From The Wiltshire Times, April 18th 1903

The resting place for another twelve months of the Wilts Cup was settled on Saturday, when Warminster and Wootton Bassett met for the second time, on the Bradford-on-Avon ground, after having made a pointless draw the previous week at Chippenham.

On that occasion the ground was in a heavy condition and greatly hampered the movements of both teams. The dry turf at Bradford on Saturday caused Warminster supporters to have very few misgivings as to the result of the match, as it was generally acknowledged that Warminster was the strongest side. Therefore the three goals to one victory for Warminster did not come as a surprise, but served to show that the plucky Wootton Bassett team had made a gallant fight.

From a spectators point of view the game was not by any means a good one, and a heavy drizzle of rain for about ten minutes after the game had commenced did not improve matters. The teams were the same as in the previous encounter. ... Mr. Keylock again officiated as referee.

Warminster won the toss and started with the wind at their backs. Curtis got away on the right and forced Ogbourne to kick out of play, but hard kicking by Warminster led to Wootton having a goal kick.

Curtis, Carter and Sims kept up the pressure, but the latter put in a weak shot to Page, who had no difficulty in clearing. The next 10 minutes brought out the good defence of Wootton, and Warminster, playing strongly, should have opened the scoring but their shots were wide of the mark, goal kicks resulting.

Wootton were getting away when Galpin robbed them of the ball, and some pretty work by Rutty led to Whitmarsh taking a long aim at goal which Page easily stopped. Holton was the next to shine, but kicked over when in a good position.

After a somewhat protracted stage by Warminster, which failed to bear fruit, Wootton came away to the other end. Adlam, however, came out to meet the challenge and fisted away. Holton did some good work for Warminster on the left, but a couple of corners were unproductive. Curtis next got in a capital centre right across the goalmouth, Whitmarsh just heading over.

Having a good chance to get clear Wootton overran the ball badly, and Whitmarsh got through, but his shot to Page was saved splendidly by that player. The Wootton men pulled themselves together and succeeded in forcing a couple of corners, a slight weakness in the Warminster defence for the moment being covered by a fine display of goalkeeping from Adlam.

Sims and Carter at length broke through, and Page again saved from Whitmarsh. Some good play by Rutty was nullified through hard kicking, but Humphries kept the ball well in the Wootton preserves, and a corner followed to Warminster. Holton took the kick, and placed nicely for Rutty to head into the net, the effort being deservedly applauded.

Galpin and Haines did some serviceable work, but Wootton Bassett had one more look in before half time, a corner kick being sent behind. With play in midfield Pinnell sent down a splendid long shot towards Page, who fisted out, and half time was called with Warminster leading by a goal.

The opening stages of the second half saw Adlam keeping out some warm shots, which was succeeded by splendid play on the part of Galpin. Page was called on to clear and hesitated, and Whitmarsh running up collided with him, the Bassett man being knocked out for a time, but was able to resume.

Page again cleared from Curtis, and the Bassett men endeavoured to break away. Humphries and Pinnell, however, had to be reckoned with, and their splendid kicking kept Warminster on the aggressive.

Page again asserted himself by saving a shot from Sims at close range, and in following play Bassett had a capital opening to draw on level terms, but failed to utilise it, and a capital single-handed effort by Ogbourne also went unrewarded.

Rutty again distinguished himself for Warminster, and Carter crowned the effort by scoring the second goal. Bassett, by playing the one-back game, did not improve matters, although Robinson gave a good exhibition, and a third goal fell to Warminster, Rutty sending across to Sims, who beat Page, the latter missing badly.

Ogbourne, who had given Curtis a lot of trouble, tricked away beautifully, and was well backed up. In trying to clear, Adlam slipped, and the Bassett men promptly netted their first and only goal. No further scoring resulting, Warminster were left in possession of the cup by a margin of three goals to one.

After the match the cup was handed over to the custody of W. Galpin, the Warminster skipper. In making the presentation, the Rev. S. G. Collison, the vicar of Bradford-on-Avon, said he was sure the Warminster men would wish him to congratulate the Wootton Bassett team on the plucky fight they had made (cheers). They would all congratulate Warminster on having won the cup a second time (applause) – Captain Galpin, in reply, said they had a hard fight, and he hoped they had won the cup on their merits. They wished Wootton Bassett better luck next year (cheers). –

The Rev J.F. Welsh, as president of the Warminster club, thanked the vicar of Bradford-on-Avon and reiterated the reference made to the Wootton Bassett team. Warminster were now the proud possessors of both Wiltshire cups, and although they would probably have to surrender the one they won last year in connection with the Wilts League, he (Mr. Welsh) was pleased to think that the trophy they had just won would find a resting place for the next twelve months in his house. Cheers were then given for the vicar of Bradford-on-Avon and for the Warminster team.

On arrival at Warminster the team had a hearty reception, and were escorted round the town by the band, finishing up at the headquarters (the Anchor Hotel), where the cup was filled and handed round in the course of an impromptu smoking concert.

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