Division 2 Results – Week 1

The long wait is finally over, the first week of the 2021/22 season is finally upon us and although a number of the Shoestrings-Chargrill sponsored Chippenham Sunday League clubs were in Wiltshire FA Sunday League Cup action, there were 2 matches that took place in Division 2.

Fox & Hounds (Warminster) FC 9 – 1 Calne Athletic FC

Big Win For Fox & Hounds In Season Opener

It was mentioned before a ball was kicked that if the squad depth afforded to Fox & Hounds (Warminster) could be utilised properly then it could be a good season in the offing for them and they got their selection spot on as they opened with a resounding 8-1 win against Calne Athletic at Land Warfare Centre.

Jayson Stokes bagged himself the match ball and Reece Collyer scored from the spot as well as adding another to his tally. Myles Woodward also hit a brace as well as a goal apiece from George Ingram and Kurt Dawson completing the scoring for Fox & Hounds.

Rhys Edwards slotted home Calne’s consolation.

The Castle FC 3 – 4 FC Box

FC Box Edge Seven Goal Thriller

The scene was set for what could of been a cracker of a game. The Castle FC the pre-season favourites for this division coupled with FC Box skippered by Spencer Hall, the youngest player on the pitch, as well as bringing back a handful of old Corsham Centre players to add a bit of nostalgia to the game.

It did not disappoint, Box maybe just edged the first 15 mins, in a very close game. The Castle giving as good as they got and looking very dangerous on the break.

The deadlock was broken by FC Box after some good work down the right side, involving some great link up play between Jack Brain, Mitchell May and the extremely impressive Tom Tanner and this ended with a snap shot from the evergreen Simon Gray, returning from a couple of years away from the game and finding the back of the net at the first opportunity.

That seemed to shift The Castle up a gear and they started to dominate possession for a short period and it paid off with a lovely individual goal from Robbie Whyte for the equaliser and 1-1 at the break.

Castle came out fighting in the second half and soon took the lead through a smart finish from Chris Allen but instead of folding, FC Box dug deep and kept pushing and they were rewarded with a moment of individual brilliance by their captain fantastic, Spencer Hall, who dribbled round 4 players and finished in the far corner from outside the box.

Back on level terms and with chances at both ends coming with regularity, FC Box were only stopped from taking the lead by a very much in form James Baggot in The Castle goal, one particular save when Gray was through one on one drew plaudits from both sides and this was then followed up an few minutes later with what can only be described as a world class save from a corner.

Box kept up the pressure and some lovely build up play sent Gray free down the right, and he finished firmly across the keeper into the far corner to give Box a deserved lead.

This topsy turvey encounter then swayed back the other way as The Castle refused to concede the game was over and despite the heat draining the energy of both sets of players, the equaliser came from a set piece played into the box and finished by Castle’s top goal scorer from last season Matt Tilley despite the calls from FC Box players that he was in an offside position.

Box tapped into their reserves and upped their game once more and pushed for a winner which came with a carbon copy of the third goal from Gray, who completed a his hattrick, with a firm drive across the keeper.

Box parked the bus in the last minutes to stop The Castle getting level, the back four lead by Toby Gingell, who was solid through the whole game, stopped everything that came at them aided by Liam Harris in the Box goal.

The match official was praised for his handling of the match.