Unbeaten Corsham end the year on top
Football, netball and skeleton
Corsham Town received a perfect present on Boxing Day as they maintained their unbeaten start to the season to claim top spot in Division One after previous leaders Welton Rovers suffered their first defeat of the campaign.
In one of just two Division One fixtures to take place in the Western League, after a mixture of the weather and the pandemic forced nearly all local games across Somerset to be called off, Corsham travelled to rivals Warminster Town.
After a goalless first half, Warminster opened the scoring early in the second half. Talisman Gary Higdon, fresh from his hat-trick last week, was at it again to level proceedings before William Stead earned the points for Corsham after Leigh Rogers had a penalty saved.
After the game, Corsham manager Kieran Baggs, talking on the club’s Youtube account, said: “As you can see now the rain is still coming down, it was really windy, the pitch was really soft but delighted that the game was played. Great crowd here, and really happy with the three points.
“Probably not our best ever display, but nice and competitive. I think we only limited them to one or two chances for the whole game, not that we had loads ourselves, but I felt especially second half we were very dominant - especially after going behind 1-0 - and the goals came for us at really good times.
“I think when you play local derbies, especially on Boxing Day, form goes out of the window - as cliche as that sounds. It almost turns into a cup game or have a cup feel to it, so they’re one-off games. When you get back into a rhythm of playing games and games and games, I don’t think it matters who we play.
“I think today was probably our biggest game of the season, one of our toughest opponents of the season in a local derby in front of a big crowd on a pitch that didn’t suit us - probably suited the more - and we’ve faced up to another tough, tough test and we’ve come out on top with another three points.
“To finish the year ten unbeaten, won nine drawn one, and top of the league I think now, the boys have to deserve all the credit, a great following support from all the away fans and to see so many of our club players coming to cheers us on felt like a really massive, important victory for us today.”
In the Premier Division, while Bitton and Odd Down saw their Boxing Day matches postponed, Keynsham Town were able to beat Brislington 3-1. Jack Dancey opened the Keynsham scoring on 20 minutes before adding his second ten minutes into the second half. Substitute Jamie Noble then wrapped things up 12 minutes from time.
Bradford Town suffered a 1-0 defeat at Westbury United but off the pitch, the side has received a boon after completing the re-signing of Tyson Pollard from Shepton Mallet and midfielder Mark Wall who left the Bobcats in the 2018.
Despite having their Boxing Day game postponed, Odd Down have decided to continue playing their matches until told otherwise following an emergency meeting.
As it stands, Odd Down are next due to travel to Brislington on Saturday while Bradford host Cadbury Heath, Keynsham face Plymouth Parkway and Corsham host Welton Rovers in a top-table clash. Bitton’s clash with Exmouth Town has already been postponed.
The Wiltshire League, Chippenham & District League and Trowbridge & District League are also due to have a programme of fixtures this weekend, while the Mid Somerset League, South West
Regional Women’s League and Somerset County Women’s League are scheduled to return the following weekend.
However, one league that has been put on hold for longer is the Somerset County League which has decided to postpone all fixtures up to and including January 16.
In a statement, the league said: “Following the government announcement yesterday [last Wednesday] to move Bristol, North Somerset and Somerset Council Areas up from Tier 2 to Tier 3 the Board of Directors has taken the decision to suspend fixtures up to and including the 16th of January. This regrettably includes all fixtures on 26th and 28th of December.
“With cases of COVID-19 rising across the country we need to play our part to keep all involved on match days safe. The Board fully appreciate the growing concern amongst clubs regarding playing at this current time and this is a key factor in our decision to ensure the health of everybody.
“The latest change of Tiers significantly affects the existing fixture list, and we are limited in what we can do to move fixtures around as we were able to do recently for those who opted to play. The board will be meeting next week to look at the challenges we face whilst seeking information and guidance from the SFA and FA on their expectations on completing the season.
“Once we have further information, we will hold an Emergency General Meeting via Zoom in midJanuary (date will be announce in earl Jan) to present the various options to all member clubs and give you all the opportunity to decide which option as clubs you would like the league to take.
“Can I again thank you all for your patience and understanding in these uncertain times and wish you all a Safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”