Devizes left flying the Wiltshire flag (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Devizes left flying the Wiltshire flag

2:07pm Monday 12th December 2005 in Football By Alex Lawless

DEVIZES Town manager Nathan Sheridan said he is proud and honoured to be leading Wiltshire's final charge towards FA Vase glory.

His side is the only team left in the competition from the county and they play high-flying Ridgeons Eastern Counties Premier side Needham Market, in Sussex, in the third round on Saturday.

The Nursteed Road club have already beaten off the challenge from Penzance, Pewsey Vale in a replay, and Brislington on their way to this stage of the competition.

The Brislington result has proved to be a turning point for Devizes, who had won three games on the bounce before Wednesday's clash with Backwell United and lifted themselves off the bottom of the Toolstation Premier Division table.

It is that change of fortune that has seen Sheridan's side rewarded with the Toolstation Team of the Month.

"I looked on the Toolstation website and saw we had won the club of the month, which is a great reward for all the hard work we have been doing," said Sheridan.

"It's good to be appreciated by the people running the league, not just in Devizes, and it gives us a boost.

"It looks like we are beginning to turn the corner but there are many more games to win yet.

"It's quite an honour to consider we are the only team left in from Wiltshire, especially when you think of the quality of sides such as Melksham, Corsham, the Hellenic sides, even Bemerton Heath Harlequins from the Wessex League.

"It's nice to be playing someone from a different league and not have the pressure of picking up points.

"Against Brislington they went out there and expressed themselves with no emphasis on them and won. We will be looking for the same again."

Sheridan said he is expecting a small crowd to follow his side up to Needham Market for the biggest test of his short managerial career.

He said: "We are going up on a coach, we've filled that up and then there's some people travelling up separately.

"It will be a great day and we are lucky to have a whole squad to pick from, no injuries or suspensions.

"I have spoken to a couple of managers and with our pace up front I have no doubts we can get amongst them. This will be the biggest game of my career, until Tuesday when we play Corsham Town."

One player who could be set to start is Steve Campbell, who has signedfrom Southern LeaguersYate Town.

The versatile midfielder left Devizes in 2003 but has rejoined to get more games. Sheridan said: "He's a good player and we are delighted to have him."