Sunday 7th June 2015

It was an action-packed festival of football at the 2015 Wootton Bassett Town Tournament, as the final edition in its traditional format proved to be an enormous success.

The sun and a stiff breeze were the order of the day on Saturday, before Ballards Ash basked in sunshine on what was a glorious Sunday. The action on the field proved to be even hotter though.

Under 9s

Bishops Cannings Corinthians were Saturday's first winners, defeating Malmesbury Warriors 2-0 in the Under 9s competition.

They conceded just one goal in the competition, which came in their first group game, a 2-1 victory against Pewsey Vale. After that though, their defence was perfect, helping them edge out Wanborough Wasps to top spot in Group A.

A single goal was enough to see off Lydiard Youth Hammers in the quarter final before penalties were needed to get past Group C winners Shrivenham in the semi-final.

That set up a date with Malmesbury, who, despite winning 3-0 in their final four clash against Wanborough, failed to match Bishops Cannings.

Under 11s

Wootton Bassett Town Blue ‘A' provided a home victory on Saturday morning, prevailing 2-0 on penalties against Croft Blue in the Under 11 final after neither side could be separated in normal and extra time.

Bassett, who came second in their group, were beneficiaries of a wide open tournament. Fourth place qualifiers FC Abbey Meads and Avonvale United knocked out group winners Swindon Supermarine and Bassett Blue ‘B' in the last eight.

That opened things up for the two runners-up.

Bassett Blue ‘A' made it to the final courtesy of a 3-0 win over Marlborough Youth ‘B' and 1-0 triumph against Abbey Meads, while Croft defeated Marlborough Youth ‘A' 1-0 before putting out Avonvale on penalties.

Under 13s

A dramatic extra time goal denied Bassett a Saturday double, as Highworth Town Juniors ‘H' 2 triumphed 1-0 against the host's Blue outfit in the Under 13 showpiece.

It was Highworth's second extra time win, coming after a victory by the same scoreline against FC Abbey Meads ‘A' in the last eight. They then went on to defeat Devizes Town ‘A' 2-0 in the semi finals.

Highworth had earlier gone through as Group B runners-up as they finished second on goal difference in a tightly fought competition.

Bassett Blue were the only team to finish as group winners by a clear point, but required penalties to progress at each knockout stage, seeing off Devizes Town ‘B' and then Lydiard Millicent Juniors.

The final came also close to needing spot kicks, but Highworth's goal, which just crossed the line, brought an earlier conclusion.

Under 12s

Sparking a trend on Sunday, Liden Community ‘A' lifted the Under 12s trophy courtesy of a 2-1 win on penalties against Greenmeadow Youth.

That followed a tense, albeit entertaining final full of high quality football which ended 0-0 despite numerous shots on goal.

Liden had earlier soared through their group, finishing top before seeing off Castle Combe Colts ‘A' 1-0 and Wootton Bassett Blue – another group winner – 2-0.

Greenmeadow's path to runners-up began with twelve points from twelve in Group B before they eliminated Liden Community ‘B' and Bassett White with a pair of 1-0 victories.

Under 14s

The Under 14s tournament was another to be decided on penalties, with Wanborough Wasps winning 3-2 in sudden death against Faringdon Town ‘A'.

Foes in the group stage, where they shared the points in a 1-1 draw, they set up a return clash in the final with victories on penalties against Broad Town Colts for Wanborough and Group B winners FC Calne for Faringdon.

Their second meeting was again tied, this time a goalless draw, before the lottery of penalties eventually separated them.

Under 10s

The final match of the weekend saw Greenmeadow Youth City triumph in the Under 10s competition as they defeated Stratton Juniors ‘B'.

Greenmeadow proved to be the ultimate survivors, navigating penalty shootouts in the semi-final and final en-route to lifting the trophy.

Their victory was somewhat fitting given that they were the only team to score a goal in normal play in the knockout stages, that coming in their last eight fixture against Highworth Town Juniors ‘T'.

They then saw off Group A victors Pewsey Vale before holding their nerve in the final against Stratton, who had eliminated Croft Red and Group B winner Greenmeadow United.

Under 6s, 7s and 8s

Competitions at the Under 6, 7 and 8 eight age groups were run on a non-competitive basis, with a prize for the team deemed the most sporting and judged by the referees.

33 teams participated across these age groups with sportsmanship awards going to Marlborough Youth (U6s), Purton Youth (U7s) and Wroughton Youth (U8s)

With the move to the new facility imminent, the tournament at Ballards Ash marked what is likely to be the end of an era after 14 competitions in 15 years at the venue, now owned by the town Rugby club.

Head of Youth Section Pete Yeardley commented: “Yet again, it was an extremely successful event thanks to a sterling team effort from volunteers across the club, the excellent football played in a friendly spirit by all teams who entered and the fantastic support from the parents who came along to support.”

“Huge thanks must go to Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Football Club as well for allowing the use of Ballards Ash.”

“These events really do exemplify everything that is great about grassroots football. While the move to our new facility means that this was likely to be the last event held in this traditional manner, we'll look to introduce a new format next year that continues to bring together both the club and local football community in such a positive way.”