LEAGUE'S WHITE-HOT START

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Tuesday 7th Sep 2004.

The second season of the league kicked off on a scorcher of a day, the weather being more suited to the cricket season than football.

The league was extremely pleased that 44 of the scheduled 55 fixtures went ahead on a weekend that is notorious for postponements, as teams struggle to get ready for the big kick-off.

What was even more pleasing was the fact that the league was able to cover more than 50 per cent of these games with official referees, a fantastic achievement given the overall shortage of match officials.

Under 17

This season the division has a mixture of under 16 and under 17 teams and the season kicked off with the A and B teams from both Stratton Juniors and Wootton Bassett Town meeting up.

In the Stratton derby it was the B side, last year's all-conquering under 15s, who came out on top 4-2 thanks to goals from Michael Scarff, Rory Sproule, James Baldwin and Tim Hall.

The two Bassett sides met at Rylands Way and it was the A side who triumphed, again by 4-2. Tom James hit a hat-trick for the A side, with Wayne Matthews adding a fourth. Tom Wakeley and Rob Curtis getting the goals for the B side.

Shaw look to have a strong side again and will no doubt be pushing the likes of Stratton Juniors and Liden Community for the title.

They got their season off to a fine start with a 7-3 home win over Brunel Boys. The goalscorers in this one were Dan Hiscocks (2), Bruno Pileggi (2), Craig Kent, Adam Legg and Jed Evans.

Fairford did not win a game all last season but were celebrating first time out this time round as they beat Blunsdon 8-2 away.

Sherbourne Harriers, another side who struggled last time out, got their season off with a bang with a 6-0 home win over Swindon Badgers.

Under 15 Division 1

Two fixtures were postponed due to sides being unable to raise sides.

Of the three games that did take place, treble winners from last season, Westbrook, carried on where they left off, winning 4-1 away at Wootton Bassett.

Shaun Harris put them in front on the half-hour mark with a powerful shot from 20 yards. Bassett then hit the crossbar through Phil Tearle and Tom Marchment just failed to net with the rebound.

Westbrook extended their lead within a minute of the restart when Matt Hobbs' strength allowed him to get the better of the Bassett defence and fire in an unstoppable shot.

The score remained 2-0 for much of the second period, with Westbrook dominating most of the play but failing to create any clear-cut chances.

With 12 minutes to go Bassett gave themselves hope when Tom Marchment got behind the Westbrook defence and fired in off the far post.

Eight minutes from time Hobbs restored Westbrook's two-goal cushion and Guy Whinfrey added a fourth a minute from the final whistle.

Wroughton A have strengthened their squad and got their season off to a winning start with a 4-2 home victory over Fairford.

Fairford scored what was probably the quickest goal of the day when they took the lead after 28 seconds. It came after two shots were stopped by Wroughton's defence, but on the third attempt Matty Brunt found the net with a superb strike.

Shell-shocked for 10 minutes, Wroughton then began to play some good football with Sean Bailey pulling all the strings, and they equalised on 15 minutes through Adam Burson.

Five minutes later Wroughton went ahead, Burson again the scorer. Fairford were struggling and Wroughton took advantage and scored a third just before the break, Burson completing his hat-trick.

The second half saw Fairford start brightly and within 15 minutes of the restart they had got one back, again through Brunt.

With 15 minutes to go. Wroughton found the back of Fairford's net to seal the victory, Burson once again the scorer.

In the other match played, Eastville Boys and Malmesbury shared six goals at the Red Bull, Ashley Bryant, Michael Collinson and Adam Wickson the scorers for the home side.

Under 15 Division 2

Eldene Colts triumphed in the local derby against Liden Community. Both sides were playing their first game in the North Wilts League and Eldene eventually ran out 14-0 winners thanks to goals from Daniel Keene (8) and two apiece from Callum Dunn, Ben Baker and Jamie Hamill.

Walcot Wanderers were also among the goals, winning 7-1 at home against Shaw. The prolific Zig Wardale led the way with two, Jack Lumbsden also hit a brace, and there was one apiece for Azmol Ali, James Stares and Nick Mitchell.

Ramsbury and Blunsdon Colts shared six goals, while Cricklade Youth scored the only goal of the game to defeat Kingsdown United.

Wroughton B made it a double success for their under 15 sides with a 5-2 home win over Lydiard Youth.

After an even first 20 minutes, Wroughton took the lead with two strikes from Paul Wiltshire.

Lydiard hit back in the second half to equalise. Elliot Jill then scored the best goal of the match, running from his own half past several defenders to score. Oli Matthews made it 4-2 before Wiltshire completed his hat-trick and Wroughton's fifth.

Under 14

Eastville Boys got their season off in style with a comfortable 6-0 win over Shrivenham & Watchfield.

Bradley Williams got the home side on their way, and further goals from George Drewitt (2), Saxon Sheppard (2) and Matthew Twine gave Eastville all three points.

AFC Barbury got their season off to a good start with a 3-1 home win over Wootton Bassett Town, Dan Franklin with two and Alex Conn doing the damage.

Goals from Steven Smart and Richard Sheppard gave Ferndale Rodbourne a winning start away at Highworth Juniors B.

Westlea Wanderers won by a similar scoreline at home against Shaw. Shaw took a well-deserved lead mid way through the first half courtesy of Daryl Charman and were holding their own against last season's Division 1 champions.

However, Westlea equalised through Sam English just before half-time to set up an exciting second period.

Both teams had chances to take the lead before Westlea went 2-1 ahead via English following a defensive mix-up with 10 minutes to go.

Although Shaw pushed for an equaliser they squandered their chances to level in a thrilling end to end game that was a credit to the league.

In the other match in the division, Croft Juniors went quickly into a 2-0 lead through James McMurray and Callum Finnegan and then another headed goal from McMurray from a wonderful cross by Dominic Gregorace made it three.

Peter Walker pulled one back for the visitors just before half-time. Fairford came back very strongly in the second half and put Croft under a lot of pressure and it was no surprise when Eddie Jones scored, but Croft managed to hold on to take three valuable points.

Under 13 Division 1

There were goals galore in the top division of this age group, with 49 goals in the five matches played.

A classic encounter at Ferndale saw Ferndale Rodbourne defeat Lydiard Youth 9-7.

Jordan McGovern led the way with five goals, Nathan Gambling and Gianluca Costabile adding a brace each.

Title favourites Amesbury Sports ran out comfortable 8-2 winners against Old Town United A. Their scorers were Harvey Coker (2), Sam Aldridge (2), Tewi Te-Pou (2), plus further strikes from Lloyd Barr and Steven Holvey. Dean Hobbis and Kristian Scott scored for Old Town.

Two goals from Kieran Cochrane, plus one for Kristian Trimble were enough to secure all three points for Malmesbury.

Wroughton beat Old Town United B with a goal from Samuel Keenan.

After losing their manager and virtually their whole team in the weeks leading up to the start of the season, Wootton Bassett Town secured a result by just fielding a side against Shaw.

Their opponents featured three of Bassett's players from last season. Bassett took the lead in the first minute when former player Jordan Embling was disposed on the edge of the box and Martyn Plaistow fired the home side in front.

This was as good as it got for Bassett as the visitors overpowered them, scoring 18 times without reply.

Luke Underwood and former Bassett player Craig Mooney hit five goals each, Ben Snook helped himself to a hat-trick, Sam Jackson and Alfie Passingham hit a brace while Ben Langley also netted in the rout.

To their credit Bassett kept going and had a couple of chances in the closing stages of the match.

Under 13 Division 2

Ferndale Rodbourne was definitely the place to be for goals as the home side shared 11 with Blunsdon Colts.

Ferndale ­ despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half ­ eventually winning 6-5, courtesy of goals from Jamie Clark (2), Sam Sundberg, James Clifford, Steven Batty and Sebasiano Sorrenti, the latter a strike from the half-way line.

Greenmeadow and Liden Community shared eight goals, Lee Horgan (2), Ryan Merchant and Paul Jeffries the scorers for Greenmeadow.

In the other game played, Stratton Juniors ran out comfortable 5-0 winners at Purton.

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