Mid Wiltshire Division

The final honours in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League were finally decided on Tuesday night after the title play-off at Green Lane, Devizes. Both Melksham Town and Durrington had finished level on 52 points after completing their 20 league fixtures, Melksham going unbeaten in their 20 games, winning 16 and drawing four. Meanwhile Durrington had lost two games, once against Melksham Town and once against Warminster Town and they also drew the other game with Melksham whilst winning all 17 of their other fixtures to give them those 52 points.  With goal difference no longer a deciding factor in the Veterans' divisions due to the awarding of games when teams cannot raise a side a play-off was needed to decide matters.

The play-off game on Tuesday night was a tight affair as was to be expected in a game between two very good veterans’ sides. Durrington were looking to complete a league and cup double having lifted the League Cup the previous week whilst Melksham were looking to win the league title for a second time having won the league in Season 2021-22 and having been runners-up in the other three seasons that the league has been operating the Mid Wilts Division.

The opening 20 minutes saw little by way of goal scoring opportunity as the two sides cancelled each other out but there the game came to life in the closing minutes of the first half. Firstly, on 22 minutes Craig Lewis went close for Durrington his shot coming back off the post and being cleared to safety. At the other end Melksham went close to getting that opening when Kris Beasley got his head to a corner, but the ball went just over the bar as it remained 0-0. However, he was not to be denied right at the end of normal time in the half, when he pounced on a shot initially saved by Durrington keeper Kevin Tobin which fell nicely for Beasley to fire home for 1-0 to Melksham.

The start of the second half saw Durrington seeking to get themselves back on level terms. Captain Toby Watson had the first real chance of the half when Durrington broke quickly from defence and outnumbered the Melksham defence with Watson deciding to shoot rather than pass to players who were in support, but the shot went well wide of the post. Next up a neat interchange between Phil Lawes and Ben Reilly saw Lawes in down the right flank but his dangerous ball into the box was unable to find a Durrington player and was cleared to safety. Durrington continued to push for an equaliser and a dangerous free kick into the box was well cleared by Melksham’s defence.  

At the other end Melksham had a golden chance to extend their lead when Steve Tweddle found himself in on goal, but his low shot went just wide of the post, and it remained 1-0. As the half wore on it was Melksham who regained the ascendancy and but for a couple of saves from Tobin Durrington could well have found themselves trailing by more. Firstly, he did well to save from Tom Robinson and then a ball over the top found Luke Turvey and his shot on the turn was again saved well by Tobin. Durrington were not out of it, and they hit the bar in the closing stages although if it had found the back of the net it would not have counted as the assistant referee was flagging for an offside. Melksham saw out the closing stages without conceding to see them confirmed as champions, retaining their unbeaten status, with Durrington having to settle for runners-up. Congratulations to both sides for their excellent seasons.