From The Wiltshire Times, March 21st 1903

Chippenham United had the advantage of playing at home, but they had a disadvantage in not having previously had any experience of their opponents, as Saturday was the first time that Wootton Bassett has been at Chippenham in any match of importance.

There was a consensus of opinion that as the youth had downed on their own private teams who hold a conspicuous place in the Wiltshire League table they would manage to get home when meeting less conspicuous opponents, but those who thus reasoned did so without sufficiently calculating the strength of the boys on the hill, and the impression which they made by their display on Saturday was distinctly favourable, and such as to produce the opinion that better things will be heard of them.

Not that there was a brilliant exhibition of scientific football on either side, but the visitors showed themselves to be quicker on the ball and more alert to seize opportunities in front of goal than did the homesters.

The teams which faced each other were: Wootton Bassett – Page; Fry, Robinson; Howe, Hunt, R. Fry; Selby, Ogbourne, P. Leighfield, Little and C. Leighfield. United – Dancey; Weston, Tinson; Aland, R. Smith, Coleman; Harper, Harris, Tood, Cook and Wheeler.

The home team won the toss and chose to play up the slope in the opening half, having the advantage of the slight breeze.

The teams started off with a dash and the first twenty minutes of the game ruled fast. The United pressed for some time but eventually the visitors broke away with a spirited run down only to be pulled up for off-side, Leighfield being the offender.

The United returned the attack, and were getting dangerous when Wheeler inadvertently kicked the ball out play.

Dancey was called upon to handle, and in a short time he had again to be on the alert, being tested by a high dropping shot, which he just managed to negotiate.

The pressure being relieved by the forwards getting away, Weston shot at the Wootton Basett goal, and Page had to concede a corner. A bombardment ensued from the kick in and Todd opened the score sheet for the homesters by heading the ball into the net.

From the kick-off, the visitors secured the advantage, and the worked the ball into shooting range, but they were not dangerous, and a break away to the other end followed when Wheeler put in a well judged shot, which Page cleverly dealt with.

From the goal-kick there was a neat pass by Ogbourne on to the Wootton Bassett right-wing, where the ball was worked down the field and centred. C. Leighfield got possession and beating the home backs got possession and netted, though there was an opinion that the player from which he received the ball was off-side.

The shot gave Dancey but little chance, as it went across the mouth of goal and found its way into the corner of the net before he could reach it.

In thus equalising matters Wootton Bassett delighted their followers, who were present in large force, and both teams worked with renewed vigour.

Play moved back to the visitors' end, and then came a fine break away down the centre. Aland and Coleman tried hard to checkmate but failed, and C. Leighfield again called on Dancey with a swift shot. The custodian managed to touch the ball, but it slipped through his fingers into the net.

At this the contingent from Wootton Bassett were jubilant, and after half-time arrived without the score being altered.

In the second moiety the visitors played entirely on the defensive and kicked the ball out of play whenever opportunity offered. So often was this done that frequent shouts of "Marlow" were heard from the spectators.

The United worked hard to equalise, and Page on several occasions had hard work to keep the ball outside. Once Wheeler by a cleverly headed shot put the leather right into the mouth of the goal, and to those standing near it looked as if the ball was over the line, but the referee, who was close by, ruled otherwise.

A good deal of the play was on the right-wing, where Cook centred with excellent judgement, but do what they would the United could not score, though it was hard luck they were unsuccessful, and the expiration of the ninety minutes arrived with Wootton Bassett still leading by two goals to nil, and thus they qualified as competitors to meet Warminster in the final round of the competition.

Credit: -
Last modified on Thursday 3rd September 2020 at 10:19