Wiltshire League ponders extension to season (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Wiltshire League ponders extension to season

9:44am Monday 9th February 2009 in Football

Once again the local soccer fraternity had plenty of time on their hands as not a ball was kicked in the three divisions of the Wiltshire League due to snow covered pitches.

General secretary of the league Jim Thorne said: “That makes it three blank Saturdays this season so far with flooded and ice bound pitches and now snow.

There will be several clubs in the Premier division viewing the run in to the season with some apprehension, with the likelihood of having to plays three times a week.

It’s quite possible we may have to extend the season, we will consult the league fixture secretary who will advise the committee, and if need be we will seek permission from the Wilts FA to perhaps tack on an extra week.”

A couple of clubs who will be struggling to get their fixtures in will be Premier division Trowbridge Town and Westside.

Due to problems with their Bradley road ground Trowbridge have only played 12 matches and are around half a dozen games behind most sides in the section.

Manager Chris Carr said recently : “ It looks as though it’s going to be all go for us at the end of the season, the lads will be playing every other night if we have many more postponements. I must admit our pitch has been a bit to blame for us lagging behind, but hopefully when the clocks are altered we can catch up a bit.

Bottom of the table Westside have played just one more game than Trowbridge due mainly to their changing rooms being vandalised at the start of the season.

Their boss Dennis Carter said we have played most of our games away from home so far but hopefully we can catch up a bit now we can play home fixtures.

Premier leaders New College have also fallen behind a bit with their fixtures , due to county commitments and will not be too keen for a hectic end of season backlog of fixtures.

Clubs will be keeping their fingers crossed that they can get back in action next week with Trowbridge Town due to visit Calne Town, Westside are at home to Melksham and New College visit Corsham.

The College currently lead the Premier table by two points from second place Purton, with Calne Town in third spot and Melksham fourth.

At the other end of the table Westside, Pewsey Vale and Corsham are the three bottom clubs.

In other matches scheduled for next Saturday Devizes Town entertain Shrewton United, FC Chippenham Youth are at home to Bradford Town, Marlborough take on Bromham, Warminster play Pewsey Vale and last seasons champions Wroughton are at home to Westbury United.