From The Devizes & Wiltshire Gazette, March 17th 1904

These teams met at Devizes. Local opinion was very open to which team would win, for though Wootton Bassett are reputed cup fighters, they have not done very well in their League matches this season.

Last year they got into the final round of the competition, and this season they started strongly by defeating Chippenham Town (the winners in 1901-1902) at Chippenham, and then Trowbridge Town, which have not yet lost a match in the League, at Wootton Bassett by a pretty decisive majority!

Devizes Town have not done well this season, and they were lucky in getting through the second round at Devizes against Even Swindon United, after drawing a goalless game with them at Wootton Bassett (their ground at Swindon being unavailable), but they showed to better advantage against Bradford, defeating them at Devizes by two goals to one.

Local supporters expected Devizes to just about get through, but it was anticipated that it would be a close fight. The home team played the same defence as that, which did duty against Bath Railway last Saturday, but in the forwards E.C.R. Hartley and E. Earle took the place of Bones and Hillier.

The game started just after 3.20. Mr. F.H. Howard, of Swindon being the referee, and Mr. J. Davis (Chippenham) and Mr. W.H. Peate (Trowbridge) were the neutral linesmen.

The team lined up as follows: Devizes Town : J. Staples; G. Wiltshire and E. Fishlock; A.J. Snelling, H. Staples and H. Chivers (capt.); H. Ellis, A. Woodruffe, E.C.R. Hartley, W. Grant and E. Earle. Wootton Bassett: Ricks; Robinson and Thorne; Ritchings, Hawe and Jones; Titcombe, Popham, Legg, Fry and Selby.

There was a large attendance when Devizes kicked off against the sun.

Wootton Bassett had the best of matters at the start and the Devizes defence had an anxious time. Fishlock relieved, however, and Woodruffe tried a shot at the other end.

Thorne was conspicuous in clearing, and mid-field play resulted, after which the visitors forced a corner. Devizes next had a look-in, but Wootton Bassett rushed up and Selby scored.

Devizes then pressed and Chivers put in a good shot. Hartley also made a good effort, but play was transferred to the other end. At half-time the scores stood â€" Wootton Bassett 1; Devizes Town 0.

Devizes went away with a push on restarting, and forced a corner, which Hartley converted.

Several of the homesters shot, but Ricks was sound, and the defence prevailed.

Play was taken to the other end, where a penalty kick was given against Devizes, through Fishlock handling, when the ball was passing into the open goal.

This proved abortive, for though the ball went into the net there was a question whether it was legitimately got there, and after consulting with the linesmen, the referee declined to allow a goal.

There was no more scoring, the visitors frequently indulging in kicking out. The game thus ended in a draw of one each. Both sides played an excellent game, and the match was the best seen on the Devizes ground this season.

The final score was Devizes Town 1; Wootton Bassett Town 1.

Devizes ran the visitors off their legs in the closing stages, and it was next to a miracle that they did not score the winning point.

Considerable comment was caused owing to the fact that the referee (Mr. F.H. Howard of Swindon) did not order extra time as the light was good and both teams are now behind with their league fixtures.

Credit: The Devizes & Wiltshire Gazette
Last modified on Tuesday 8th March 2022 at 15:43