WILTSHIRE SUNDAY CUP PREVIEW: Melksham and Biddestone will try again (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

WILTSHIRE SUNDAY CUP PREVIEW: Melksham and Biddestone will try again

4:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

A WEEK after the rain derailed their efforts to reach the final of this season's Wiltshire Sunday Cup, Chippenham League Premier Division sides AFC Melksham and Biddestone Social will try again to overcome both the weather and top Swindon League sides for a place in the final.

A team from the league has won in five of the last seven years including the last three seasons.

Westbury United’s Meadow Lane ground will host what should be a fascinating contest with AFC Melksham taking on New Century WMC who defeated current cup holders FC Jager 5-1 in the quarter-final.

Melksham should have both Luke Ballinger and Dave Macey available to help boost their squad that is already made up of a number of talented players who, on their day are more than capable of creating an upset.

This is arguably the biggest game Melksham’s history and everyone at the club are looking forward to what will be a keenly contest.

So far this season Melksham have saved their best for this competition and hope that this 90 minutes will set them up for an even bigger event a final appearance against the winners of Biddestone and AFC Gas who meet at Devizes Town ground.

This will be the first of three semi-final appearances for Biddestone who are bidding to become the first team to win the League title, Knockout Cup and Sunday Cup in the same season.

FC Jager went close last term, Corsham Centre, Shaw & Whitley Hibs and Navy Tavern have managed two out of the three but none have ever achieved the unique treble.

Ashley Smith, in his first season as manager, will hope to have a near full-strength side as possible available for their game at Nurstead Road against the Gas who accounted for 10-time winners Greyhound in the quarter-finals.

Biddestone, who should have been playing in the League’s own Knockout Cup semi-final will be hoping to get the game out the way as their fixtures are now starting to mount up.

Biddestone should have the players capable of going all the way in the competition but they need to make a good start otherwise gas may just cause an unexpected upset.

Current form would suggest a New Century v Biddestone Social Final but with only 90 minutes and possible extra time and penalties who knows what the magic of the cup can produce as the Chippenham League aim to keep their stranglehold on the cup going for another season at least.

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