The opening night's action in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League was overshadowed by an injury to a New College player in their game at Calne Town which resulted in the match having to be abandoned ten minutes from time. The injury occurred after an accidental collision between the player and the home sides keeper as they challenged for the ball. As the player attempted to get to his feet he fell back to the floor and when the New College management team got to the player there were concerns regarding a neck injury with the player having back pains. With concerns about moving the player an ambulance was called and the match abandoned by the referee Rhiannon Stevens with the score 4-1 to Calne Town at the time of the abandonment. Unfortunately the paramedics did not arrive until 3.10am due to their resources being stretched on a busy night for the ambulance service, some six hours after the original call had been made during which time the New College coach Richard Dent was having to hold the players head still and talking to him to keep him awake. Young referee Rhiannon Stevens and her mother also remained with the player until the ambulance arrived. After being taken into the ambulance the player was checked over and we believe that there was no major injury. Special praise to both New College coach Richard Dent for diligently ensuring the safety of his player and also to referee Rhiannon for staying so late in the night to ensure the player was looked after, both went above and beyond on a difficult evening.  Thank you also to Calne Town for leaving the lights on and providing everyone with refreshments whilst they waited for the ambulance to arrive and during the period in which the ambulance crew then assessed the injured player. We wish the player a speedy return to action after this traumatic experience. The abandoned match will now be discussed by the League Management Committee in accordance with league rules.

In the games that did get completed there were opening day wins for Devizes Town, Radstock Town and Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Devizes Town had opened their season the previous week with an excellent 6-1 away win in the FA Youth Cup at Shepton Mallet and followed that up on Thursday night in the opening league game with another six-goal performance at home to Pewsey Vale. However, on this occasion it was a come from behind victory as they trailed 2-1 at the break. Archie Tooth put Pewsey ahead, lobbing the keeper but Devizes were then awarded a penalty which Jack Farion put away to level the scores at 1-1. The visitors Pewsey were then awarded a penalty of their own with Tooth safely put away for his second of the game to restore Pewsey’s lead. Devizes stepped up their game in the second half and drew level through Jack Smith. They went in front for the first time in the game with a goal from Tyler Moore and from thereon in took control of the game, Caleb Hollow who had scored four in that FA Youth Cup win, added a fourth before Danny Bowyer fired in to make it 5-2. There was still time for one more goal, Caleb Hollow adding a sixth to complete the nights scoring as Devizes get their league season off to a winning start. Credit to Pewsey Vale who were in the game for a long period and look like they are set to have a much better season this time round in the Under 18 Division.

There was an entertaining game at Melksham Town where Royal Wootton Bassett Town were the visitors. Melksham went ahead when Ruben Rule scored with a neat side-footed volley. Visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Town got themselves back on level terms with some assistance from the home side, an attempted defensive clearance ended up going over the keeper’s head and into the net for 1-1. Both sides were playing some good football, and both had chances to go in front, the frame of the goal denying both as they went in search of the three points. It remained all square until five minutes from time when the visitors Zane Pinnock scored to ensure it was visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Town who went home with the three points with both managers commenting afterwards what a great game of football it had been.

The final game of the night was at Radstock Town where the new side to the league AFC Aldermaston were making their debut in the competition. Aldermaston took an early lead with James Blackman scoring after just four minutes. Radstock got themselves back on level terms on the stroke of half time, Lewis Wheeler firing in a free kick from distance to make it 1-1 at the break. In a busy second half for the referee which saw two Radstock players spend time in the Sin Bin and Aldermaston have a player sent off, Radstock scored twice when their players were spending time temporarily off the pitch. Both goals were fine individual goals from Ollie Hulbert, the first coming when one teammate was in the Sin Bin and the second when Radstock were temporarily down to nine men, 3-1 the final score to the home side.

Match official Rhiannon Stevens (2nd from left) before last season's Fountain Trophies Cup Final (picture John Cuthbertson)

After last week’s difficult events at Calne Town it is pleasing to report that this week all the four games involving our Under 18 sides were played to a conclusion. Unfortunately, the two sides that had still been in the prestigious FA Youth Cup are now no longer in the competition after both suffered defeats. On Wednesday night Radstock Town were well beaten by a rampant Academy side from National League club Chippenham Town, the Wiltshire side hitting seven unanswered goals to progress to the Second Round Qualifying.

The following night Devizes Town started really well in their game against the Academy side of another National League club Gloucester City, finding themselves 2-0 up after just 12 minutes. Danny Bowyer put them one nil ahead scoring from a free kick before leading scorer Caleb Hollow then added a second netting with a half-volley into the bottom corner, his seventh of the season in just three games.  Devizes then had the chance just after the half hour mark to extend their lead from the penalty spot, but the spot kick was saved, and it remained 2-0. Gloucester’s best chance up to that point came from a header which looked to be goal bound but they were denied by a superb save from the Devizes keeper. Gloucester did finally pull one back on the stoke of half time, meaning Devizes went into the break 2-1 to the good after an impressive first half showing. The second half saw Gloucester step up their game and they got themselves back on level terms from the penalty spot, substitute Siegel Rodney putting the ball into the net after the initial spot kick was saved. It remained all square with 15 minutes to go but, with the Devizes side tiring, three more goals from Rodney for the visitors saw Gloucester City complete an impressive turn around to take the tie 5-2 but the Academy side of the National League club knew had been given a really tough game by the Devizes side.

Due to those two FA Youth Cup games, there were just two league fixtures in the Under 18 Division. After last weeks’ events with the player injury in the game between Calne Town and New College both sides were hoping for a more straight forward evening in their second scheduled league games. New College were once again on their travels with a visit to the InfiLED in Melksham. In a game that New College could have won if they had taken their chances, in the end they had to settle for a point, Milan Chandarana scoring for New College and Archie Heggarty replying for Melksham as the sides drew 1-1.

Calne Town’s visitors on Thursday night were AFC Aldermaston who are in their first season in the league. After losing their opening game at Radstock last week they were looking to get their first points on the board but found themselves 1-0 down early on to a goal from Calne’s Harrison Dunsden and it remained 1-0 to the home side at the break. Whatever manager Adam Page said to his side at half time it certainly did the trick as they came storming back into the game with three second half goals. Oliver Pryce with a penalty, Adam Keating and Zach Payne with the other two goals to give Aldermaston a 3-1 lead. Calne pulled one back 20 minutes from time through Fraser Blake but they were unable to find a third as Aldermaston held out to take all three points.

Wiltshire County Youth Cup

The Wiltshire County FA Youth Cup got underway on Sunday with all but one of the First Round games being either played or awarded due to sides withdrawing (nine games in total had to be awarded). Following the action just three of the eligible six clubs clubs from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League remain in the competition. An under strength Royal Wootton Bassett Town were well beaten by Chippenham Town Academy from the National League U23 Premier Division, 9-0 the score in that one. Devizes Town lost 7-3 to Swindon Supermarine from the South West Counties League and New College were beaten 7-2 by Highworth Town Junior H from the North Wilts League. Pewsey Vale are into Round 2 with their game being one of the awarded games. Calne Town play Laverstock & Ford Youth this coming Sunday and then Melksham Town U18s are still in but playing under their Mid Wilts League affiliation.  The full list of results and the league each team plays in is shown below (key to leagues at the bottom of the results):

First Round Results

Pewsey Vale (U18 Flood) v Highworth Town Junior J (NW) – awarded to Pewsey

Ramsbury Youth (MW) 3 Marlborough Youth (NW) 2

Chippenham T Yth (MW) 8 Malmesbury Vics Yth Dev (NW) 3

FC Abbey Meads Yth Grey (NW) v Castle Combe Colts – awarded to Abbey Meads

Highworth T Jun H (NW) 7 New College (U18 Flood) 2

AFC Corsham Warriers (MW) 1 Bradford Town Yth Lions (MW) 0

Trowbridge T Raiders (MW) 1 Melksham T Yth Hurric.(MW) 5

S. Supermarine Yth (SWC) 7 Devizes Town (U18 Flood) 3

Westbury Youth (MW) 0 Salisbury FC (SDT) 12

Melksham Town U18 (MW) 9 Devizes Town Yth U17 (MW) 0

Kingdown Lions Black (NW) 5 Lydiard Millicent Jnr (NW) 7

FC Chippenham Yth Blues U17 (NW) v S. Supermarine Yth U17 (NW) - awarded to S. Supermarine

FC Calne Hurricanes U17 v Wroughton Yth U18 (NW) – awarded to Wroughton

Bradford T Flood (WCFYL) v FC Chippenham Yth Kestrels – awarded to Bradford T

Wroughton Youth U17 (NW) 5 Croft Junior Blue (NW) 2

AFC Salisbury v Amesbury Junior Typhoons (MW) – awarded to Amesbury

Calne Town (U18 Flood) v Laverstock & Ford Yth (Test) (Sunday 19/9)

FC Calne Youth U18 (MW) v Ferndale Rodbourne – awarded to FC Calne

Trowbridge Town Yellow (MW) v Melksham Town U18 – awarded to Trowbridge

Downton Youth FC (Test) 3 Alderbury Yth (Test) 3 (3-4 on pens)

Shrewton United (Test) 12 Heytesbury (MW) 0

Bradford Town Youth Tigers (MW) v Melksham T Yth Tornadoes (MW) - awarded to Bradford

Chippenham Town FC U23 (NLP) 9  Royal W. Bassett Town (U18 Flood) 0

Key to Leagues

U18 Flood = Corsham Print Wiltshire League U18 Division

HDL = Hampshire Development League

NW = North Wilts Youth Football League

MW = Mid Wilts Youth Football League

NLP = National League U23 Premier Division

Test = Testaway Youth Football League

SDT = Southampton & District Tyro League

WCFYL = Western Counties Floodlit Youth League

SWC = South West Counties League

The draw has already been made by the Wiltshire FA for Round Two and is as follows:

Second Round Draw

Clarendon Youth (Test) v Alderbury Youth (Test)

Derry Hill U17 Heat (MW) v AFC Corsham U17 Warriers (MW)

Amesbury Jun Typhoons (MW) v Trowbridge Wand. Yth (MW)

Salisbury FC U18 (SDT) v S.Supermarine Yth U18 (SWC)

Bemerton Heath Harl. Yth U18 (HDL) v Durrington U17 (MW)

Melksham T Yth U18 (MW) v Lydiard Millicent Jun U17 (NW)

Ramsbury Youth (MW) v Chippenham Town U23 (NLP)

Pewsey Vale (U18 Flood) v FC Abbey Meads U17 (NW)

Kingsdown Lions U18 (NW) v Chippenham Town Yth U18 (MW)

Ashton Keynes Yth (NW) v Bradford Town U18 Flood (WCYFL)

Melksham T U17 Hurric. (MW) v Bradford T U17 Tigers (MW)

Wroughton Yth U17 (NW) v FC Chippenham U18 Blues (NW)

Highworth Town Junior U17 (NW) v Wroughton Yth U18 (NW)

S.Supermarine U17 (NW) v Trowbridge Town U18 Yellow (MW)

FC Calne Youth U18 (MW) v Calne Town (U18 Flood) or Laverstock & Ford (Test)

Shrewton United (Test) v Bromham Owls U18 (MW)

Ties to be played on Sunday 3rd October 2021

AFC Aldermaston’s home games in the Under 18 Division are being staged on a Monday night and their first home game of the season this week saw New College as the first visitors to the Aldermaston Recreational Society. It was to be a winning start for Aldermaston on their own patch, as goals from Finnley Dove, Dan Sandes, Oliver Brashaw and Oliver Pryce secured a 4-1 win over their visitors from Swindon, Enoch Kuffour with the New College goal. The win saw Aldermaston gain top spot in the table ahead of the other fixtures in the Division which were all played on Thursday night.

The three games on Thursday night saw all the away sides travel back home with the points following a win on the road. Devizes Town’s youngsters good start to the season continued at Calne, goals from Jack Smith and leading scorer Caleb Hollow giving the visitors a 2-1 half time lead at Bremhill View, Charlie Morgan with the Calne goal. Calne got back on level terms early in the second half through Tom Powell, but Charlie Swan restored Devizes lead before Hollow and Smith both bagged their second goals of the night to round-off another good night’s work for Devizes with a 5-2 away win. The win saw Devizes move level at the top with Aldermaston and the two were also joined by Royal Wootton Bassett Town on six points.

Previous meetings between Radstock Town and Royal Wootton Bassett Town had been close affairs with the two meetings last season both ending all square. Both sides went into their game on Thursday night having won their opening league fixtures, but it is Royal Wootton Bassett Town who retained that 100% winning record with an impressive 3-0 result on their opponent’s ground. Goals from Jowan Partridge, Kevin Prouse and Alex Stephenson did the damage for the visitors who joined AFC Aldermaston and Devizes Town on six points.

The final game on Thursday night was at Pewsey Recreation Ground where Melksham Town were the visitors. Whilst Melksham had won the last five meetings between the two sides, their last two visits to Pewsey had been decided by a single goal. It was a different story this time round though with three first half goals putting Melksham in command. They added one more after the break to run out 4-0 winners on the night, the Melksham goals coming from Archie Haggerty with his second of the season, Cameron Pearce, Kegan Smart and an own goal.

The two unbeaten teams in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League both remain unbeaten after this week’s round of games. However, by the end of Thursday night’s action there was now one clear leader in the division, with Devizes Town going two points clear after Royal Wootton Bassett Town were held to a 3-3 draw by Pewsey Vale who picked up their first point of the season in the process.

It was certainly an entertaining game at the Recreation Ground in Pewsey where the home side and Royal Wootton Bassett Town shared six goals. The visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Town led 3-2 at the break thanks to goals from Harry Farrow, Alex Stephenson and Joey Warren but despite multiple chances they were unable to put the game to bed and Pewsey equalised ten minutes from time to ensure a share of the spoils in a match played in a good spirit throughout. On target for Pewsey were Ben England with two and Jude Cawley.

Devizes Town and AFC Aldermaston started the night level on six points at the top of the table, but it was Devizes who ended the night as clear leaders of the division after a 4-2 win. Goals from Jack Smith and leading scorer Caleb Hollow, who moved into double figures for the season, set them on their way before AFC Aldermaston pulled one back. Jack Farion restored Devizes two goal advantage from the penalty spot, but an own goal once again brought Aldermaston back into the game. Tyler Moore finally made sure of the three points for Devizes with a fourth as the game ended 4-2 to Devizes. It had not been without incident though as the floodlights had gone out during the match when a senior player from the club had messed around with the control in the dressing room and accidently switched the lights off.

After an opening day defeat Melksham Town are now unbeaten in their last three after a come from behind win against Calne Town. Luke van de Burght put visitors Calne Town ahead but an error from the Calne keeper who has caught out trying to dribble the ball out after a back pass allowed Tom Dowell to restore parity. Dowell then put the home side ahead for the first time in the game to make it 2-1 to Melksham at the break. Second half saw both sides play some neat football but without any end product and it finished 2-1 to Melksham thanks to those first half goals. The win saw Melksham move level on seven points with Royal Wootton Bassett Town in second spot in the table.

The scheduled game between New College and Radstock Town was called off as a result of the fuel crisis.

Whilst there were only two games this week in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League all of the top three sides were in action.

It was top versus joint second at Devizes Town where Melksham Town were the visitors to Nursteed Road. Melksham arrived on the back of a three-game unbeaten run, but they were no match on the night for an in-form Devizes side. Danny Bowyer set Devizes on the way with his third of the season and Arlo Stone extended their lead to make it 2-0 before the break. There was no let up in the second half by the league leaders, Tyler Moore made it 3-0 before Jack Smith added two further goals, as he moved onto seven for the season, the second of his two goals coming from the penalty spot. Devizes have now won all four of their league games to date.

Hot on Devizes heels are Royal Wootton Bassett Town who remain unbeaten after a comfortable 4-0 home win over New College Swindon. It was very much Kevin Prouse’s night as the striker hit a hat-trick with Kieran Legg adding a fourth. Prouse's first arrived in just the fifth minute of the game as he finished off a decisive counterattack with a precise finish into the bottom left corner. Midway through the half he swept home after a lovely move down the right-hand side before adding his third from the penalty spot. Kieran Legg completed the scoring late in the second half, stealing possession off a New College defender before coolly slotting into the net. Royal Wootton Bassett Town remain two points behind Devizes with both teams having played four games and are now three points ahead of third placed Melksham Town.

Wiltshire County Youth Cup

Last Sunday saw the Second Round of the Wiltshire FA’s Youth Cup and, like the Veterans’ Cup the round was blighted by a number of games having to be awarded, seven games out of a total of 16 having to be awarded. Pewsey Vale continue to fly the flag for the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League beating FC Abbey Meads Youth from the North Wilts Youth League 6-1. Pewsey will be home to Mid Wilts Youth League side FC Calne in the next round, with FC Calne having been awarded their Second-Round match against Calne Town.  Melksham Town's Under 18 side from the Mid Wilts League who include a substantial part of the Floodlit League squad lost to Lydiard Millicent Juniors from the North Wilts League. The full list of results and the league each team plays in is shown below (key to leagues at the bottom of the results):

Second Round Results

Clarendon Youth (Test) v Alderbury Youth (Test) (Away walkover)

Derry Hill U17 Heat (MW) v AFC Corsham U17 Warriers (MW) (Away walkover)

Amesbury Jun Typhoons (MW) v Trowbridge Wand. Yth (MW) (Home walkover)

Salisbury FC U18 (SDT) 1 S. Supermarine Yth U18 (SWC) 6

Bemerton Heath Harl. Yth U18 (HDL) v Durrington U17 (MW) (Away walkover)

Melksham T Yth U18 (MW) 1 Lydiard Millicent Jun U17 (NW) 2

Ramsbury Youth (MW) v Chippenham Town U23 (NLP) (Home walkover)

Pewsey Vale (U18 Flood) 6 FC Abbey Meads U17 (NW) 1

Kingsdown Lions U18 (NW) 2 Chippenham Town Yth U18 (MW) 3

Ashton Keynes Yth (NW) v Bradford Town U18 Flood (WCYFL) (Home walkover)

Melksham T U17 Hurric. (MW) 1 Bradford T U17 Tigers (MW) 1 (3-2 pens)

Wroughton Yth U17 (NW) 4 FC Chippenham U18 Blues (NW) 5

Highworth Town Junior U17 (NW) 4 Wroughton Yth U18 (NW) 2

S.Supermarine U17 (NW) 3 Trowbridge Town U18 Yellow (MW) 3 (6-5 pens)

FC Calne Youth U18 (MW) v Calne Town (U18 Flood) (Home walkover)

Shrewton United (Test) 10 Bromham Owls U18 (MW) 3

The draw has already been made by the Wiltshire FA for Round Two and is as follows:

Durrington U17 (MW) v Ashton Keynes Yth (NW)

Ramsbury Yth (MW)  v Chippenham Town U18 (MW)

FC Chippenham (NW) v Lydiard Millicent Juniors U17 (NW)

Swindon Supermarine U18 (SWC) v Highworth Town Jun U17 (NW)

AFC Corsham U17 (MW) v Amesbury Junior U18 Typhoons (MW)

Shrewton United (Test) v Swindon Supermarine U17 (NW)

Pewsey Vale (U18 Flood) v FC Calne (MW)

Alderbury Yth (Test) v Melksham Town Yth U17(MW)

Key to Leagues

U18 Flood = Corsham Print Wiltshire League U18 Division

HDL = Hampshire Development League

NW = North Wilts Youth Football League

MW = Mid Wilts Youth Football League

NLP = National League U23 Premier Division

Test = Testaway Youth Football League

SDT = Southampton & District Tyro League

WCFYL = Western Counties Floodlit Youth League

SWC = South West Counties League

Ties to be played on Sunday 7th November 2021

Devizes Town travelled into Swindon on Thursday night looking to maintain their 100% winning record in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League against New College. It started well for the visitors with Jack Smith putting them ahead with his eighth goal of the season. However, Joao Pedro De Souza put New College back on level terms before a stunning free kick from Zach Snelham secured a first win of the season for New College as well as ending Devizes perfect league record. What is clear this season is that there is little difference between all the teams in the Under 18 Division which bodes well for another exciting title race.

Melksham Town were looking to move level on points with Royal Wootton Bassett Town in second place with a win against AFC Aldermaston. Lyndon Barnfield put the home side Melksham ahead and the same player then extended their lead just before the break from the penalty spot. Cameron Pearce added a third after the interval and despite further chances to extend their lead it finished 3-0 to Melksham who duly went joint second in the table with their third win of the campaign.

Pewsey Vale had become the first side to take points off Royal Wootton Bassett Town in their last game and travelled to Calne Town looking to build on that result. Calne meanwhile having suffered the abandonment of their first game of the season when leading had lost their next three games and were looking to return to winning ways. In another close encounter it finished all square with one goal apiece, Harrison Dunsden with his second of the season for Calne and Ben England getting his third of the season for Pewsey Vale.

With half-term school holidays there are no fixtures for the next two weeks the action getting back under way on Monday 1st November.

It is very much as you were at the top end of the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League after the latest round of fixtures.

This week’s games got underway on Monday night when Pewsey Vale made their first ever visit to AFC Aldermaston. Pewsey were on a decent run ahead of the game having drawn with both Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Calne Town in their two previous games and that form continued as they picked up their third consecutive drawn game as it finished 1-1 at Aldermaston, once again highlighting that there is very little between all eight teams in the Under 18 Division this season. Dan Sandes scored for AFC Aldermaston with Jack Cady replying for Pewsey Vale. Both teams remained where they were in the league table at the start of the night.

The three games on Thursday night saw the top three in action and all three recorded wins. League leaders Devizes Town maintained their two-point lead at the top of the table thanks to a 2-0 home success over Radstock Town, both goals coming in the second half. The fact that it remained goalless for so long was mainly attributable to the performance of the young Radstock Town keeper. Tyler Moore eventually broke the deadlock before a second from substitute Jack Smith, his ninth of the season, secured all three points for Devizes who maintained their two-point lead at the top of the table.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town were at home to Calne Town, and it was the home side who went in front after 15 minutes, a hanging corner falling perfectly for Kevin Prouse, who guided a controlled side foot volley into the net from close range to make it 1-0. A second set piece goal followed eight minutes before the interval. This time the corner was played short to Jowan Partridge and, after taking one touch, he hit a powerful unstoppable shot from the right side of the area that rattled into the net off the crossbar. Royal Wootton Bassett went close to adding to their total on a couple of occasions, but it remained 2-0 at the interval. Second half saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town continue to have the better of things and they had several chances to put the game beyond the visitors, but none were taken, the closest they came being when a shot was pushed onto the bar by the Calne keeper with the ball rebounding to him. Just after the hour mark Calne started to have more possession and with just under twenty minutes to go, they got themselves back into the game. Home side Royal Wootton Bassett Town were guilty of some casual defending deep inside their own half and, after the visitor’s seized possession, the ball was eventually tapped in by Liam Brooks after his initial shot came back out off the post. That could have made for a nervous end to the game, but Royal Wootton Bassett Town saw out the closing minutes of the match to extend their unbeaten start to the season to five games and keep the gap to Devizes at just two points and with a game in hand.

Biggest winners of the night were Melksham Town who were away at New College Swindon. When the two sides had met back in September at Oakfield Stadium it had ended all square at one goal apiece but in the return, Melksham made sure they maintain their good run which had seen them win three of their four games since that first meeting, by hitting five unanswered goals past the home side. Kegan Smart led the way bagging a brace and further goals from Archie Haggerty and Tom Dowell, all three players taking their total for the season to three, a further strike from Jordan Walker with his first of the season completed the scoring.

Pewsey Vale continue to fly the flag for the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League in the Wiltshire FA’s County Youth Cup, goals from Rory England and Tom Plank securing a 2-0 home win over FC Calne on Sunday in their Third-Round tie. Pewsey are now through to the quarter final where they will meet Durrington U17.

After securing that cup win on Sunday Pewsey took that form into their Floodlit league game this week. Whilst they had been on a good run of late with three successive draws, they finally secured that first league win of the season with a narrow 2-1 defeat of New College Swindon. Both Pewsey goals were scored by Harry Field with Tommy Jewell replying for New College.

Action from Pewsey Vale's 2-0 Wiltshire FA County Youth Cup win over FC Calne on Sunday (Pictures courtesy of Dane Pollard)

League leaders Devizes Town maintained their two-point lead at the top with a hard-fought win over a Calne Town side who have gone close against all of their recent opponents but have just not able to secure a win against the leading sides. Jack Smith put Devizes ahead before Joseph Muir put the home side 2-0 up. Calne pulled a goal back, but Muir then restored Devizes two goal advantage with his second of the game. Arlo Stone effectively wrapped up the points with a fourth Devizes goal, but Calne deservedly scored a second as it ended 4-2 to Devizes. On target for Calne were Jacob Sealy and third of the season from Harrison Dunsden.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town were looking to defend the last unbeaten record in the division when they hosted AFC Aldermaston at the Gerard Buxton Ground in what was an entertaining evening of football. Royal Wootton Bassett Town led 1-0 at the break as leading scorer Kevin Prouse lost his marker and headed home from a perfectly weighted free kick. However, visitors Aldermaston got back on level terms almost immediately after the restart, Billy Rampton firing in into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season. In a tight contest, the score remained all square going into the final twenty minutes. However, two goals in a four-minute spell from the home side proved decisive. The first came after the home side snuffed out the Aldermaston 'keeper's attempt at launching a quick counterattack. The ball was then quickly worked into the final third and Jowan Partridge beat the 'keeper to the ball to bravely head the home side back in front. Another forced turnover of possession inside Aldermaston territory was then crucial in setting up Royal Wootton Bassett for their third. Charlie Stammers easily won an aerial battle as Aldermaston put the ball back into play from a throw in before a through ball was played into the path of James Johnson, who coolly lifted over the on-rushing 'keeper. The visitors pulled a goal back, Billy Rampton once again the scorer with his second of the game to make things interesting. However, Johnson settled any nerves with a low finish from inside the box to make the final score 4-2 to Royal Wootton Bassett Town.

Melksham Town remained level on points with Royal Wootton Bassett Town in joint second spot in the table with a hard fought 3-2 home win over Radstock Town, the first time Melksham had beaten Radstock in the league with Radstock having won all three of the previous meetings. Twice Radstock led only for Melksham to peg them back on both occasions and then score a winner four minutes from time in another entertaining game. On target for Melksham were Cameron Pearce and substitute Rueben Rule who bagged a brace, Alfie Williams and Coby-Lee Hepper-Stroud with the Radstock goals.

Matches in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League this week got underway on Monday night when league leaders Devizes Town made their first ever trip to AFC Aldermaston looking to extend their lead at the top of the table, but things certainly did not go to plan. A 19^th minute opener from AFC Aldermaston’s Finley Dove and a second just after the half hour mark from Jacob Wilson saw Aldermaston lead 2-0 at the break. Whilst Devizes rallied in the second half and scored through leading scorer Jack Smith with his 11^th of the season Devizes were unable to get a second and fell to their second defeat of the season.

Thursday night saw the two teams immediately below Devizes in the table in action away from home knowing that a win would send them top of the table. Melksham Town were at Calne Town, a side who had run them close when they met at the end of September, Melksham winning 2-1 that night at the Oakfield Stadium. It was a much more comfortable evening for Melksham manager Steve Rendell in the return match as his side scored five goals without reply to claim all three points. The goals were shared across the team with one apiece for Archie Haggerty and Kegan Smart, who both netted for the fourth time this season, Ashton Buckland, Theo Black and Luke Gonsalves, the latter three all scoring their first goals of the season. The win sent Melksham joint top of the table with 19 points from their opening nine league fixtures. For Calne that was their sixth defeat of the season, but they have this week had it confirmed that the score at the time of their abandoned game against New College will stand as the final result, both sides having agreed to this outcome. This means all sides in the division have won games this season. Next week sees them in action on Monday night when they visit AFC Aldermaston.

Joining Melksham Town on 19 points at the top of the table are Royal Wootton Bassett Town who completed a league double over New College Swindon with a 4-1 win. Two more goals for leading scorer Kevin Prouse who took his total for the season to eight, the other goals coming through Rhys Farrow and Kieron Legg, Tommy Jewell with his second of the season replying for New College. Royal Wootton Bassett Town remain the only unbeaten side in the league ahead of next week’s tasty looking encounter with Devizes Town.



Pewsey Vale made the trip to Radstock Town knowing they had lost heavily on their two previous visits to Southfield Recreation Ground. Whilst they had yet to lose at home to Radstock, those two previous visits had not been fruitful. In the latest encounter they twice found themselves trailing to Radstock goals, coming back on both occasions to level matters up. Lewis Wheeler put Radstock in front with a header before Ben England scored for Pewsey to make it 1-1. Alfie Wheeler then fired Radstock ahead from the penalty spot after a handball in the area and it remained 2-1 at half time. Just as it looked like Radstock would return to winning ways, Ben Hayward restored parity for Pewsey with a goal late on and the same player then headed in the winner in the closing stages of the match getting on the end of a corner unchallenged at the far post to make it 3-2 to Pewsey. The win saw Pewsey extend their unbeaten record in the league to five games ahead of a tough looking trip to Melksham next week. Meanwhile Radstock, who have been on the wrong end of narrow 3-2 scores in consecutive weeks, will be hoping for a change of luck when they entertain New College Swindon next Thursday.

There was once again Monday night action in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with AFC Aldermaston playing their home game at the start of the week. Their visitors on Monday were Calne Town whom they had beaten 3-2 in a close game back in September at Bremhill View. Two first half goals from Ryan Smith and Billy Rampton gave Aldermaston their fourth win of the season and ensured they maintained their unbeaten record at home as they ran out 2-0 winners to complete a league double over the visitors. The win for Aldermaston consolidated their fourth-place position in the table ahead of next  week's trip to New College Swindon. 

Melksham Town started Thursday night as joint leaders of the division but by the end of the evening they had sole ownership of the summit for the next seven days thanks to a hard-fought win over Pewsey Vale and results elsewhere. Melksham had won comfortably 4-0 back in September at Pewsey but it was a different story in the return match with Pewsey pushing them all the way and with more luck and composure in front of goal could have avenged that earlier defeat. In a high-quality encounter all three goals came in the first half, Lyndon Banfield scoring twice for Melksham and Harry Field replying for the visitors Pewsey. The second half saw Pewsey go close to getting an equaliser on a number of occasions but in the end the Melksham defence held out to secure the three points and sole leadership of the division. For Pewsey Vale their fine unbeaten run of late had finally been brought to an end but they will look to return to winning ways when Devizes Town visit next week.  Royal Wootton Bassett Town's top of the table clash against Devizes Town more than lived up to the billing as the teams served up a thrilling contest. Frustratingly for the home side though, a last-minute equaliser saw Devizes claim a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw which saw the home side drop to second place in the table.



Royal Wootton Bassett Town twice went ahead, only to see Devizes pull level and earn a draw right at the end of the game. At half time, the home side looked comfortable, leading 2-0. Both goals came from corners, with James Johnson steering a header home in the opening five minutes and Sebastian Smith glancing into the far corner on the half hour mark. Devizes struck back shortly after the restart as Arlo Stone capitalised on a under hit back-pass to slot into an empty net. A Jack Farion penalty then levelled things up, but parity did not last long, however, as Charlie Stammers shot come cross from the right-hand edge of the 18-yard box looped over the Devizes keeper Jack Cross into the top left corner of the net. It appeared that the home side were on course for victory and would establish a four-point advantage over Devizes with a game in hand still to play. However, the home side were punished for being unable to keep hold of possession as they sought to run out the clock from a corner. This enabled Devizes to break forward and a robust, but seemingly fair, challenge on Stammers allowed them to maintain their attacking progress. When the ball was eventually played into the box, Stone was on hand to steer in at the right post, to level matters up at 3-3. There was just about time to take the kick-off before the referee brought the contest to an end. Despite being dislodged from top spot Royal Wootton Bassett Town remain unbeaten, with a game in hand over Devizes and two over Melksham. The goals from this game along with more photos from Steve Green can be viewed on the Royal Wootton Bassett Town website by clicking on this LINK. Another big game at the Gerard Buxton Ground next week when league leaders Melksham Town visit for a game that sees the current top two sides meet.

More action from the 3-3 draw between Royal Wootton Bassett Town & Devizes Town (pictures courtesy of Steve Green)

The final game of the night was at the other end of the league table and saw Radstock Town return to form with a convincing 6-1 win over New College, the win seeing them climb above their opponents and also Calne Town. Lewis Wheeler led the way scoring twice as he took his total for the season to four, also moving onto four for the season was Alfie Williams whilst Freddie Blacker, Thomas Hobbs and William Tucker all bagged their first goals of the season as Radstock secured their second win of the season. They will look to make it three next week when they host Calne Town.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town went into Thursday night’s top of the table clash against Melksham Town Reserves as the only unbeaten side in the division. They had secured a narrow 2-1 win away at Melksham in their opening league fixture of the season and a repeat of that victory would put them in the driving seat in the title race with Melksham having also lost to Devizes Town. For Melksham, with just four games to go, they really needed to win to make the pendulum swing back their way in the quest for the title. It was another tight affair on Thursday night with the sides turning round at the break with the game still awaiting its first goal. The game in the end was decided by two set pieces in the second half. Melksham Town went ahead five minutes after the restart when Tom Dowell got on the end of Cameron Pearce’s low free-kick at the near post, a deft flick from Dowell steering the ball into the net for 1-0. Pearce then went from provider to scorer, doubling Melksham's advantage just before the 70th minute mark, producing a stunning free kick from 20 yards out that was placed perfectly into the top right corner. The win saw Melksham open up a five-point lead at the top of the table over Royal Wootton Bassett Town, although second placed Bassett have two games in hand over Melksham. Melksham’s final three games see them go to AFC Aldermaston and Radstock Town and a home game against Devizes Town, all potentially tricky fixtures in what is turning out to be another fascinating title race in the Under 18 Division.The goals from this game can be viewed on the Royal Wootton Bassett Town website by clicking on this LINK.

Radstock Town are certainly a side who have started to find form. After last week’s big 6-1 win over New College they followed it up on Thursday night with another victory over Calne Town, 3-1 the score in their latest win. Two goals from Toby Vining plus a strike from Freddie Blacker secured Radstock’s third win of the season and saw them climb a couple of places in the table. Calne Town's goal came from the usual source this season, with Harrison Dunsden scoring his sixth of the campaign. 

New College bounced back from that defeat last week with a narrow 1-0 home success over AFC Aldermaston, Tommy Jewell with his fourth goal of the season securing the three points for New College who moved off the bottom of the table as a result of their win.

Unfortunately in the end all of the scheduled league fixtures in the U18 Division this week will need to be re-scheduled. The one game at Pewsey between Pewsey Vale and Radstock Town that did start unfortunately had to be abandoned due to heavy rain just before half time on an already wet pitch.

Whilst there was a blank as far as the league games were concerned in the U18 Division, Pewsey Vale did get to play their Wiltshire FA Youth Cup quarter final tie last Sunday against Durrington and progressed to the last four courtesy of a 7-0 win. Two goals each for Jude Cawley, Ben England and Rory England, with Tom Holdstock getting the other goal, all seven goals coming in the first half. Pewsey will be joined in the last four by Chippenham Town from the Mid Wilts Youth & Minors League, South West Counties League side Swindon Supermarine and Shrewton United from the Testaway Youth Football League.

The full set of quarter final results was:

Amesbury J Typhoons 1 Swindon Supermarine 11

Chippenham Town v Alderbury Yth - Awarded to Chippenham Town

Pewsey Vale 7 Durrington 0

Shrewton Utd 2 FC Chippenham 2 (Shrewton won 3-1 on pens)

Three of the four scheduled fixtures in the final round of games in 2021 went ahead on Thursday night including the big clash at the top of the table between Melksham Town and Devizes Town. When the sides had met at Devizes earlier in the season Devizes had won comfortably 5-0. However, since that defeat Melksham had gone on a run that had seen them win five games in a row, including becoming the only side to defeat Royal Wootton Bassett Town so far, to very much take themselves into the title race. In an even first half, which saw both sides play some neat football, the division’s leading scorer Jack Smith scored the first goal of the game to put Devizes 1-0 up, but Melksham were back on level terms before half time through Archie Haggerty with his fifth goal of the season. The second half saw Melksham start to dominate and Cameron Pearce put them ahead for the first time in the game, also notching his fifth of the season for the Under 18 side. Melksham then had a series of glorious chances to extend their lead, but they failed to take any of the chances that came their way and were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal when Devizes broke away and Caleb Hollow equalised on 72 minutes. Just as it looked like the two sides would have to settle for a point apiece another rare second half attack from Devizes saw Smith net his second of the game and his 13^th of the season to break Melksham hearts and snatch all three points for his side. The win for Devizes saw them move to within three points of Melksham but crucially with two games in hand. For Melksham this defeat could prove costly in their quest for honours as they now just have two games left against Radstock Town and AFC Aldermaston and the two chasing sides are now both one win away from them.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town were looking to keep their title challenge on track when they met Radstock Town at the Gerard Buxton Ground. When the sides had met earlier in the season Royal Wootton Bassett Town had completed a 3-0 win and repeated that score line in the return match. They went ahead on 11 minutes when a low shot from James Johnson from the edge of the box deceived Radstock keeper Lucas Purnell and nestled into the corner of the net. The home side went close to extending their lead on 26 minutes when Joey Warren shot just wide after a neat one-two down the right-hand flank. Just after the half hour mark Warren slid the ball through to Johnson on the edge of the box but his powerful shot went just over the bar. However, he was not to be denied a second for very long, another low shot from the edge of the box this time was placed in the opposite corner of the net to make it 2-0 to the home side. After the break the home side continued to dominate the possession and Alex Stephenson went close on 52 minutes but was denied by an excellent save from Purnell. There was little Purnell could do three minutes later when he was again beaten by an accurate shot from the edge of the box into the far corner of the net, Flynn Walters the scorer firing in after a fine solo run. Purnell in the Radstock goal then pulled off a great save from a Kevin Prouse effort to keep his side in the game. Radstock went close to pulling one back just after the hour mark, after a quick long throw down the left-hand side put Ollie Brook in the clear, but he was unable to make a proper connection and his shot went straight to the Royal Wootton Bassett Town keeper Louis Smith. At the other end Purnell continued to prevent any further goals with another good save this time with his feet to deny Kieran Legg a goal, with Alex Stephenson firing the rebound over the bar. In the end a comfortable win for the home side although the visitors played some neat football at times but were unable to unlock a disciplined home defence on the night. 



The third game that took place on Thursday night saw New College Swindon host Calne Town in a battle between the two sides at the bottom of the table. This was the return game to the opening game of the season that had been cut short due to an injury to a New College player causing the game to be ended early. Calne Town had led 4-1 at the time and both teams had agreed the result should stand with the game in its closing stages. Thankfully the return was less eventful, but it was a much closer encounter this time round as Calne Town eventually edged it by the odd goal in five to complete a league double over New College and move level on points with them. Harrison Dunsden was once again amongst the goals for Calne, scoring his seventh of the season, with Joe Law and Luke van de Burght the other Calne scorers, Lewis Newcombe with both of the New College goals.

Under 18 Cup Competition

As has been previously mentioned, with the league fixtures well progressed, we will be looking to run a cup competition in the New Year for the Under 18s, that is provided the weather and covid allows us to complete league fixtures.

The Management Committee discussed the cup competition at our recent meeting and agreed to split the division (geographically) into two groups of four, with the winners of each group progressing to a final. This will give each team a minimum of an additional six fixtures.

The two groups will comprise the following:

Group A

AFC Aldermaston

Calne Town

New College Swindon

Royal Wootton Bassett

Group B

Devizes Town

Melksham Town

Pewsey Vale

Radstock Town

We will get this competition set up on Full-Time and fixtures should be posted in January.

With league leaders Melksham Town’s game against Aldermaston postponed due to a frozen pitch, all attention turned to Nursteed Road Devizes where it was second v third as Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Devizes Town met with the chance to go top of the league with a win.

As expected, it was a cagey affair in the opening exchanges with the better chances falling to the visitors. On 16 minutes Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s leading scorer Kevin Prouse had a chance with a header from a corner but his header went straight to Devizes keeper Jack Cross and was easily saved. A minute later the visitors’ Charlie Stammers hit a dipping shot from the edge of the box but once again Cross in the Devizes goal made it look easy gathering the shot at the first attempt. Royal Wootton Bassett Town continued to try their luck from distance, Joey Warren being the next to fire in a shot but again his effort went straight to the keeper. Next up Kieran Legg hit another shot from outside the box but this time it sailed high and wide of the goal. Devizes grew into the game, and went close on 23 minutes, the lively Caleb Hollow seeing his low shot saved by Royal Wootton Bassett Town keeper Louis Smith with his feet with the resulting corner then being headed wide.

The deadlock was finally broken on 32 minutes, and it was a stunning goal that certainly lifted the home crowd on a bitterly cold night. A quick break out down the right-hand side saw Harvey Swain get behind the visitors back line following a defence splitting pass from Jack Farion. A cut back from Swain found Hollow on the edge of the box and the Devizes forward hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net to make it 1-0 to Devizes. Devizes continued to restrict the visitors to shots from distance and they just didn’t find their range all night, leading scorer Prouse being the latest to try his luck from distance, but his effort went wide. Five minutes before half time Devizes went close to extending their lead, Hollow once again the player opening up the visitor’s defence, but he saw his shot deflected wide for a corner by Smith in the Royal Wootton Bassett Town goal, the keeper doing well to prevent his side falling further behind and it remained 1-0 at the break with all to play for in the second half.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town came out for the second half and for a short while in the opening minutes it looked like they might get themselves back into the game. Joey Warren perhaps should have done better from a James Johnson free kick, but then the expected rally just did not happen, and the visitors found themselves 2-0 down ten minutes into the half. The goal came about after the visitor’s defence failed to properly deal with a corner, the ball falling to Jack Farion just inside the 18-yard box and his header looped over Smith into the net for 2-0. That second goal seemed to drain all of the confidence from the visitors, whilst the home side and the vocal crowd were lifted and the home side began to dominate, creating chance after chance as they lay siege to the visitor’s goal. Hollow went close to making it 3-0 but his header went just wide of the goal. The third was not too long in coming though and it was another very special goal. The ball fell to Farion 30 yards out from goal, and he hit a low powerful shot that into the bottom right-hand corner of the net to put his side into an unassailable lead. The miserable night for the visitors went from bad to worse ten minutes from time when a defensive mix up saw Jack Smith get clear of the defence and he was then brought down by the visitor’s keeper Louis Smith. With Farion on a hat-trick there was only ever going to be one taker of the spot kick and he gave the Bassett keeper no chance with his penalty to make it 4-0 to Devizes. Five minutes from time Jack Smith went close to extending Devizes lead after a run to the edge of the box ended with a powerful shot that went just over the bar. The closing minutes saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town looking to get a consolation goal but headers from centre backs Zane Pinnock and Seb Smith, from James Johnson free kicks, were both off target and summed up the visitor’s night, restricted to shots from distance or set pieces, they never really caused the home keeper any danger in a game of such importance in the title race.



The impressive performance and win for Devizes saw them move level on points with Melksham Town at the top of the table but with Devizes having a game in hand and with the destiny of the title now very much in their own hands, win their last three and they will be crowned champions. Royal Wootton Bassett Town remain two points behind Melksham with a game in hand but will probably now need to win all of their three remaining games to make certain of runners-up and then hope that Devizes slip up in one of their remaining three games if they are to lift the title. They are back in action on Monday night with a tricky looking trip to AFC Aldermaston who remain unbeaten on home turf.

There were two other games played as the Under 18 Division finally beat the weather and got going again after the New Year break. Radstock Town visited Calne Town looking to secure a third straight victory over their opponents and a fifth of the season from leading scorer Lewis Wheeler and a first of the season from substitute Steven Johnson ensured that it was Radstock who returned to Somerset with all three points courtesy of a 2-0 win. The victory saw Radstock remain in fifth spot but move to within a point of AFC Aldermaston with a game in hand.

The other game on Thursday night was at Supermarine where New College Swindon entertained Pewsey Vale  who were looking to complete a league double over the home side having won 2-1 back in November. It was another close contest between the two sides with yet another 2-1 score line but this time it went the way of New College who avenged that earlier defeat. The New College goals were scored by JJ Maundrell, with his second of the season, and Rovi Lobato, as New College moved above Pewsey Vale in the table. For Pewsey that is now seven games in a row that their matches have either finished all square or have been settled by a solitary goal, providing a good example of how there is very little difference between all of the sides in the Under 18 Division this season, Joe Cligg with the Pewsey goal. Pewsey’s thoughts will now turn to Sunday as they host Chippenham Town Youth in the Wiltshire County FA Youth Cup Semi-Final.

Just Royal Wootton Bassett Town of the top three were in action this week in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. They had what looked to be a tricky away game at AFC Aldermaston, a side who were unbeaten at home ahead of Monday night’s encounter. When the sides had met at the Gerard Buxton Ground in November, Royal Wootton Bassett Town were 4-2 winners in an entertaining game, and it was expected to be another close game in the return at Aldermaston given their excellent home form. A first half deflected goal from the visitors’ Charlie Stammers, coming after good good build up play involving James Johnson and Kevin Prouse,  was all that separated the two sides at half time. A second from Kieron Legg in the closing stages of the game, firing in on the rebound after Kevin Prouse saw his penalty saved, extended Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s lead and helped alleviate some of the nerves in the visitors’ dugout. AFC Aldermaston continued to push to try and get themselves back in the game and had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit in the dying minutes when they were also awarded a penalty after the visitors' keeper Louis Smith pulled down an Aldermaston player in the box. However, the keeper redemmed himself diving to his right to save the spot kick to ensure a clean sheet for his side who returned to Wiltshire with all three points courtesy of the 2-0 win. This was enough to send them back top of the table with two games to go, although Devizes remain in pole position one point behind but with three games to go. Royal Wootton Bassett Town are away to Calne Town next Thursday and end their fixtures with a home game against Pewsey Vale. Devizes are home to New College Swindon next Thursday, a side they lost to earlier in the season, before a tricky looking away game at Radstock Town. They then finish with an away game at Pewsey Vale. Melksham Town are level on points with Devizes with two games to play and also have to go to Radstock Town before finishing their fixtures against AFC Aldermaston.

With Radstock Town playing both Melksham Town and Devizes Town in those final series of matches, and still with an outside chance of a top three position themselves, they will certainly have a major say in the ultimate destination of the Under 18 Division honours this season. On Thursday night they recorded their fourth win in their last five games with a comfortable 3-0 win over New College Swindon. Leading scorer Lewis Wheeler notched a sixth goal of the season, William Tucker was also on target with his second of the season and there was a debut goal from substitute Ollie Thomas.



The final game of the week saw the bottom two at the start of the night, Calne Town and Pewsey Vale, in opposition. Pewsey went into the game having booked a place in the final of the Wiltshire FA County Youth Cup last Sunday thanks to an impressive 3-1 win over Chippenham Town Youth. Rory England, Ayron Rowe and Jude Cawley with the goals that secured that place in the final of this prestigious competition. They will meet Swindon Supermarine in the final which is being staged at the Wiltshire FA’s headquarters at Green Lane on Friday 18^th March. Unfortunately for Pewsey they were unable to take their cup form into the league on Thursday night and went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat, an eighth of the season from Calne Town’s Harrison Dunsden being all that separated the two sides on the night. The win for Calne saw them climb two places in the table, with Pewsey slipping to the bottom as a result of the defeat.

It was certainly a good night for Devizes Town on Thursday night as they put one hand on the Under 18 title with an 8-0 win over New College whilst their two nearest opponents, Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Melksham Town, were both losing. The Division’s leading scorer Jack Smith set them on their way with the opener before Arlo Stone added a second. Smith then increased his tally for the season when he intercepted a back-pass and stroked the ball into an empty net to make it 3-0 at half time. As had been the case in their last game against Royal Wootton Bassett Town, Devizes Town stepped up their game in the second half and Smith put them further ahead, giving him a hat-trick and taking his personal tally for the season in the Under 18 Division to 15. Further goals for Devizes from Danny Bowyer and Harvey Swain, the latter with a brace, saw Devizes take a 7-0 ahead before Arlo Stone notched his second of the game to round-off the scoring on the night to make the final score 8-0 in Devizes favour.

Whilst Devizes were doing their business on the night, it was a different story for the other two still in with a chance of honours this season. Royal Wootton Bassett Town travelled the short distance to Calne Town knowing nothing short of a win was needed to keep the pressure on Devizes Town after losing to Devizes a fortnight ago. It had been a close affair in the first meeting between the two sides, as is often the way in local derbies, and it was a similar story in this one. The visitors should have gone ahead in the first 20 minutes, Euan Spackman and James Johnson both firing over when presented with good chances in the 18-yard box. They did eventually take the lead in the 22^nd minute, Sonny James firing in after the Calne defence failed to deal with a corner from the right, James netting from the edge of the six-yard box after a melee in the box. The visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Town then suffered a blow when the influential Johnson was forced to come off due to an ankle injury. The visitors went close to extending their lead just after the half hour mark, Kieran Legg getting on the end of a cross from the right but firing just over. Harrison Dunsden then went close to getting the equaliser for Calne five minutes from the break, the ball falling to him on the edge of the box, but his powerful shot went just over the bar. They were not to be denied for long though, right on the stroke of half time Royal Wootton Bassett Town Louis Smith pulled off a great save, turning a powerful shot from the edge of the box round the post for a corner. However, from the resulting corner Smith failed to deal with the deep cross and the ball was turned in by Jacob Sealy at the far post for 1-1.

Second half remained nip and tuck with the better chances falling the way of the home side. In the 50^th minute a ball over the top found Dunsden behind the visitors back line but his shot went just over, and it remained all square. It remained that way until ten minutes from time when Royal Wootton Bassett Town defender Zane Pinnock was caught in the middle of his own half trying to dribble the ball out and was dispossessed, a pass into the right hand channel found Liam Brooks who was upended in the box and a penalty awarded to the home side. Leading scorer Harrison Dunsden took the responsibility and safely dispatched the ball into the net for his ninth of the season to make it 2-1 to Calne.  A few minutes later Calne had strong shouts for a second penalty but this time the officials waved play-on. With the game and their title aspirations draining away there was little offered by the visitors in the closing minutes, they forced a couple of corners but never really looked like getting back on level terms and it finished 2-1 to the home side. That was Calne Town’s final league game of the season as they finished their campaign on a high. For the visitors two defeats in their last three games has severely dented their quest for honours.

Another side who started the night with title aspirations were Melksham Town who faced a tricky looking away game at Radstock Town. Melksham also knew that they almost certainly needed to win to keep any title hopes alive but were up against an in-form Radstock Town side who had won four of their last five games and also had a good record against Melksham, winning three of their four previous league meetings. That good record for Radstock continued on Thursday night as, despite the absence of captain and regular keeper Lucas Purnell through injury, they kept their third clean sheet in a row. At the other end they scored the only goal of the game through leading scorer Lewis Wheeler, Wheeler scoring with a shot from 25 yards for his seventh of the campaign.  That is now three straight wins for Radstock ahead of next week’s big game against Devizes Town and with ten of their squad available still next season they will be hoping to be challenging for the title themselves next season.

The final game of the night was at Pewsey Vale where the home side were looking to lift themselves off the bottom of the table with a win against AFC Aldermaston. When the sides had met earlier in the season it had finished all square and another close game was anticipated and so it proved. A solitary goal for AFC Aldermaston from the penalty spot, Jacob Wilson putting the spot kick away nine minutes from time, ensured they returned to Berkshire with all three points, their fifth win in their 12 games to date.

After the dust had settled on the night’s action, league leaders Devizes now have two games to play with the destiny of the title very much in their own hands. Next week they travel to an in-form Radstock Town before completing their league fixtures with a trip to Pewsey Vale. Win one of those two games and they are guaranteed the title. Lose both and they open the door for Royal Wootton Bassett Town were they to win their own game against Pewsey. If they lose one and draw one and Royal Wootton Bassett Town win their final game, then a play-off would be needed to decide the title as FA rules do not allow goal difference to decide Under 18 divisions. There is an outside chance that Melksham Town could also be involved in a title play-off, but it would need both Devizes Town and Royal Wootton Bassett Town to lose their remaining games and Melksham to win their final game. Under that scenario a play-off would be required between Devizes Town and Melksham Town. The picture will be a lot clearer after next week's two games. 

Devizes Town U18 celebrating their league title sucess

On Thursday night Devizes Town were crowned champions of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Under 18 Division with a game to spare. They secured the league title in their first season in the league with a hard fought 2-0 win away at Radstock Town. Devizes started their first season in the league with an impressive 6-1 win in the FA Youth Cup over Shepton Mallet and it was the first evidence that Devizes were in for a good season. They immediately brought that cup form into the league hitting another six goals in their opening league fixture against Pewsey Vale. They exited the FA Youth Cup at the hands of the youth team of National League side Gloucester City but this after giving their higher league opposition a fright. They raced into a 2-0 lead before missing a penalty and then seeing Gloucester pull one back just before half time. Gloucester equalised from the penalty spot early in the second half, and it then remained all square until three late goals saw Gloucester secure the win, but they knew they had been given a tough game by their opponents from the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League.

Three straight wins in the league against Calne Town, AFC Aldermaston and an impressive 5-0 success against Melksham Town saw Devizes Town the early league leaders.  They suffered their first defeat of the season away at New College in what was New College’s first win of the season but was an early indication that on their day any side in this season’s Under 18 Division was capable of beating any other. Devizes returned to winning ways with back-to-back wins at fortress Nursteed Road to maintain a two-point lead over Royal Wootton Bassett Town who were at this stage unbeaten and with a game in hand. Next up for Devizes was a Monday night trip to Aldermaston and David Moore’s side suffered their second defeat of the season going down 2-1. Once again it was only by a solitary goal, but it allowed both Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Melksham Town to go ahead of them in the table as just one point separated the three teams at the top of the table. However, this was to be the last time that Devizes lost until they had secured the league title.

Next up for Devizes was a trip to the Gerard Buxton Ground to meet the new leaders Royal Wootton Town and the two sides served up a thriller. Trailing 3-2 going into the last minute of the game a goal for Devizes from Arlo Stone ensured the points were shared and gave Devizes a big physiological advantage knowing that their opponents still had to travel to Nursteed Road where Devizes had a 100% winning record. Devizes saw out 2021 with a second win over the strong Melksham Town side who by now were the new league leaders, although the 3-2 score line was a lot closer than the first meeting and once again it was a late goal, this time from leading scorer Jack Smith that secured the points.

The first game of the new calendar year was the return match against Royal Wootton Bassett Town and after successfully defending against some initial pressure from the visitors, Devizes went into the break one nil to the good thanks to a spectacular goal from Caleb Hollow in what had been another close encounter up to this point. It was a different story after the break as a rampant Devizes came out second half and scored three unanswered goals to put them well and truly in the driving seat for the league title. An emphatic win against New College last week on a night when their two nearest rivals were losing set them up for Thursday’s game at Radstock. The win over New College meant Devizes had won all seven of their home league games at Nursteed Road.

With the game against Radstock and one more against Pewsey Vale, Devizes knew they only needed to win one of those two games and they were guaranteed the title. Lose both and they would open the door for Royal Wootton Bassett Town were they to win their own game against Pewsey. If Devizes lost one and drew one and Royal Wootton Bassett Town won their final game, then a play-off would be needed to decide the title as FA rules do not allow goal difference to decide Under 18 divisions. There was also still an outside chance that Melksham Town could also be involved in a title play-off, but it would need both Devizes Town and Royal Wootton Bassett Town to lose their remaining games and Melksham to win their final game. Under that scenario a play-off would then be required between Devizes Town and Melksham Town.

There was to be no need for a play off though as Devizes Town made sure of the title in the first of those two games although they were made to work hard for the three points by a Radstock Town team who had won three games in a row going into the match and had a good record at home. They made it difficult for Devizes and it was certainly a tight first half played at a high tempo with both sides creating chances. The deadlock was finally broken five minutes from the break, and it was Devizes with the goal when Arlo Stone was upended in the box and a penalty given. Jack Farion made no mistake from the spot firing into the keeper’s right for his eighth of the season to send his side into half time with that slender lead.

Jack Farion with the penalty that put Devizes 1-0 up & the celebrations for the second goal from Caleb Hollow

Both sides came out second half and maintained the intensity of the first period. In the 66^th minute Devizes finally gave themselves some breathing space when a ball forward found Caleb Hollow behind the Radstock back line one on one with the Radstock keeper. The striker made no mistake with the chance as he hit the ball under the keeper for 2-0 and his eighth league goal of the campaign and his 13^th of the season. Devizes saw out the closing stages maintaining a clean sheet for the third consecutive game and the fifth time this season to ensure the title was secured and the celebrations could commence.

Congratulations to Devizes manager David Moore, his young players and the team’s coaches on their excellent achievement in their first season in the league.  It has been a difficult season for their two senior sides but their Under 18 team has certainly given the club something to celebrate this season. They led from the front in the early part of the season and then those two wins over their nearest rivals in the run in showed they were clearly the top side in the division this season and are fully deserving of all the accolades that will come their way. With several of the team progressing to both the Reserves and First Team already this season the future is clearly a lot brighter for Devizes Town Football Club’s senior sides going forward.

Whilst Devizes were making sure of the league title their nearest challengers Royal Wootton Bassett Town were securing runners-up spot. They came into the game following defeat last week at Calne Town that had effectively ended any realistic hopes of the title. With Melksham Town hot on their heels, they knew they could not afford another slip up. Three points were almost certainly needed for runners-up against a Pewsey Vale side who, whilst bottom of the table, were a match for any side in the division as Royal Wootton Bassett Town had found on their visit to Pewsey at the end of September when the two sides had shared six goals and the points. It was anther tight game in the return match with the two sides turning round at the break with the game still looking for its first goal. The deadlock was finally broken early in the second half, and it was visitors Pewsey who got the goal, Thomas Holdstock firing in after good build up play down the left. Royal Wootton Bassett Town finally got themselves back on level terms 20 minutes from time, Joey Warren hitting a shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box. Warren then created what turned out to be the winning goal, his powerful run through midfield initiating a move that eventually saw the ball fall to Kevin Prouse on the edge of the six-yard box and the sides’ leading scorer fired home for his ninth of the season to make it 2-1, ensuring that Royal Wootton Bassett Town finished second behind Devizes Town. The performance from Pewsey once again highlighted how close most games have been this season in the Under 18 Division and whilst the honours go to Devizes Town and Royal Wootton Bassett Town credit to all eight teams for making this one of the most competitive seasons ever. Pewsey now have the Wiltshire FA's County Youth Cup Final to look forward to when they will have their top striker Rory England back in the fold for the final against Swindon Supermarine on March 18th.

There are four more league games left to complete the season before the sides then take part in a cup competition which sees the eight sides split into two groups based on a geographic split with the winners of the two groups then meeting in a final to decide the cup winners. Initial fixtures for this competition should be on FA Full Time shortly.

 Calne Town U18 who opened their Cup group fixtures with a narrow win over New College

Both the two scheduled league games were postponed due to waterlogged pitches meaning that it is as you were in the Under 18 Division league table.

One game did go ahead in Group A of the Cup competition and it was a repeat of the last cup final staged at the age group with Calne Town and New College Swindon meeting. In the 2019 Cup Final it was New College who emerged victorious but on this occasion it was Calne Town who got their group games off to a winning start, with a 2-1 win. On target for Calne were Joe Law and a fourth of the season from Luke van de Burght, Bradley Derry replying for New College.

The Under 18 Cup competition got underway in earnest this week with three more group games played to add to the one played a fortnight ago between Calne Town and New College. Calne Town were once again in action in Group A but were unable to make it two wins from two, as they lost 3-0 at home to Royal Wootton Bassett Town, the visitors avenging the league defeat they had suffered which had ended any chance they had of lifting the league title. Goals from James Johnson, a stunning strike from Kieron Legg and Flynn Walters goal securing the three points for Royal Wootton Bassett Town as they got their group games off to a winning start.

However, the early leaders in the group are AFC Aldermaston who produced their best result of the season with an impressive 6-1 away win over New College to head the group at this early stage. Both Finley Dove and Adam Keating bagged a brace with the other two goals coming from Michael Simpson and Luke Schofield who both scored their first goals of the season. AFC Aldermaston are back in action this coming Monday when they entertain Calne Town in another group game.

The first game in Group B saw champions Devizes Town up against Melksham Town. Devizes had won all seven of their home league games and they maintained their 100% winning record at Nursteed Road with a 3-1 success. Caleb Hollow set them on their way with his 14^th goal of the season. Harvey Swain then extended their lead, but Melksham pulled one back through Rueben Rule to make it 2-1 at the break. A second for Swain after the interval completed the scoring as Devizes defeated Melksham for the third time this season.

The one scheduled league fixture between Pewsey Vale and Radstock Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Just two of the scheduled four fixtures in the Under 18 Cup competition went ahead this week, with one game in each of the two groups.

In Group B Pewsey Vale warmed up for their Wiltshire FA County Youth Cup final next Friday with an impressive second half performance against visitors Melksham Town. Melksham had done the double over Pewsey in the league, but Pewsey avenged those two defeats with a 4-0 victory to get themselves up an running in the Group B group games and early leadership of the group. All four goals came in the second half. Leading scorer Ben England took his total for the season to five, Tom Holdstock scored from the penalty spot, Tom Plank saw his free kick hit the post and rebound off the Melksham keeper into the net for an own goal and a second of the season from Jude Cawley completed the scoring in what was Pewsey’s best result in the Under 18 Floodlit League competitions this season. Thoughts now turn to next Friday 18^th March when they meet Swindon Supermarine at Green Lane, Devizes, with a 7.30PM kick-off.

The one game in Group A this week took place on Monday night, and it saw Calne Town return to the top of the group with a 2-1 away win at AFC Aldermaston. Once again, the teams turned round at the break with the game still awaiting its first goal with all three goals coming in the second half. On target for Calne were Harrison Sartin and leading scorer Harrison Dunsden, the latter scoring from the penalty spot to take his total for the season into double figures. The reply from AFC Aldermaston came through Billy Rampton with his fourth goal of the season. That is now two wins for Calne from their opening three group games ahead of next week’s return against Royal Wootton Bassett Town, the only team to defeat them so far in the competition.

Picture courtesy of Dane Pollard

Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Competitions

The Under 18 action got underway on Monday night when AFC Aldermaston entertained New College Swindon in Group A of the Cup competition. Having won 6-1 at Supermarine 11 days earlier, AFC Aldermaston completed a quickfire cup double over New College with a 5-0 win. Billy Rampton scored two, netting for the second consecutive game, and there were further goals from Adam Keating, Finley Dove and Ryan Smith. The win sent Aldermaston back top of the table ahead of Thursday’s scheduled games.

On Thursday night just the one game survived the wet weather in the early part of the week and that was at the Gerard Buxton Ground where the game was being played on the 3G pitch. The home side Royal Wootton Bassett Town had defeated Calne Town 3-0 in the first cup fixture between the two, but Calne were on better form on Thursday night. Having beaten Royal Wootton Bassett in the league towards the end of the season, they have now also taken points off them in the cup competition. Jahrel Campbell gave Calne a half time lead with his first goal of the season, but Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s leading striker Kevin Prouse put his side back on level terms with his tenth goal of the season and the sides had to settle for a point apiece. The point for Calne Town was enough to send them back above AFC Aldermaston at the top of the table, whilst Royal Wootton Bassett Town remained third but with games in hand on the top two.

Wiltshire FA County Youth Cup Final (Report courtesy of Lee Jeffery, Pewsey Vale FC)

Friday night saw Pewsey Vale's U18's against Swindon Supermarine Youth U18's in the Wiltshire FA Youth Cup Final held at the Wiltshire FA's headquarters at Green Lane, Devizes. The game started with the intensity expected of a cup final, Supermarine going close on a counterattack in the very first minute. Pewsey then attacked, Tom Holdstock took a shot at the Supermarine keeper, who spilled it, for Pewsey's Jude Cawley to find the back of the net to take an early lead. Supermarine then went back on the attack again and quickly got an equaliser. Both teams battled hard and fast until half time but it remained 1-1 at the break.

In the second half, Pewsey lost Jude Cawley due to injury and young Jack Cady was introduced. Pewsey won a free kick outside the Supermarine goal area. Pewsey's Tom Plank lofted his free kick to the back post of the Supermarine goal where it was met by Harry Field with a thunderous header to put Pewsey in the lead again. Pewsey stayed in the lead until 15 mins from time. A Swindon Supermarine’s player made a mazy run through some tiring legs in the Pewsey defence and his shot was just out of the reach of Pewsey's keeper Ben King. The game was tight in the final minutes with both teams having chances to take the lead. In the final minute of the game Pewsey lost their attacker Tom Holdstock, with what looks like ruptured knee ligaments..... we wish him a speedy recovery.

Penalties were then needed to decide matters. With four out of the five nominated penalties being scored by both teams the shootout then went to sudden death, both teams finding the back of the net until the ninth penalty. Pewsey hit the post with theirs, which put the pressure on Supermarine to score, which they did to take the cup.

Well done to Pewsey Vale on making the final, penalties are always a cruel way to lose a cup final but the youngsters from Pewsey can be proud of their efforts in this prestigious competition in Season 2021-22.

It was a very good week for AFC Aldermaston Under 18s. They started the week with their penultimate league fixture of the season against Melksham Town on Tuesday night. For Melksham Town it was their final league fixture of the season having already guaranteed third spot in the table. Whilst a home fixture for Aldermaston, the game was actually played at Melksham Town as a result of a mix-up on the original scheduling of the game which had seen the whole of the Melksham squad, parents and management travel to Aldermaston for a game that had already been postponed earlier that day. Aldermaston did not let the loss of home advantage impact them as they returned with all three points following a 2-1-win, the victory coming courtesy of an injury time winner from Billy Rampton. With the 90 minutes up the scores remained level at one apiece, the goals being scored by Alermaston’s Finley Dove and Melksham’s Archie Haggerty. However, Rampton popped up to score the winner right at the end to deny Melksham a share of the spoils and inflict their fifth straight defeat in all competitions. It was the third consecutive game that Rampton had found the net. The win saw AFC Aldermaston move above Radstock Town into fourth place in the table with the two sides set to meet in Aldermaston’s final league game on April 11^th.

AFC Aldermaston were back in action just two days later with another lengthy trip, this time to the Gerard Buxton Ground in a Group A cup fixture against Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Aldermaston went ahead through Dan Seandes but the home side were back on level terms at the break thanks to a well taken Euan Spackman goal. However, a stunning strike from distance from Ryan Smith put Aldermaston back in front and they then capitalised on a goalkeeping error, Billy Rampton accepting the gift that came his way to put the game beyond their hosts with his eighth of the season as they ran out 3-1 winners and returned to the top of the Group A table. They are two points clear of second placed Calne Town with two group games to go for both sides. Royal Wootton Bassett Town sit back in third place, five points behind the leaders with a game in hand and will probably need to win all three of their remaining games to have any chance of reaching the final.

In Group B league champions Devizes Town retained their 100% winning start to their cup group games with a 4-1 away win at Pewsey Vale who fielded a number of 16-year olds in their line-up. Pewsey had gone close in last Friday’s FA Youth Cup, eventually being defeated on penalties after it had finished 2-2 against Swindon Supermarine. They were once again competitive against the champions but in the end Devizes had just a little too much on the night and returned to Nursteed Road with all three points. Goals from Danny Bowyer, Harvey Swain and Caleb Hollow put Devizes 3-0 to the good before Jude Cawley then pulled one back from the penalty spot for Pewsey. Hollow then ended any Pewsey hopes of getting back into the game when he scored his second of the match to make it 4-1 to Devizes.

Melksham Town finally ended their miserable run of defeats on Thursday night as they shared four goals and the points in another Group B cup fixture with Radstock Town. This was Radstock’s first game in the competition but for Melksham that is now just one point from their opening three games making it very unlikely that they will make the final. On target for Melksham in the 2-2 draw were Tom Dowell and a first for the club from Paul Cronin, Tom Hobbs and a first of the season from Joshua Singtothong for Radstock Town.

There was a full programme of games in the Under 18 Cup competition this week and in Group A, AFC Aldermaston put themselves within touching distance of the final when they avenged the only defeat they have suffered in the competition so far, winning away at Calne Town on Thursday night. However, they left it very late. Trailing to a first half goal from Calne’s Harrison Sartin, Billy Rampton continued his recent good form in front of goal scoring an equaliser a minute from time, netting for the fifth consecutive game. It got even better for AFC Aldermaston when, deep into injury time, Muhaimin Shah popped up with a winner for the visitors. The victory means that AFC Aldermaston now need to avoid defeat in their game on Monday night against Royal Wootton Basset Town  to secure their place in the final. Royal Wootton Bassett Town know they must win on Monday night and then also win their final game against New College if they are to pip AFC Aldermaston to that place in the final.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town set up Monday’s big decider with a 4-2 away win at New College Swindon. Royal Wootton Bassett Town led 4-0 at the break thanks to two goals from Jowan Partridge plus one each from Zane Pinnock and Kevin Prouse, Prouse taking his total for the season to eleven, Baafour Acheampong and Denis Nae with the New College goals in the second half.

In Group B Devizes Town lost their 100% winning start in the cup when they were held to a 0-0 draw in a game of limited chances for either side. Having lost three times previously to the league champions Melksham Town would have been pleased with their point on the night even though their chances of prgressing in the up competition were effectively ended. Whilst Devizes lost that perfect winning start to the cup campaign, they are now unbeaten in eight games in all competitions and their two fixtures with Radstock Town will probably now decide who progresses from Group B.

Radstock Town moved to within three points of Devizes at the top of the group with a game in hand following a 3-0 home win over Pewsey Vale. Daniel Orford put them 1-0 up just after the half hour mark and Thomas Hobbs extended the lead on the hour. A second from Orford ten minutes from time made sure of the three points for Radstock.

There were three games this week in the Under 18 cup competition. Monday night saw AFC Aldermaston looking to avoid defeat against Royal Wootton Bassett Town to secure their place as the representative from Group A in the cup final. A win for Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Monday would have seen them pip AFC Aldermaston if they could then also defeat New College Swindon in their final game. A goal from Adam Keating in the first ten minutes and a second from Michael Simpson five minutes of time seemingly to seal all three points, meant it looked like AFC Aldermaston would continue their habit in the cup of winning games with late goals. However, a late rally from Royal Wootton Bassett Town saw them score twice in the closing minutes of the match through Jowan Partridge and Kevin Prouse, but the visitors were unable to find a third and the draw was enough to send AFC Aldermaston through to the cup final. Well done to Adam Page and his players on making the final.

AFC Aldermaston’s opponents in the final will be either league champions Devizes Town or Radstock Town after they both picked up hard fought wins against Pewsey Vale and Melksham Town respectively. At Radstock Town the home side saw themselves down to ten men and trailing 2-0 to goals from Melksham Town’s Reuban Rule and Kegan Smart but two goals from Ollie Thomas and one from Leo Miller saw Radstock achieve a come from behind win and maintain their chance of making the final. Radstock will go level at the top of the group with Devizes Town if they win their game in hand next week against Pewsey Vale.



Devizes Town were at home to Pewsey Vale on Thursday night and captain Joseph Muir gave them a 1-0 half time lead. The visitors got themselves back on level terms after the break, Ben England firing in his sixth goal of the season. Just as it looked as though Devizes would be held to a draw for the second consecutive game, Jack Smith produced a great finish after being put through one-on-one with the keeper. The late goal from Smith was his 16^th of the season and saw him move level with his teammate Caleb Hollow at the top of the goal scoring chart. Devizes now have two games against Radstock to complete their group games and these two fixtures will decide who joins AFC Aldermaston in the final.

Both games on Thursday night were blighted by reports of misbehaviour, although it must be stressed not amongst any of the players during the games. Hopefully this will prove to be a one off and not spoil what has been a competitive and enjoyable Under 18 league and cup competition this season.

There were three Under 18 games this week, two in the Cup and one in the league. The league match was on Monday night at AFC Aldermaston where the two sides competing for fourth place in the table were up against each other with Radstock Town the visitors. AFC Aldermaston were playing their final league game of the season and knew that a win would guarantee them that fourth place finish with a point separating the two sides at the start of play. They went in front through a Tommy Barnard goal, his first of the season, Barnard heading in at the far post from a Ben Luckett free kick. However, Radstock Town equalised to ensure it remained as you were in terms of the league standings but now with Radstock Town knowing that a win in their final game against Pewsey Vale would secure them that fourth spot.

Ironically Radstock Town were playing Pewsey Vale in Group B of the Cup competition on Thursday night and a late goal from Ben Hayward, his third of the season, secured a 1-0 win for Pewsey putting a serious dent in Radstock’s chances of making the final. However, it will still come down to the two matches between Radstock Town and Devizes Town to see who makes it through to play AFC Aldermaston in the final. Aldermaston will be hoping that Pewsey can repeat Thursday night’s win when they play in the league game between Radstock and Pewsey on 12^th May.

In Group A of the Cup competition two sides simply playing for pride with the finalist already decided were New College Swindon and Calne Town. The game served up five goals and the first cup points for New College in the competition. On target for New College were Obinna Nwoke, Lewis Newcombe and an own goal, Leo Bounds and an eleventh goal of the season from Harrison Dunsden replying for Calne. Calne have now completed their fixtures for the season, whilst New College have one more to go against Royal Wootton Bassett Town.

Action this week in the Under 18s saw just two games played, both in Group B of the Under 18 Cup competition. The game that mattered in terms of the final standings was at Radstock Town where Devizes Town were the visitors. Goals from Tyler Moore and Caleb Hollow saw Devizes secure a 2-0 win which ensures it will be they who progress to the final from Group B where they will meet Group A winners AFC Aldermaston. For Devizes that is now ten games unbeaten in all competitions, eight of which have been won. Details of the date and venue for the final will be announced shortly.

The other game on Thursday night was at Melksham Town where the home side and Pewsey Vale both knew they were unable to progress any further in the competition due to earlier results in the group games. Having lost at Pewsey earlier in the cup competition, Melksham avenged that defeat with a 2-0 win at the Oakfield Stadium to record their first win in the competition, Tom Dowell scoring both Melksham goals. The three points for Melksham made no difference to either side’s final standing in Group B.

League champions Devizes Town U18 with the league trophy

Whilst the finalists were already decided ahead of last night’s games there was still one game to complete in each of the two cup groups.

In Group A, Royal Wootton Bassett Town consolidated their second place finish in the group with a 3-0 home win over New College Swindon thanks to goals from Charlie Stammers, Harry Farrow and a 13^th of the season from leading scorer Kevin Prouse. The win for the home side meant they had won all four games between the two sides this season.

It was a similar story in Group B where Devizes Town continued their domination of the group with their fourth victory over Radstock Town this season, although it was a tight affair in this latest meeting, the game being decided by a solitary goal from Devizes’ Dan Bowyer, his sixth of the campaign. Devizes finished unbeaten in their group, some nine points clear of Radstock who finished second. Devizes will now meet AFC Aldermaston in the final at Corsham Town a week on Saturday, 7^th May kick-off at 3.00PM. Well done to all eight teams for getting all the group games in the cup competition played in such a timely fashion.

Ahead of last night’s game Devizes were presented with the League winners’ trophy and individual player trophies and are now 11 games unbeaten in all competitions, the last side to defeat them…. AFC Aldermaston. It should be an interesting cup final in just over a week’s time.

There was just the one game played in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League this week and it saw Radstock Town secure a fourth-place finish with a comfortable 5-0 away win at Pewsey Vale. Having lost on both their two most recent visits to Pewsey, Radstock were determined not to slip up again against the side at the bottom of the table and a hat-trick from Thomas Hobbs and two from Ollie Thomas ensured they returned with all three points. The win was enough to take them above AFC Aldermaston in the final table and achieve their highest finishing position since joining the league, although they had also been fourth at the time the season was curtailed in 2019-20. There is now just the one league fixture to finish the division, that takes place next Thursday when Pewsey entertain league champions Devizes Town. Whilst nothing is at stake for Devizes, a win for Pewsey would take them off the bottom of the table.

Before that final league game Devizes Town have the little matter of a cup final tomorrow when they meet AFC Aldermaston at Corsham Town’s Southbank Ground, the traditional venue for our cup finals for what will be the second staging of an Under 18 Cup competition by the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League. The current cup holders are New College, Swindon who defeated Calne Town 3-2 in the Season 2018-19 final, in what was a very entertaining game. Covid has prevented any further cup competitions until now. Hopefully the two sides tomorrow will provide us with another cup final to remember. We are as ever most grateful to Corsham Town for hosting this final, particularly given its late staging when a lot of grass pitches have already been decommissioned for summer maintenance work.

The League Directors, Officers and Management Committee would like to congratulate both AFC Aldermaston and Devizes Town on reaching the final and thank all the teams in the Under 18 Division for completing all the group games in the cup in such short order. The two finalists are both in their first season in the Under 18 Division. Devizes Town, in particular, have had a fantastic first season in the league, being crowned the Under 18 Division champions as well as making it through to the cup final. Devizes still have that one league game to go against Pewsey Vale but are currently two points clear of runners-up Royal Wootton Bassett Town and that could become five with a win against Pewsey. Devizes lost just twice all season in the league and were unbeaten in their group games in the cup competition, winning five of their six fixtures. Interestingly one of those league defeats came against their cup final opponents, with AFC Aldermaston winning 2-1 back in November. AFC Aldermaston have finished in fifth place in the table and made the final by losing just once in their group games, including winning all three away games.

So, for both clubs it has been a successful season in what has been a very competitive Under 18 Division, with most games being close run affairs with little between the teams. In the end Devizes Town had that little bit extra which allowed them to take the title and also make the cup final with the chance of a league and cup double being achieved this weekend. They come into the final on the back of an eleven-game unbeaten run, nine of which have been won, their last defeat being that league fixture at AFC Aldermaston. However, AFC Aldermaston are also on an unbeaten run which has seen them go six games without defeat, and it should be a close-run thing in the final. The kick-off tomorrow is 3PM and best of luck to both teams.

Corsham Town’s Southbank Ground, the traditional venue for cup finals in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League, was the venue for what was the second staging of an Under 18 Cup competition. The last final had been back in 2019 when New College, Swindon had defeated Calne Town 3-2 in the final, in what had been a very entertaining game. Covid had prevented any further cup competitions until today’s encounter between AFC Aldermaston and league champions Devizes Town.

Both teams came into the game in good form. League champions Devizes Town came into the final on the back of an eleven-game unbeaten run, nine of which have been won, their last defeat being a league fixture against their opponents in the final AFC Aldermaston. However, AFC Aldermaston were also on an unbeaten run which has seen them go six games without defeat and the final was expected be a close game and so it proved.

On a warm sunny afternoon at the Southbank Ground the first half was a cagey affair with both sides’ defences cancelling each other out. That said both sides created a number of half chances. Five minutes in Devizes centre forward Jack Smith created a shot for himself from the edge of the box but his effort was well saved by Jamie Morris in the Aldermaston goal. Four minutes later AFC Aldermaston had their first chance of the game with the award of a free kick on the edge of the box after a foul on Adam Keating. Ben Luckett stepped up to take the free kick, but his shot was fired straight into the wall and the danger was cleared.

Devizes striker Jack Smith was starting to cause the Aldermaston defence problems with his pace, and it was from one of his runs down the left which saw him play a ball into the box to Arlo Stone but Stone’s shot went just wide of the post. As well as Smith’s pace, Devizes had Jack Farion starting to boss the midfield area and with 23 minutes on the clock he created a chance for himself, but his powerfully hit shot was well held by Morris in the Aldermaston goal. Devizes continued to have the better of things and with 30 minutes on the clock the ball fell to Smith on the edge of the area following a corner, but he fired well over, and the game remained without a goal.

As the half wore on Aldermaston started to have the better of things and ten minutes before the break Finnley Dove fired into the side netting after some neat inter-play between Ben Luckett and Jack Wilson. A minute before the interval it looked like Aldermaston might get behind the Devizes defence, a through ball from Ryan Smith found Adam Keating but his powerful run into the box saw him beat a couple of defenders but, in the end, there was just one too many defenders to navigate and he was dispossessed without being able to get a shot away. Devizes then went down the other end and right on the stroke of half time had claims for a penalty with an alleged hand ball in the box but the Devizes claims were waved away by referee Rhiannon Stevens who was having an excellent game. It had been a tight first half of limited clear-cut chances and the two sides turned around with the game still looking for its first goal.

The two teams came out for the second half looking to push for the opener, and it was not long before that elusive first goal came. In the very first attack of the half Devizes went close to breaking the deadlock, a break down the left saw Fraser Blake hit a pinpoint cross which found Caleb Hollow in the six-yard box, but his header lacked power and direction and went wide of the post. The deadlock was finally broken on 52 minutes, and when the goal came it was from a set piece, as Aldermaston captain Jacob Wilson powerfully headed in from a corner to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Having gone behind Devizes sought to up their game and just before the hour mark a chip over the top from Arlo Stone found Caleb Hollow on the edge of the box, Hollow, who has scored some spectacular goals from distance this season, decided to take his shot on the volley and unfortunately did not connect with it right and it flew well over. Devizes continued to press for an equaliser and a ball over the top found Jack Smith clear of the Aldermaston back line, but his shot was cleared for a corner. The resulting corner saw Smith rise above the Aldermaston defence but frustratingly for his side his header was deflected for another Devizes corner. It was not all one-way traffic though as Aldermaston continued to create chances of their own. On 68 minutes Dan Sandes fed a pass into Finnley Dove but unfortunately for Aldermaston Dove’s shot went well wide of the post and they were unable to extend their lead.

Devizes finally got themselves back on level terms 20 minutes from time, Danny Bowyer seeing his effort from the edge of the box loop over Morris in the Aldermaston goal and nestle in the net to make it 1-1. Devizes now had their tails up and nearly scored a second almost straight away, the ball being fed into Jack Smith who was one-on-one with Morris, but the Aldermaston keeper was quick off his line and pulled off another great save to deny Smith. Morris was again called into action in the 79^th minute, Jack Farion setting up Caleb Hollow but again the Aldermaston keeper was quickly out and deflected the ball away for a corner. Three minutes later Morris again denied Devizes the lead, this time a shot from Danny Bowyer from the edge of the box was turned round the post. Devizes continued to press for that second goal, Jack Smith heading just over from a corner but you could sense a goal was coming. It arrived a minute later and what a goal it was. Devizes’ Toby Baker cutting in from the left flank hit a superb curling shot that sailed into the top far corner of the net to give Devizes the lead for the first time in the game and Baker his first goal of the season.

Aldermaston sought to respond and had a couple of corners but were unable to create any chances of note and Devizes saw out the closing moments of the game to secure a league and cup double in what had been another excellent Under 18 cup final. The game had been played in a really sporting manner by both sides and had been well officiated by Rhiannon Stevens and her two assistants Colin Hopkins and Sam Pinches. Congratulations to Devizes Town from all at the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League on both their cup success and the double. Commiserations to Aldermaston who had played their part in producing an entertaining afternoon of football for the sizeable crowd at the Southbank Ground. We are as ever most grateful to Corsham Town for hosting this final, particularly given its late staging when a lot of grass pitches have already been decommissioned for summer maintenance work.

Devizes Town manager David Moore was obviously delighted after the game noting:

“It has been a fantastic season and the boys have done really well. They have been a fantastic group of lads both on and off the pitch and deserve everything they have achieved this season.”

“It is pleasing to note that four or five have progressed to the first team this season as well and all but two of the squad will still be available to play in the Under 18 Division again next season.”

Moore also noted that part of the key to their success has been to give each member of the squad sixty minutes playing time each game, something they have always done as they have come up through the various age groups in Youth football. Moore noted:

“That approach has carried us through a number of games this season in the Under 18 Division, having such a balanced squad has helped us see out games and secure some late goals.”

Moore’s final comment of the afternoon was to praise his opponents in the final:

“Congratulations to Adam and his side for making the final and giving us such a tough game this afternoon, they played their part in what was a tremendous game of football.”

To view the matchday programme for the Season 2021-22 U18 Cup Final click on the image of the programme.

The final league game of the 2021-22 Season in the Under 18 Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League took place on Thursday night when the side who were bottom of the table at the start of the night, Pewsey Vale, played the league champions and cup winners Devizes Town. Pewsey went into the game knowing that a win over the champions would see them move off the bottom above New College Swindon. Whilst Devizes went into the game on the back of a 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions, 10 of which had been won, they had been made to work hard for all three points in the recent cup group game against Pewsey, eventually edging it 2-1 and were anticipating another competitive game.

Close games has also been a key feature of league games this season in the Under 18 Division with 27 of the 55 league games played before Thursday’s encounter either been drawn (6 games) or settled by a single goal margin (21). The crowd at the Recreation Ground witnessed another entertaining game. A powerful shot and first goal of the season from Charles Bibby gave Devizes the lead but Pewsey were back on level terms before the break, Harry Field scoring at the back post from a perfectly placed free kick from Tom Plank to take his total for the season to four. The second half saw Harvey Swain restore Devizes advantage with his sixth goal of the campaign but an excellent finish from Jude Cawley saw the two sides share the points following a 2-2 draw. The point for Pewsey saw them move level on points with New College and with FA rules for Under 18 competitions not allowing goal difference to be used to separate teams Pewsey and New College finished in joint seventh position in what has been an excellent season in the Under 18s. The draw also meant that exactly half of the 56 games had now either been drawn or won by a single goal margin highlighting the competitiveness of the division this season.