Wiltshire FA Veterans' County Cup

It was the quarter finals of the Wiltshire FA Veterans’ County Cup this week involving five teams from the North Wiltshire Division and three from the Mid Wiltshire Division. After the quarter finals were completed, there is now just the one side from the Mid Wiltshire Division left in the County Cup that side being Melksham Town Reserves. Melksham were up against fellow Mid Wiltshire Division side Warminster Town in a game switched to Melksham’s ground to enable the tie to go ahead due to a waterlogged pitch at Warminster. It started well for Melksham at the Oakfield Stadium as they went in front from the penalty spot early on in the game, Lee Morgan converting the penalty awarded after Ian Dowell had been tripped in the box. Gary Higdon thought he had extended the lead shortly after when he lobbed the advancing keeper. However, the Warminster keeper got a hand to the shot outside of his box, which enabled a Warminster defender to clear the ball off of the line. The keeper was slightly fortunate to only receive only a yellow card for his interception. Melksham were to extend that lead though shortly after, Luke Turvey firing home with an excellent finish from a fairly tight angle to make it 2-0. Warminster, however, pulled themselves back into the game with the very last kick of the first half to make it 2-1 at the break. The second half saw Warminster push for an equaliser but, despite chances at both ends, neither side were able to find the back of the net again as it finished 2-1 in favour of the two times winners of the cup Melksham, who progressed to the last four.

The other Mid Wiltshire Division side in action in the County Cup quarter finals were league leaders Devizes Town who were another side to concede home advantage to enable their tie to go ahead, the match against Penhill United being switched to the 3G at Moredon away from the grass at Nursteed Road.  A close game ensued which was decided in the end by a solitary goal scored by Penhill’s Peter Myall two minutes into the second half, his third in this season’s County Cup competition, which saw Penhill join Melksham Town in the last four.

The other two ties were all North Wiltshire Division affairs although, in the end, just one of the two was played with ExIntel being unable to raise a side for their game against Purton Kingsdown, giving Purton Kingsdown a free passage into the semi-final. Indeed, Purton Kingsdown have made the last four of the competition without having kicked a ball so far in the cup, having also been awarded their tie in the last round against Durrington, who were also unable to raise a side, and having been one of the eleven sides given a bye in the First Round.

The tie that was played was the big game of the round between cup holders Cricklade Town and Redhouse. When the two sides had met in the league it had been a tight affair with just the one goal in the game, Cricklade securing the three points thanks to a second half goal from Dean Wilson. Another close encounter was anticipated, and it proved to be just that with the game again decided by a one goal margin. Once again it was Cricklade’s night as two goals from Nick Craft helped them to a 2-1 win to complete a league and cup double over Redhouse, Fred Galrito getting the Redhouse goal.

The Wiltshire FA have already made the draw for the semi-finals which will be played in the first week of the New Year with holders Cricklade Town drawn away to Purton Kingsdown in a game to be played at New College on Tuesday 6^th January, whilst Melksham Town will also travel into Swindon to play Penhill United the following night at Moredon.

Full details of the County Cup rounds so far this season is shown below:

North Wiltshire Veterans' Division

In addition to the cup games there were three league games played in the North Wiltshire Division and two in the Mid Wiltshire Division.

In the North Wiltshire Division Nationwide went level on points with Cricklade Town at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over FS Stratton, all four goals coming in the first half. On target for Nationwide were Bradley Mildon, Adam Rudman and Mason Worthington, Richard Franklin with the goal for FS Stratton. Nationwide have a game in hand over Cricklade but with just three points separating the top six sides it is shaping up to be a fascinating title race.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town are one of the other sides in the top six and they went level on points with third placed Penhill United with a comfortable 6-0 home win over Chiseldon at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground. There were two goals for Chris Head with the other goals coming through Martin Ohrland, David Bundy, Stuart Davidson and a first of the season from Jonny Aitkenhead. The win for Royal Wootton Bassett Town sees them just a point behind the joint leaders but having played one more game than Cricklade and two more than Nationwide.

The action in the division had got underway on the Monday night and it had seen AFC Swindon haul themselves off the bottom of the table thanks to a 2-0 win over Stratton. Star of the show for AFC Swindon was Will Tearle who scored the opener and then set up Jeremy Hope for AFC Swindon’s second to make sure of the three points. The win for AFC Swindon saw them climb above FS Stratton and move level on points with Chiseldon.

Mid Wiltshire Division

The action in the Mid Wiltshire Division had also got underway on Monday night when Calne Town entertained bottom of the table Barford Hornets at MOD Lyneham. Calne continued their recent good run, scoring four unanswered goals to make it three wins on the bounce and climb up to fourth spot in the table, their highest position of the season. On target for Calne in the 4-0 win were Chris Robinson with two, Ben Trafford and Kieran McLaughlin.

Last month Trowbridge Town Tigers  had suffered a 3-1 defeat away at Durrington but an improved showing in the return fixture, also on Monday night, saw them secure a share of the points in a 1-1 draw, Jonathan Williams getting the Trowbridge goal. The point for Durrington sees them remain in third spot in the table a point behind second placed Radstock Town with both sides having played nine games.

This coming week the main focus will be on the remaining four ties in the Second Round of the League Cup with both Cricklade Town and Melksham Town already through to the quarter final stage along with Warminster Town and Nationwide.