YOUTH FOOTBALL: WILTSHIRE under 18s clinched the South West Counties Championship title on Saturday with a comprehensive victory over main rivals Gloucestershire at Corsham Town.

Chippenham Town striker Gary Banks got the hosts off to a dream start in their crucial last group game when he fired into the top corner to put his side in front.

Banks, who has netted 17 times for the Bluebirds youth team this year, was again instrumental as Wiltshire doubled their lead on the half hour, the young striker's header hitting a Gloucestershire defender and crossing the line for an own goal.

Defender James Highmore, also of Chippenham Town, put the game beyond the beleaguered visitors when he headed home a Paul Traies corner in the 55th minute.

Gloucestershire seldom looked like the side who had defeated much-fancied Cornwall the week before and fell further behind when Devizes Town midfielder Ashton Turner scored the goal of the game with ten minutes left.

Wiltshire boss Mel Gingell, who took the managerial reins last summer, was delighted with his players after their championship triumph.

He said: "They were brilliant. They have played well this year, but Saturday was the best I have ever seen the boys play. They just get better and better. We've started from scratch in the summer and it has gone brilliantly. I just wish the national competition was starting now because we are so strong.

"It was the icing on the cake to win something.

"The boys were over the moon, as were all the members of the Wiltshire FA. It is something that puts Wiltshire on the map."

Gingell felt Banks' goal inside the first minute had set the tone for the rest of the game.

He said: "I've never seen a goal go in as quickly as that. It was a dream start. They were a big, physical side, but we were just better than them football-wise. I never expected us to win 4-0, but I think getting off to a start like that hits other teams for six."

Wiltshire's only setback in their five-game South West Counties Championship campaign came with a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Gwent in February.

Said Gingell: "We've only had the one hiccup and I blame myself for that. It was wrong to give a few of the reserve players a game and I won't make that mistake again.

"That's the only time I haven't played my strongest side. We should have gone through it unbeaten and it was my fault we didn't.

"But we got over it and haven't conceded a goal in any of our other games. That is a real bonus. The back four haven't looked like conceding and the young Melksham keeper Jason Grubb is an outstanding talent."

The fringe players in the Wiltshire squad had the chance to impress their manager in a friendly against Guernsey at Salisbury City last night.

The clash was to be the under 18's last before their Southern Counties Final against South East champions Hampshire, to be held at Melksham Town at the beginning of May.

Gingell is looking to add the overall Southern crown to the South West title his side secured at the weekend.

He said: "It is another step for us to take. It will take a very good side to beat these boys now they have gelled together."

Just two members of the existing squad will remain next season, with the vast majority looking to win places in the under 21's line up.

Gingell believes the crop of players he has helped nurture can become part of a successful Wiltshire senior side in future years.

He said: "It will be terrible for me when it all breaks up in the summer, but at least the foundations are there for a strong senior team later on.

"That's all part of the job and, if they come through together, I think we'll have a Wiltshire side that can compete at senior level again."