JOHN Loftus this week slammed the organisation of the Wiltshire League after Warminster Town played their 20th game of the season on Saturday.

The Warminster stalwart watched his side defeat Shrewton United Reserves 2-1 in the Premier Division at home but is unhappy at the amount of games they have been forced to play already, leaving them only 14 matches left for the remainder of the season.

Loftus has held various positions at the club, including vice-chairman and secretary, and although he currently holds no official position at the club he is still heavily involved.

He said: "The league don't know whether they are coming or going.

"We played eight games in August and I think we only have four more home games left this season, so where is the finance going to come from?

"Some teams have only played 10 or 12 games so why the imbalance? We have got great facilities, floodlights and a good pitch so why have we been made to play more games than everyone else.

"I really don't see why we have had to play so many games so early in the season. There is no need and it just makes a bit of a mockery of things."

Jim Thorn, secretary of the Wiltshire League, said: "We always try to get as many games as possible played when the weather is good.

"We certainly have no intention for one club to play more games than any other.

"Warminster Town have probably played more games than anyone else because they are their first team whereas other teams in the Wiltshire League are reserve sides and so their pitch is always available. If we get the games in early then hopefully we won't have a big rush at the end of the season."

John Jenks gave Shrewton the lead early in the match on Saturday but the hosts were soon level through striker Stuart Beggs' first goal of the season.

The home side continued to have the edge in the second half and scored the winner on 65 minutes, when a free kick by Tom Baxter appeared to have been saved by the keeper but the official signalled the ball had crossed the goal line before being cleared.

Warminster entertain Biddestone tomorrow.

Soggy conditions played havoc with the league programme on Saturday, with more than half of the scheduled fixtures postponed.

One Premier Division game that did go ahead was at Cricklade where the home side were held to a 2-2 draw by visitors Aldbourne.

After three weeks without a league game, Cricklade started well and it was no surprise when Ian Ross put them ahead.

With a blustery wind behind them the home side had several chances to increase their lead before a dangerous looking free-kick by Darren Woodfield across the face of the Cricklade goal was converted by James Cornfield to level 10 minutes before the break.

Once again, the home side started well in the second half and striker Ross was again on hand to regain the lead for his side.

However, midway through the half the sides were level again when Aldbourne were awarded a penalty and Daniel Morton converted.

In the closing stages, the home side had a goal ruled out for offside and missed a couple of good chances as they pushed forward looking for the winner.

But Aldbourne boss Pete Orsi was pleased with the point and said: "I thought it was a fair result in wet and windy conditions and I'm quite happy to have come away with a point."

Cricklade manager Graham Jackson thought his side looked a bit rusty at times and said: "You have got to take your chances in this game. After we had gone one up I thought we let them back into the game."

Purton Reserves beat bottom club Malmesbury Vics 5-0 but made heavy weather of it in the first 45 minutes, going in just one goal up courtesy of Simon Pugh.

Some half-time readjustments by manager Ian Restell seemed to do the trick, with Pugh adding a second after 70 minutes and Alan Webb, Mark McMeeking and Toby Clarke all scoring in the last 10 minutes.

In Junior Division One, Wanborough United beat Cricklade Town Reserves 5-1, despite playing most of the game with 10 men.

Westside returned to form, beating visitors Sherston 4-1, Ian Pickering, Chris McConnell and John Webb netting first half goals and Webb scoring a fourth in the last five minutes.

In Junior Divison Two, just two games defied the elements, with Green beating Blyskawica 2-1 and QT Swindon gaining a 3-2 success over Westside Reserves.