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.