Chippenham Sunday League returns with three cup competitions

It’s almost four months since any competitive football was last played in the league, and on that day back in December many of the scheduled cup matches were lost to waterlogged pitches, so Sunday began with clubs playing catch up in both the Knockout Cup and WG Parr Trophy.

AFC Melksham who were the beaten finalists in the AM Print & Copy sponsored Knockout Cup in 2019 lived up to their favourites tag as the claimed a hard fought 2-1 victory over first division Royal Oak, however the result of the morning was at the Jubilee Field, Bromham where the hosts upset the formbook courtesy of their 4-0 triumph over FC Pilot.

Again their guests who had netted and incredible 35 goals in 5 matches prior to lockdown, Bromham started the game as underdogs, but turned on the style to send Pilot into the Subsidiary Cup rather than the quarter-final stages of the Knockout Cup that they would have expected. Charlie Street put Bromham 1-0 up after tapping in the rebound from a well saved penalty by the Pilot keeper. Leading 1-0 at the break the villagers expected a second half onslaught from their free scoring guests, however and despite the hosts soaking up a lot of pressure with the defenders putting in a fine performance. A brace from Luke Child and a well taken goal from Jaime Hall saw Bromham run out deserved winners with the final score being 4-0.

On paper the tie between AFC Melksham and Royal Oak looked as if the top flight side would run riot, however it was anything but a one-sided affair as Royal Oak played their part in a closely contested cup tie that Melksham edged 2-1. In what was a tight affair Chris O’Donovan kicked off the scoring for the Oak men with a well take solo goal midway into the first half. AFC Melksham come back into the game just before the half time whistle with a great strike from Ashley Fletcher to make the score 1-1. The game was evenly balanced until an unfortunate own goal by Jake Duckett settled it for the home side. Royal Oak couldn’t find a way back into the tie and the game eventually finished in favour AFC Melksham.

With their pitch at Lacock unavailable, FC Lacock switched their knockout cup tie to the home of opponents’ fellow premier division stablemates Forest Community Centre. Lacock controlled the tie from the off and should have scored more than the four goals that they did. Keiron Gleed single and a brilliant hat trick from Billy Gleed secured their 4-0 success.

First division, Old Road reached the final of the RP Clarke Sheds & Fencing sponsored WG Parr Trophy last season, but due to Covid19 were unable to compete in what would have been their first ever league final, so the Chippenham based side were looking for a repeat of that feat. Against second division opponents Misfits, Will Green’s side edged a sensational 5 goal thriller.

Sam Van Weenan with a brace and Seamus Mooney was also on the scoresheet for the victors who were 3-0 up at the break, while Kieran Tarrant and Darren Applegate replied for the Misfits who despite their best efforts could conjure up an equaliser.

A 5-1 victory for first division Chippenham Icons saw them claim the scalp of the premier division Corsham Wildcats, on paper, the Wildcats look to be the top dogs, however a goal each from Robbie Burton, Jack Brain and Rich Hudson plus a couple for Ryan Nichols saw the Icons upset the odds. Zac Hillier replied for the Wildcats.

Warminster Athletic got off to a winning start in Group D of the Gooding Accounts sponsored Subsidiary Cup. Athletic were awarded the tie with a 3-0 score line after opponents Spratak Rudloe were unable to raise a team for the competition opener.