Western League is ready to come back
The Toolstation Western League will resume fixtures on Saturday. The announcement was made last Wednesday by the league in order to give clubs sufficient time to prepare after the decision had been taken following the successful completion of nine FA Vase matches and a number of friendly games. The league says it wants to facilitate clubs being able to play, but recognises this cannot be a free-forall.
The league also recognises that many clubs in Tier 3 have indicated that they are not prepared to play at home without spectators. In light of that, Western League clubs in Tier 3 who have a match against a club in Tier 2 have been given the opportunity to play that match, be it home or away, provided that both clubs agree.
This agreement must be sent via email seven days in advance of the match day, otherwise the match will be considered as postponed.
If both clubs are in Tier 2 then the League will expect the match to go ahead. However, in the event that clubs have reasons why this cannot happen, they are being invited to contact the league outlining those reasons. Once all clubs are in tier 2 then the league will continue as per normal.
The FA have made it clear that the restructuring of the National League System will take place at the end of this season and clubs need to be mindful that promotion and relegation may be undertaken on a points per game basis.
Many clubs in Tier 2 have now contacted their local authority and have been given permission to open their tea huts. This is obviously a boost to club income. If clubs have not already done so the league has suggested that you contact your local authority to seek guidance and, if necessary, permission.
■■WILTSHIRE LEAGUE
Corsham Town Reserves maintained their unbeaten start since the resumption of the Wiltshire League. They ran out 4-1 winners against Malmesbury Victoria Development with a side containing five under-18 players and goals coming from Daniel King, Ben Wickens (2) and Adam Mitchell.
Odd Down Reserves also made it two wins from two since their return. Tom Ricketts netted the only goal of the game after 20 minutes to see off Devizes Town Reserves. With the Western League returning this weekend, Odd Down’s first team played a friendly against Radstock Town and came away 4-2 winners. ■■SOMERSET LEAGUE Division One second place Peasedown Miners Welfare enjoyed a fantastic second half at home to Castle Cary in Division Two. After a goalless first half in which Cary fell to ten men, Welfare opened the scoring with an early second half penalty before Connor Ford completed his hat-trick alongside a delightful Jord Rogers chip to make it 4-0.
Peasedown made it five with a wonderfully crafted goal as the game ended 5-1 after Cary scored a consolation from a free-kick to leave Welfare a point behind the leaders albeit having played two games more.
■■MID SOMERSET LEAGUE
second place Weston were able to hold Premier Division leaders Cam Valley to a 1-1 draw to remain three points off the top. Ten men Coleford Athletic were able to beat Bath Villa by a single goal. That strike came from Daniel Willis, while Macauley Fisher was sent off for the hosts.
In Division Two, Timsbury Athletic A earned their first draw of the season, holding second place Frome Collegians to a 3-3 stalemate. Newbold, Harrison Dowding and Tyler Crump netted for Timsbury. Goals from Shane Brett and Daniel Hucker saw third place Stoke Rovers to a 2-0 win over Saltford Reserves, overtaking them in the process.
It was also 3-3 between Cam Valley Reserves and Coleford Athletic Reserves in Division Three. William Bayley, Josh Campbell and Lewis Collier were on target for Coleford as they remain two points behind leaders Shepton Mallet Reserves who have played to games less. Cam Valley are a further three points back in fourth, but have played the same amount of games as the leaders.
■■WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Keynsham Town suffered a 3-1 defeat at second place Oxford United on their return to Women’s National League Southern Premier Division action. While Larkhall Athletic’s game in Division One South West was postponed, Keynsham’s Reserves were able to move to within three points of the Reserve South leaders with a 2-1 win over Crawley Wasps Reserves.