The big game of the week was the semi final of the prestigious Wiltshire Senior Cup, the oldest of the Wiltshire FA cup competitions which includes Swindon Town and virtually all of the top clubs in Wiltshire amongst its previous winners. The semi final tie was at Swindon Supermarine and saw Premier Division sides Wroughton and Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development up against each other.

It would prove to be a game of limited chances with the two sides very much cancelling each other out over the 90 minutes. The opportunities that came the way of each side generally involved their leading scorers, Wroughton's Jonathan Peachey-Score and Bassett's Flynn Walters, either in the build-up play or in the final attempt at goal.

It was the relegation threatened Bassett who created the early first half chances. A free kick from Walters caused problems in the Wroughton defence but nobody was able to get a clear shot on goal and the danger was cleared by the Wroughton back line.

Next up, a move down the right flank saw the ball played into Wroughton box, eventually reaching the feet of Mani Mesas, who held the ball up before laying it back to Afonso Ferreira but he scuffed his shot which ended up going well wide of the post.

At the other end Peachey-Score was off target with the first real chance that came his way. A ball over the top from Max Scholefield found him on the left-hand side of the opposition box, Peachey-Score cutting in before hitting a shot which sailed high and wide of the goal.

Bassett full back Oliver Smith was the next to have a sight of goal, the ball falling to him after a challenge from Walters on the edge of the Wroughton box, but his low shot was another that went well wide without troubling Luke Kuczynski.

The last real chance of the first half once again involved Peachey-Score, a ball from the right from Kassa Anderson finding Peachey-Score on the edge of the box, he turned his defender before firing a shot straight at keeper Adam House who was well positioned to pull off the save and then see his defence clear the ball to safety.

The first real chance of the second half fell to Wroughton, a short pass from Anderson finding Aaron Maximen on the edge of the box and his turn and shot saw the ball just go the wrong side of the post as it remained 0-0.

At the other end Kuczynski did well to punch a close range effort from Jonny Aitkenhead from the edge of the six-yard box over the bar.

The closest either side went to finding the back of the net in 90 minutes came when a quick break out from defence saw Peachey-Score get away from the Bassett defence before forcing House into an excellent save to push the ball away to safety.

Another half chance at the other end saw George Staten put Walters in the clear but a great recovering tackle just before he prepared to pull the trigger once again ensured it remained 0-0 and the final whistle meant penalties would be needed to decide matters.

Wroughton had beaten Amesbury Town in the second round in a penalty shootout and once again demonstrated their proficiency from 12 yards, while nerves possibly got the better of Bassett.

George Lance, Bassett's usual penalty taker, hit the post with his effort. Peachey-Score then followed and the Wroughton striker made no mistake firing high into the top corner of the net, giving House no chance.

Mesas then saw his spot kick saved by Wroughton keeper Kuczynski and when Max Scholefield made no mistake with penalty number two for Wroughton the pressure was on Walters to make sure he kept his side in the contest.

However, Walters fired way over, meaning if Wroughton scored their third they would be through. Experienced campaigner and Wroughton legend Shane Hibbert took the responsibility and fired home to send his team in their second Wiltshire Senior Cup final in three seasons where they will meet the winner of the other semi final between Warminster Town and Devizes Town.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 28th May 2025 at 11:14