Premier Division

Midweek Games

There was just the one league game played in midweek along with another game in the First Round of the Fountain Trophies Cup leaving just three more ties to complete the First Round. In the league fixture Trowbridge Town were playing their second Premier Division game under lights and despite a very wet evening drew another large crowd for the visit of Letcombe. The home side Trowbridge led 1-0 at the break thanks to an early headed goal from Dan Price but Letcombe pulled one back after the break, Kieran Kerby setting up James Webster for a well taken goal that ensured a share of the points. That made it ten games unbeaten for Letcombe who have responded well to the heavy defeat they suffered at Shrewton at the end of August. Another point for Trowbridge as their improved form continued with just one defeat in four league games ahead of Saturday’s encounter with Pewsey Vale.

There was an entertaining encounter in the Fountain Trophies Cup between league leaders Shrewton United and Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves. Bemerton had made the cup final last season where they had gone so close to lifting the cup before losing a penalty shootout against Cricklade, this after Cricklade had scored a late equaliser at the end of 90 minutes. The game on Wednesday night had been switched to Shrewton’s ground at Bemerton’s request but despite giving up home advantage Bemerton were once again to show their liking for this competition, inflicting a surprise defeat on the league leaders. Justin Bennett fired Shrewton ahead with just three minutes on the clock, but the lead did not last long as Alfie Burke brought the visitors level just six minutes later. Parity did not last long though as three minutes later Shrewton were back in front, Justin Bennett heading home after good work from Kian Tydeman down the flank. Shrewton held that 2-1 lead until five minutes before the break when James McSorley levelled matters up for Bemerton. There was to be a team in front going into the break though as, in injury time at the end of the half, Lewis Cross found Tydeman with a ball into the box, Tydeman held the ball up before firing a ball across goal that found Cross coming in at the back post to tap in for 3-2. In a pulsating encounter that half time lead for Shrewton was not to last long into the second half, Isaac Lane-Clemo bringing Bemerton back level within seven minutes of the restart. It got even better for Bemerton 20 minutes from time when Burke notched his second of the game to put Bemerton ahead for the first time on the night. It remained 4-3 to Bemerton as the game moved into injury time at the end of the match but there was to be late drama, Shrewton’s Tom Plank volleying into the bottom corner of the net to level matters up at 4-4. Just as it looked like penalties would be needed to decide the tie there was to be more late drama with Bemerton snatching a late winner in the 96^th minute, Kian Timms with the goal that sees Bemerton through to the round of 16 with a deserved win in a competition in which they seem to reserve their best form for. Bemerton will be home to Melksham Town Reserves in that Second Round.

Saturday's Games

After that setback in midweek, Shrewton United had to refocus quickly ahead of a massive top of the table clash on Saturday, where the side just below them in the table, Swindon Supermarine Development, were set to be the visitors to the Recreation Ground. In front of large crowd at the Recreation Ground things did not start too well for the home side as they trailed 2-0 at half time to goals for Swindon Supermarine from Tom Phillips, with his 14^th of the season, and Sam Sanger. Whatever manager George Plank said to his side at half time they certainly came out for the second half fired up and were back in the game within a minute of the restart, Charlie Utterson volleying into the bottom corner after a header across goal from Eddie Perrett. Nine minutes later they were back on level terms, Kian Tydeman heading home from a ball into the box from Tom Plank. Swindon Supermarine then suffered a major setback when Evan Black was shown a red card just after the hour mark. Despite the numerical disadvantage it would remain 2-2 until three minutes from time and, as in the case of that cup game in midweek, there was to be late drama. A throw-in from Perrett was flicked on by Scott Hassell who found Tydeman who controlled the ball before firing home for his second of the game to make it 3-2. There was still time for one more goal, Shrewton's Morgan Aldridge firing home after Tydeman and Tom Plank had combined to set him up. An excellent second half for the home side which saw then go four points clear at the top with a game in hand as a result of the 4-2 victory. Mike Wray was at the game with his camera and more pictures from the game and also match highlights can be accessed from the League Facebook Group Page.

Third placed Larkhall Athletic Development entertained Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves who were looking to build on that excellent Fountain Trophies Cup midweek win over Shrewton United. As is often the way on the 3G at the Plain Ham, Larkhall attacked the visitors right from the off creating some good chances but were denied on several occasions by the Bemerton keeper Jamie Jones. They finally broke the visitor’s resistance ten minutes before the break, Harvey Kendrick released James Okell who finished high into the net for 1-0. Five minutes before the break Bemerton’s task was made all the more difficult when they were reduced to ten men, James McSorley seeing red for an off the ball incident. The task for Bemerton was then made even more difficult six minutes into the second half when they lost keeper Jones to injury and outfield payer Morgan Harvey had to take over in goal. The opening ten minutes of the second half saw Bemerton continue to frustrate the home side with some excellent defensive play but just before the hour mark the home side extended their lead, Arlo Stone squaring for Okell to score his second of the game. The points were effectively secured ten minutes later when Ben Wickens set up Kendrick for a third for Larkhall and five minutes later James Payton added a fourth to make it 4-0 from a Stone corner. There was to be one more goal in the game and it went the way of the visitors, Harry Cooper firing in a well taken free kick to give Bemerton a late consolation goal.

Melksham Town Reserves lost ground in the race for honours when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by a Faringdon Town side, who had been forced to call up several of their development side with players missing this weekend, Ollie Farrell with his 13^th of the season getting the Melksham goal. Despite the dropped points Melksham remain in fourth spot.

Pewsey Vale moved to within two points of Melksham with a hard fought 1-0 win away at a much-improved Trowbridge Town side, the only goal of the game coming in the first half with Pewsey’s leading scorer Josh Fowler getting goal number 15 of the season which was enough to secure the three points. Alwyn Bodman was at the game with his camera and pictures from the game can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

Letcombe climbed up to sixth spot two points behind Pewsey after they secured their seventh win of the season, a 3-1 home success over bottom of the table Calne Town Reserves but they were made to work hard for the three points by a battling Calne Town side. It was the visitors who went in front thanks to seventh goal of the season from Kierron Kiff. They then had a golden chance to double their lead five minutes later, Jack Smith missing from close range with the goal at his mercy. Having escaped that scare Letcombe upped their game. They finally got back on level terms when substitute Sean McGuire scored almost immediately after his introduction and then two goals from Oscar Griffiths for the home side secured the victory but Letcombe knew they had been in a tough match in what is turning into a very competitive division with no easy games this season. Letcombe play their game in hand over the two sides immediately above them in the table when they travel to Faringdon Town this coming Tuesday.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development dropped one place in the table after they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground by Shrivenham, both goals coming from the penalty spot in the first half. Sam Case put the home side ahead with his seventh goal of the season before Kieran Sutton levelled matters up with his converted penalty. That was to be the end of the afternoon’s scoring with neither side at their best and the two sides having to settle for a point apiece. 

Down Ampney climbed a couple of places in the table with a 2-1 home win over Purton Kingsdown to move within three points of their beaten opponents with two games in hand. Connor Hibbs scored both goals for Down Ampney in a man of the match performance for his side, Dan Jones with the Purton Kingsdown goal.

The big game at the bottom end of the table was at the Weir Field where Devizes Town Reserves were Wroughton’s visitors. Devizes led 1-0 at the break thanks to an Oli Norman goal. Both teams were to score after the break, with Norman getting a second for Devizes, but with Wroughton getting just the one it meant Devizes would return home along the A4361 with all three points in the bag following a 2-1 win. The victory for Devizes saw them climb out of the relegation zone, with Park United joining Wroughton, Trowbridge Town and Calne Town Reserves in the drop zone.   

The game between Cricklade Town and Park United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch due to the heavy rain at the back end of the week in the days preceding the game.

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