Corsham take the title (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Corsham take the title

10:00pm Thursday 10th May 2007 in Football By Nick Mashiter

Corsham Town 1 Radstock Town 0

Toolstation Premier Division

Colin Bush's Corsham side held their nerve to win 1-0 and clinch the championship at Southbank tonight.

Scott Lye's 67th minute goal was enough to settle a nervy game and cap an excellent season for his side.

It also signalled the end of two stalwarts' playing careers. Captain Colin Towler and assistant manager John Woods said they would be hanging up their boots.

Corsham dominated the match, which was played in appalling conditions in front of a crowd of almost 200.

But a combination of jitters in front of goal and solid defending kept them out.

Simon Gray had a golden chance to put his side ahead when he went round the keeper but somehow he managed to pull his shot wide.

But Corsham didn't have to wait long for Lye to make room for himself and drill a low shot home to spark wild celebrations.

The players ran towards the bench and piled on top of Bush and Woods.

Danny Western had another great chance to make the game safe when he also took the ball round the goalkeeper but he didn't make a clean contact when shooting and the ball was scrambled off the line.

Corsham ran the clock down without ever looking like conceding and at the final whistle there were more joyous celebrations on the rain-lashed pitch - only now it was champagne that was soaking the players.

Amid the delight there was laughter as Bush accidentally dropped the base of the giant championship trophy.

Afterwards he spoke of his pride in his players.

He said of the title: "It is thoroughly deserved, we have had 42 games and we have got to be the best team in the league, the best team finishes top.

"I have got a great group of players here. They have gelled togther and they play for each other."

Of the trophy dropping incident he added: "I thought it was going to be hollow, it was slightly heavier than I thought!"

He was showing no ill effects from being crushed by most of his team in the aftermath of the goal.

I didn't mind. I would have liked it to have happened another two or three times because it would have meant we scored more goals. I was okay though, when you are a memeber of the Saga club you don't mind."

Skipper Towler, a former Chippenham Town player, said his last game was the perfect one to bow out on.

"It was the sweetest, and the first, championship I have lifted. It has been a fantastic night.

"I don't usually suffer from nerves, I have played in cup finals and in big games before but that was the first time I have had butterflies."

For Woods it was a chance to add a winner's medal to the collection of runners-up medals he has earned with Corsham and Chippenham.

After saying this was his last game he quickly added that he would still be able to play in emergencies.

The championship capped a remarkable comeback for the man who had major surgery to remove cancer from his stomach last year.

Wood, who was a sub tonight, paid tribute to the team spirit at Corsham.

"We have got great team spirit and a close knit team. They want to work for each other and every onbe plays together for the good of the team. That is a good thing, rarher than bringing in players on a lot of money.

"I am so pleased for everyone here."

Despite winning the championship Corsham have decided not to take promotion into the Doctor Martens league.

Chairman John Gingell feels the finances are not yet in place at the club to go up. He is confident Bush will stay as manager.