SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: Colin Bush will be hoping for calm ahead of this Saturday's game at home to Wellington after last week's chaotic preparations.

The build-up to their opening day fixture was thrown into turmoil after Bush was taken into hospital with appendicitis but he is now back in charge and raring to go.

Bush said: "Obviously last week was hard for the lads and things should hopefully go smoother this week. Looking back at the game against Shrewton, we played very well and just switched off at the end.

"We were disappointed to lose but having had time to think about it there are many good points to take from it."

Corsham have been boosted by the return to fitness of James Highmore and Carl Bush is also back in first team contention.

Steve Roddy will miss the game but defender Brian Kyle should be available for selection.

Bush has done his homework on this week's opponents and has warned his side are in for a battle. He said: "My scout has told me they are a very big and workmanlike side. They have a nippy striker and we will have to ensure we adapt our game to stop them."

Corsahm Town 1, Shrewton United 2

Corsham Town's opening day hoodoo struck again at the weekend after two late goals by Western league new-boys condemned them to a cruel defeat.

Town have not won an opening day fixture since joining the Western League in 1997 and the run continued on Saturday as Shrewton emerged victorious in this Wiltshire derby.

With Colin Bush recovering from appendicitis, assistant manager John Woods took charge of first team affairs and he believes the defeat will teach his players a valuable lesson.

"We are absolutely gutted," said Woods. "All credit should be given to our lads who put everything in to it but we will have to learn to concentrate for the whole game.

"Our second half performance was good and we were well worthy of our one goal lead. Shrewton carried out a smash and grab raid on us as they punished two lapses of concentration with two goals."

With their opponents taking time to adjust to the pace of Western league football, Corsham started brightly and nearly took an early lead when Jamie Harrison saw his volley cleared off the line by Shrewton defender Ben Halski.

Striker Steve Roddy then squandered a couple of good chances as the home side looked to capitalise on their dominance.

Shrewton's best attempt of the first half came after 20 minutes when Dean Foot lobbed the ball just wide of Nick Evans's goal.

Corsham emerged for the second-half in determined mood and

only some great goalkeeping by Shrewton's Adam Burwell kept the score goal-less.

The home side eventually made the breakthrough after 55 minutes when the impressive Russell Lodge rose majestically to head home a Frank Coleman header.

For the next 20 minutes Town were in complete control and were unlucky not to extend their lead first through Roddy and then through Kilmurray.

Shrewton refused to give up and their doggedness paid dividends in the 80th minute when a counter-attack led to an equaliser scored by striker Shaun Collins.

Both sides were now looking tired as play swept from end to end but it was Shrewton who sealed victory after another fine strike by Collins.