Vets' Roundup Weeks 32 &33

Title Play-off Needed in Mid Wilts,

Play-off For Runners-up in North

Action from Melksham Town's narrow 1-0 win over Devizes Town

Mid Wiltshire Division

The past fortnight has seen three games played in the Mid Wiltshire Division with two of the three impacting the quest for honours in the division. Monday May 4th saw Devizes Town entertain Melksham Town with Devizes knowing if they could avoid defeat the title would be theirs with Melksham Town finishing as runners-up. Devizes had won all 15 of their previous league games, including a 2-1 win at Melksham back in October and were hopeful of securing the point needed to claim the title for the first time. The game itself was a tight affair from the very start with neither side creating any real clear-cut chances. The teams turned round at the break with the game still awaiting a goal and it was to remain that way in the second half until three minutes from time. With League officials preparing for a potential awards presentation, Melksham Town were awarded a free kick on the left 25 yards from goal for an alleged handball. Aaron Ledgister took responsibility for the free kick and curled a powerful shot over the wall into the top corner of the net giving the Devizes keeper no chance to put Melksham 1-0 up. Devizes frantically tried to push for an equaliser but there was little time left to make the breakthrough and the final whistle followed shortly after with the medals and league trophy put back in their boxes for another day.  So a first league defeat of the season for Devizes and a vital win for Melksham. Both David Giles and Mark Smedley were at the game with their cameras and  more pictures from the game can be found on the League Facebook Group page.

More action from Melksham Town's 1-0 win over Devizes Town

What this meant was that Melksham Town now needed to win their one remaining game away to Radstock Town to force a play-off for the league title. This game took place the following Monday night and it was to prove to be a good night for Melksham. Dean Ranger opened the scoring with a brilliant, chipped effort from the edge of the box in the first half. Ian Dowell then extended the lead a few minutes later, with a low shot from 25 yards that deceived the keeper to give Melksham a 2-0 half time lead. Radstock came into to the game a bit more in the second half but without getting a goal that would give them a foothold back into the game. Melksham then ended any hopes of a comeback when Wayne Wheeler scored a third for the visitors with less than five minutes remaining, the Radstock keeper parring Wheeler’s effort into his own net to wrap up the win for Melksham. The win saw Melksham move level on points with Devizes after both teams had completed their 16 fixtures meaning a play-off is now needed to decide honours. That play-off is set to take place this coming Monday at Green Lane, Devizes with an 8:30pm kick-off with penalties possibly being needed if matters cannot be decided in normal time. Melksham will be looking to defend the title they won last season, and also win the league for the third time, whilst Devizes will be aiming for that first title success. Expect another close game.

The other game in the past fortnight had seen Radstock Town warm up for that encounter with Melksham Town with a 2-0 away win at Warminster Town thanks to goals from Alastair Cox and Simon Millard.

North Wiltshire Division

With the League title already decided focus in the North Division moved to the battle for runners-up. With Redhouse already guaranteed at least a play-off for second spot, the question was whether a play-off would in fact be needed with Cricklade Town requiring to defeat Purton Kingsdown in their final game of the season to require that extra game. In the end that game against Purton Kingsdown did not take place, with Purton Kingsdown once again unable to field a side. They also failed to raise a side for their other two remaining league fixtures and the Discipline Committee has now awarded all three games to their opponents meaning the Play-off will now be needed with Redhouse set to play Cricklade Town this coming Wednesday at Moredon, kick-off 9:00pm. With Purton Kingsdown Vets having now failed to raise a side on seven occasions this season their ongoing participation in the league next season will no doubt be up for discussion with new sides having applied to join the division.