was who would finish as runners-up behind champions Bemerton Heath Harlequins. The two teams battling out for that second spot were up against each other on the final Sunday of the season, with Highworth Town entertaining AFC Brislington at the Elms Recreation Ground. AFC Brislington went into the game a point clear of Highworth knowing that a draw would be sufficient to give them that runners-up spot. The first half saw two evenly matched sides cancel each other out and create little by way of any clear cut chances, and the two sides turned around at half time with the game still looking for its first goal.

The game came to life early in the second half though, AFC Brislington's Megan Wiltshire pouncing on hesitation in the Highworth defence to fire her side ahead. The lead would not last long though, as Highworth Town hit back almost immediately. A ball into the box saw Highworth's leading scorer Bethan Harris challenge for the ball in the air with a Brislington defender and keeper, the defender impeding her own keeper which saw the ball fall kindly for Harris who had a simple tap in to level matters up at 1-1. Whilst there were chances at both ends, Highworth who needed the win to pip Brislington, didn't really test the visiting keeper and there were to be no further goals which meant AFC Brislington secured that runners-up spot behind Bemerton. The runners-up medals were presented to the AFC Brislington players by League Chairman Brian Busson at the conclusion of the game.

More photos from the Highworth Town v AFC Brislington game can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

Development Division

The one outstanding game in the Development Division, which is set to be re-branded as Division One next season, saw Blunsdon entertain South Newton & Barford Hornets after the Wiltshire FA dismissed Blunsdon's appeal against the re-staging of the game which had been abandoned with Blunsdon leading at the time of the abandonment. It started well for the home side Blunsdon on Sunday as first half goals from leading scorer Lyndsey Plant and Danielle Tuck saw Blunsdon lead 2-0 at the break. However, visitors South Newton & Barford turned things around in the second half, Kaelani Hayes scoring twice to level matters up at 2-2 and give South Newton & Barford a point which was enough to see them secure third spot behind champions Marlborough Town and runners-up Trowbridge Town Wanderers. South Newton & Barford finishing just that one point above both Salisbury and Malmesbury Victoria. It is pleasing to report that all fixtures were played in this division this season.