Fitch keeps Corsham's double hopes alive (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Fitch keeps Corsham's double hopes alive

1:20pm Thursday 15th March 2007 in Football By Gazette Sport Reporter

DOUBLE-chasing Corsham Town reached their fourth consecutive Wiltshire Senior Cup final on Wednesday night after a narrow 2-1 win against Shrewton United at the Conigre.

The Reds, who sit level with Bridgwater at the top of the Toolstation Premier Division, will attempt to lift the trophy for the third straight season when the final is played at Hardenhuish Park on April 25.

Corsham could meet rivals Melksham Town in a repeat of the 2005/6 final, if Kelvin Highmore's side can overcome Hellenic League outfit Highworth Town at Hunts Copse on Wednesday.

Manager Colin Bush has told his players to savour the moment as they prepare to furnish the Southbank trophy cabinet with yet more silverware.

Bush said: "For most players cup finals are few and far between, but for many of my lads this will be their fifth final in four years.

"It must not be underestimated what these players have achieved. They will look back in time and see this as a real purple patch in their careers."

A brace from make-shift striker Ben Fitch ensured there would be no upset on Wednesday night as Corsham edged past their First Division opponents.

Jessie Walters gave the holders a scare when he equalised for Shrewton early in the second half, but Fitch was soon at the double to send his side through.

The victory means Corsham have become the first team since Devizes Town in the early 1970s to reach four consecutive Wilts Senior Cup finals.

Devizes went on to reach a fifth straight final in 1974, beating Park in the championship decider.

Corsham will have to wait another season to match that record, and Bush has told everyone to keep their feet firmly on the ground.

He said: "When I first came to Corsham we scraped into the Premier Division and we reached the Wilts Senior Cup final - that was considered a fantastic achievement by the club. Since then we've also won the Les Phillips Cup and finished runners-up to Bideford in the league twice.

"It's been a great few years for everyone connected with the club, but we can't afford to get carried away."

Bush believes the prospect of more cup glory will help his players to focus during the Premier Division run-in.

He said: "This keeps our season alive right up until the end of April at least. Even if we drift off in the league we know there's still a final to be played.

"There are some teams sitting in midtable with nothing to play for now whose only aim is to get their league fixtures out of the way.

"The last few years we've been able to keep going because we've had something to look forward to."

Bush knows it will be a tough ask to capture the Premier Division crown, but with three games in hand on their title rivals, the Reds may never get a better chance. He said: "It will be very difficult and it looks to be any one from four teams. Bideford are not out of it, then there's ourselves, Frome and Bridgwater.

"Frome look to have the easiest run-in, but I believe it will be the team that can keep their players fit who will triumph."