Wiltshire Junior Cup

There were just three games involving sides from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League to survive the cold weather this weekend, one in the Premier Division, one in the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup and one in the Wiltshire Junior County Cup.

That County Cup game was a semi final tie involving Bishops Cannings who were up against Melksham Town Development from the Premier Division of the Trowbridge & District League. It started well for the side from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League as Szymon Raczek gave them an early lead, Bishops Canings leading scorer putting his side ahead with just six minutes on the clock. That is now 16 goals for Raczek in all competitions. It remained just the goal in it at the break. The home side Melksham then got themselves back on level terms ten minutes into the second half through Jake Dodge. Just as it looked like penalties would be needed to settle matters there was to be late drama and, unfortunately for Bishops Cannings, there was to be a late winner for Melksham, Morgan Akerman scoring in the final minute of the game to see his side through to the final of this prestigious competition. Despite the defeat it is well done to Bishops Cannings for going so deep into the competition. It was also a tight affair in the other semi final game between the two sides from the Dorset County League, Tisbury United and Mere Town, Tisbury winning 1-0 to join Melksham Town Development in the final.

Premier Division

The one league game to be played was in the Premier Division and it saw Faringdon Town entertain Trowbridge Town. The two sides had met at Trowbridge in the first game between the sides at the beginning of December and a solitary goal from Trowbridge Town’s George Bendle had decided a close affair between the two sides. It was to be another close game on a firm pitch in the return match, which thankfully passed a late pitch inspection, especially given all the hard work to get the game on. All credit to the ground staff at Faringdon for ensuring the game went ahead on a day when overnight frost and ice put paid to many other games this weekend and also to the match officials for allowing the game to go ahead. On a bitterly cold afternoon it was visitors Trowbridge Town who got themselves in front with a well taken goal just before the half hour mark from Lenny Gale. Gale who was playing only his second game for Trowbridge following his transfer from Devizes Town Reserves lobbing Faringdon keeper Jack Gibson as the keeper rushed out to close down the Trowbridge man. It would remain just that one goal in it at the end of the first half, although Faringdon went close to an equaliser when Harry Jesson hit the post and the ball then rolled along the goal line before being cleared to safety. Jesson would not be denied though and it was he who brought Faringdon back level on 67 minutes, Jesson turning his marker before firing home to level matters up at 1-1. Parity would not last long though as Trowbridge regained the lead eight minutes later, Jack Sterling firing home with a stunning strike from distance to restore the visitors lead. Faringdon immediately pushed for an equaliser and just two minutes later Matthew Pill saw his shot from distance well saved by Jordan Gullis in the Trowbridge goal. Faringdon continued to push for an equaliser and went close again in the final minute of the game, leading scorer Kyle Bowyer putting a tantalising cross into the box but no Faringdon player was able to get on the end of it and Trowbridge survived, with the final whistle going shortly after, as they completed a quick fire double over their opponents to continue their climb up the table. Trowbridge are now up to eleventh place, some six points above the potential relegation zone.

Fountain Trophies Cup

In the Fountain Trophies Cup Second Round Premier Division Larkhall Athletic Development, who are going well in the league and who have a good record in the cup competition in recent seasons, were home to Faringdon Town Development from Division One. In contrast to Larkhall, Faringdon are having a tough first season and whilst competitive in most games have found points hard to come by, having also suffered from the withdrawal of two teams that saw them lose six points from their total. There was to be no cup upset with the game very much going to form, with Larkhall scoring four times in each half to run out comfortable 8-0 winners. There were first half doubles for both James Okell and James Horrocks. Ben Wickens then added two more after the break to join Okell on 12 for the season, with the other two goals coming through Angus Williamson and an own goal.

Whilst there are still three Second Round ties to be played the draw for the Quarter Finals has already been made by Chairman Brian Busson and League Secretary Jim Thorn. In that round of eight Larkhall Athletic Development will again be at home with Pewsey Vale set to be their visitors in a guaranteed all Premier Division tie. The second known all Premier Division tie sees Melksham Town Reserves drawn at home to Letcombe. The only other side currently through to the Quarter Final stage are Calne Town Reserves who have been drawn away to the winner of the Purton Kingsdown Reserves v Shrivenham tie. The final game in the draw will see the winner of the Down Ampney v Malmesbury Vics Development tie at home to the winner of the Marlborough Town v Swindon Supermarine Development tie. The three outstanding Second Round ties are scheduled for the next two weeks and hopefully the weather will allow for all three to go ahead. Full details of this season’s cup competition to date are shown below:

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