The eighth and final #CSTP21 group includes two from Step 8 and two from Step 9, including the organisers second entry, the A Team. It promises to be one of the most tightly contested groups.

Lambourn Sports - North Berks Division 1 (Step 8)
Sports spent a good few years in the Hellenic structure but have spent the majority of the last 20 years in the North Berks League, currently in Division 1.They have won the title 4 times in total, all coming since 2006. Since their last title, in 2015, things haven't been quite as good with just one top half finish in the four completed season. Their extra experience probably makes them favourites in what promises to be a very tightly contested group.

Ashton Keynes - Swindon & District Premier (Step 8)
Ashton Keynes moved to the SDFL from the Cirencester League in 2017. They finished fourth in their first season but then trailed off a little in their second. However, last season before the early shutdown, they were sitting second in the league and only being kept off top spot by means of Globe FC's superior goal difference, having only lost once in eight (a 4-0 defeat at Globe). Goals were not a problem, especially at home where they had managed to smash in 15 over 3 games.

Stanford in the Vale - North Berks Division 2 (Step 9)
Stanford's existence in the North Berks League structure is the definition of 'up and down'. In 30 years they have managed 6 relegations and 6 promotions, playing in all four divisions over this period. They currently reside in Division 2 after dropping down from the top flight at the end of a disastrous 2017-18 campaign where they only managed 4 points all season.
Did you know? Poet Pam Ayres was born in Stanford. I always thought she was from Norfolk for some reason.

Cricklade Town 'A' - Swindon & District Division 1 (Step 9)
Our final team of the 32 is Cricklade's on A team. They played in the SDFL Division 1 last season, effectively filling the spot left by the Reserves when they moved in the Hellenic League. It was an up and down season for them. They managed to complete 11 games, winning 4 and losing 7. There were certainly plenty of goals in their games, 64 in total, almost six a game. Only one of five games was won at home, so maybe they are a better team on the road?


If you haven't already followed Cricklade Town (@cricklade_fc) on Twitter please do so. Let's increase their following, increase the interest in this competition, and spread the word.

If any of the above information is incorrect please (some of it is increasingly difficult to find) let me know via Twitter (@basepyramid) or email on info@botp.co.uk. I am more than happy to correct any errors.

Group 7 features the first of the two 'home' sides, Cricklade Town reserves, who are also the only Hellenic League side to feature. It also includes the only Vets team taking part in the tournament

Malmesbury Victoria Dev. - Wiltshire Senior League (Step 7)
The Flying Monks Dev. team currently compete in the Wiltshire Senior League where they have played since 2016-17, the season that first team moved into the Hellenic structure from the Wiltshire League. It has to be said that they have not set the division alight in this time, but have also managed to hold their own despite never breaking into the top half of the table. As the only Step 7 team in the group they will start as favourites but won't be able to rest on their laurels.

Cricklade Town Reserves - Hellenic League Div. 2 (Step 8)
Cricklade's reserve side moved into the Hellenic league structure last season. Unfortunately, they only managed to play 5 games. They started well, inflicting defeat on Kington Town on the opening day, but tailed off a little, suffering quite heavy defeats to Malvern and Tuffley. Prior to this they had spent some time in the Swindon & District League. With their first team not involved in this competition, local pride will rest on the Reserves and Cricklade's A Team, who are in Group 8 (see next preview).

Redhouse FC Vets - North Wiltshire Vets League (N/A)
Redhouse Vets entered the North Wiltshire Veterans Division, part of the Wiltshire Senior League structure, for the first time last season, in the only the second season that the Division has existed. They only managed to play 3 of their games before the season was ended. However, at close of play they were only being kept off the top on goal difference from KMLC FC, who had played a game more. Redhouse finished with a 100% record, which included a 2-0 win at KMLC. Vets they may be, but don't write them off, you can't replace experience.

Spectrum FC - Swindon & District Division 1 (Step 9)
When last season was halted Spectrum were sitting fifth in Division 1 of the SDFL, some 13 points adrift of the leaders Swindon AFC. However, when it comes to goal scoring, they couldn't be matched, even by the leaders. A total of 32 goals, 17 at home and 15 away, over 8 matches to give an average of 4 per game. This was a great improvement on the previous season where Spectrum only won twice in the 13 games they completed, failing to win at home at all. The fact that so much improvement was made will no doubt give them encouragement that they can make an impact as the group underdogs.

If you haven't already followed Cricklade Town (@cricklade_fc) on Twitter please do so. Let's increase their following, increase the interest in this competition, and spread the word.

If any of the above information is incorrect please (some of it is increasingly difficult to find) let me know via Twitter (@basepyramid) or email on info@botp.co.uk. I am more than happy to correct any errors.

If Group 1 was the group of Death, Group 6 could be termed the Group of Serious injury. A Step 7 team, two from Step 8 and one from Step 9 make this an intriguing looking group which could be very difficult to predict.

Purton FC - Wiltshire Senior League (Step 7)
Purton, who I have seen play a couple of times (Purt Symmetry, Late Drama), should start the competition as group favourites as the highest ranked team in the group. However, they open the group with a very local derby, against Redhouse who they share a ground with, and we all know that local derbies can be unpredictable. Prior to joining the Wiltshire League for the 2017-18 season, Purton spent many years at Step 6 in the Hellenic League structure.

Redhouse FC - Swindon & District Premier (Step 8)
Redhouse won the SDFL Division Two title in 2019 and, because of the league restructure down to two divisions, gained promotion to the Premier League. Their first season in the top flight, curtailed after 13 games, saw them amass four wins, including a whopping 12-0 defeat of bottom side Regent FC. Last season they only managed to get 7 games played but had managed to go unbeaten, winning 4 and drawing 3, although 6 of these games were at home.

Nalgo Sports - Swindon & District Premier (Step 8)
Sports have been around since 2016 and originally played under the name FC Dorcan. Under that name they finished second to Tawny Owl in only their second season. In the 2019-20 season they were also sitting second when the season came to a premature close. Last season was not looking so promising and they had only managed 2 wins from 7 games when the season was shutdown. 
Mildly Interesting Fact - In my much younger days I played a few games for Nalgo Wolverhampton during a brief spell working at the local Council offices.

Swindon AFC - Swindon & District Division 1 (Step 9)
Like Nalgo Sports, Swindon AFC were also formed in 2016. When last season came to its abrupt end they were sitting pretty sit the top of Division 1, unbeaten and seven points clear after scoring 35 goals and conceding just 5 in their 10 games. So, although they are the underdogs of the group, they were clearly in form during the season and will, no doubt, fancy their chances of causing an upset along the way. Whilst their match-up with Nalgo will not be as local a derby as the Purton v Redhouse game, the clubs are still less than 2 miles apart.

If you haven't already followed Cricklade Town (@cricklade_fc) on Twitter please do so. Let's increase their following, increase the interest in this competition, and spread the word.

If any of the above information is incorrect please (some of it is increasingly difficult to find) let me know via Twitter (@basepyramid) or email on info@botp.co.uk. I am more than happy to correct any errors.
This edition was sponsored by MisinformedTosh.com

We have a late change in the fith group. Priory Vale have dropped out to be replaced by the competition's only Sunday League outfit, Jovial Monk.

Chesterton FC - Stroud & District Division 1 (Step 10)
If Kingshill Sports (see Group 4) felt hard done by when the season ended early, Chesterton can state an even bigger grievance. Seven points clear with a game in hand, a 100% record and 35 goals scored in 8 matches when the season ended. This fantastic record comes on top of winning the aborted Division 2 season in the previous year on PPG, having only lost once in 13 games and leading the division by 11 points at the close. They clearly look a force to be reckoned with in Group 5 despite being the lowest ranked team in the group.

Hatherop - Swindon & District Premier (Step 8)
Like Priory Vale who they face in this group (see below), Hatherop finished mid-table in the SDFL Premier. They were accepted into the SDFL structure at the end of last season after spending 5 seasons in the Cirencester & District setup. They had an interesting start to their SDFL life, winning their first to games 3-0. They also had a 6-6 draw and a 9-2 away win in their opening 5 matches. Their games could be ones to watch in this competition.

Jovial Monk FC - Swindon Sunday League Division 2
A late change to Group E with Jovial Monk coming in to replace Priory Vale. Around since 2016-17, Monk play in the Swindon Sunday League, currently in the second tier. At close of play last season they were sitting pretty at the top of the league, five points clear of Mannington in second. A whopping 27 goals in their seven games shows that they know where the net is. They can also defend, conceding just 9.

Swindon Centurions - Swindon & District Division 1 (Step 9)
The threesome of SDFL clubs is completed by Division 1 outfit Swindon Centurions. I must confess to Centurions being a bit of a mystery to me. They've certainly spent the last 6 seasons hovering between mid-table and the lower reaches if the SDFL Division 1. They also seem to have been listed under three names, including Swindon Centurions 2019, Swindon Centurions Spectrum and their current Swindon Centurions. Aside from that, I have found it hard to find any extra information.

If you haven't already followed Cricklade Town (@cricklade_fc) on Twitter please do so. Let's increase their following, increase the interest in this competition, and spread the word.

If any of the above information is incorrect please (some of it is increasingly difficult to find) let me know via Twitter (@basepyramid) or email on info@botp.co.uk. I am more than happy to correct any errors.

The halfway point in our preview of the eight #CSTP21 groups. We start this preview down in Somerset before visiting three more Stroud & District outfits.

Odd Down Reserves - Wiltshire Senior League (Step 7)
After many a year in the Somerset County League, Odd Down's Reserve side finished bottom in 2019 and left the the league structure. They reappeared last season in the Wiltshire Senior League and made a pretty good fist of their campaign before the season was aborted. Sitting in sixth pace, admittedly after playing more games than most, they had managed to amass 19 points from their 14 outings. This was largely down to their away record, winning 5 on the road as opposed to just 1 at home. As the highest ranked team in Group 4, they will start as favourites.

Kingswood 1sts - Stroud & District League Division 1 (Step 10)
After featuring their reserves in the previous edition, it's time for Kingswood's first team to get a mention. Before I start writing these previews I'll confess to knowing very little about the Stroud & District League. So, it is interesting to see that Kingswood played in the Gloucester County League up until mid-season 2018-19, when they resigned. This corresponds with their reserves dropping from Division 1 to Division 7. Clearly a complete club reset took place at this point. Since re-joining the League, Kingswood have not exactly set it alight but their higher pedigree suggests they will again come good.

Minety Dev - Stroud & District League Division 7 (Step 16)
Minety's Dev. team are the second lowest ranked team in the competition, playing alongside Kingswood Reserves in Divisor 7 but having ended last season much higher in the table despite this being their first season. Entertainment seems to be the name of the game with Minety Dev. Their first three games last season finished 7-1, 4-5 and 4-0. In total they scored 22 times in 7 games, conceding 13, before the season came to a premature end.

Kingshill Sports FC - Stroud & District League Division 5 (Step 14)
The final team in Group 4, Kingshill Sports, had their season cut short whilst sitting at the top of the table, with a 100% record, 2 points clear and with 3 games in hand on second place and having amassed 35 goals in 7 games. Cruel, to say the least. Sports won Division 2 of the Cirencester & District League Division 2 in 2013-14 and then played in the Combined Division before transferring to the Stroud setup in readiness for last season.

If you haven't already followed Cricklade Town (@cricklade_fc) on Twitter please do so. Let's increase their following, increase the interest in this competition, and spread the word.

If any of the above information is incorrect please (some of it is increasingly difficult to find) let me know via Twitter (@basepyramid) or email on info@botp.co.uk. I am more than happy to correct any errors.

1Group 3 of CSTP21 throws together four teams from the Stroud and District League. It also features the lowest ranked team in the competition (unless you count Redhouse Vets).

Old Richians FC - Stroud & District Div. 1 (Step 10)
The season that just ended was Richians tenth in the top flight of the Stroud & District League. They have shown signs of great consistency over that time, finishing 5th twice, 4th twice, 6th and 2nd, before having a few seasons hovering around 8th and 9th. Last season, although aborted after 8 games, they were back to 4th spot having only lost twice, conceding just 9 goals in the process.

Wickwar Wanderers - Stroud & District Div. 1 (Step 10)
Wanderers have yet to complete a full season in the top flight since gaining promotion at the end of the 19-20 season. In fact, as late as the 2017-18 season, they were still in Division 4, rising through the divisions in consecutive seasons. At the close of play in their first season playing in Division 1 they had reached a fairly comfortable 10 points from 8 games, including an opening day 4-2 win against Kingswood whose reserve team also feature in this group.

Kingswood Reserves - Stroud & District Div. 7 (Step 16)
As the lowest ranked team in the competition (barring Redhouse's Vets team), Kingswood Reserves face a tough task, with two of their group opponents six divisions about them in the Stroud & District League. They probably were not too worried when last season was curtailed, having only picked up 1 win form the opening 5 games. However, I see that they were in Division 1 during the 2018-19 season and then re-appeared in Division 7 last season. Did they drop out and start again? With recent Division  pedigree they could be more of a force than their current league standing suggests.

Stratton United - Stroud & District Div. 4 (Step 13)
Last season was Stratton's first in the Stroud & District League after spending many years in the Cirencester & District League. They won Division 2 by 3 points in 2009, despite losing their last game, scoring 123 goals in the process. They dropped back into Division 2 after two seasons, came straight back up but were then relegated straight away again. The Divisions were combined in 2017, which saw them, effectively, back in the top flight before transferring at the end of the 2019-20 season.

If you haven't already followed Cricklade Town (@cricklade_fc) on Twitter please do so. Let's increase their following, increase the interest in this competition, and spread the word.

If any of the above information is incorrect please (some of it is increasingly difficult to find) let me know via Twitter (@basepyramid) or email on info@botp.co.uk. I am more than happy to correct any errors.

Our second blog this week looks at Group 2 of the Cricklade Supreme Trophy & Plate competition which features four teams from the Stroud & District League.
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Tredworth Tigers - Stroud & District League Div. 1 (Step 10)
Talk about consistency. Tigers have been third in their division for the last 4 seasons, albeit two of those did not complete. All of this came after a very rapid rise up the leagues. In the 2009-10 season, Tredworth finished second in Division 6, gaining promotion. They then won two consecutive promotions to start the 2012-13 season in Division 3. It took them two seasons to climb into Division 2 and a further three more to make it into the top flight. Five promotions in eight years is good going in anyone's books.

Quedgeley Wanderers Reserves - Stroud & District League Div. 1 (Step 10)
Wanderers and Tredworth will be expected to be the top two in this group. At the close of play last season they were only separated by goal difference. Tigers, in third, had scored one fewer but had managed to concede four fewer than Tredworth. In fact, the two have not been far apart since Wanderers gained promotion at the end of  the 2018-19 season.

Minety 1sts - Stroud & District League Div. 3 (Step 12)
More than most, Minety would have been disappointed to see last season curtailed. Although sitting in fifth spot, they were just three points behind the leaders, with three games in hand and were boasting a 100% record. They'll be looking to take this form into CSTP21. This was their first season in the Stroud League having transferred over from the Cirencester & District League the previous season.

Siddington - Stroud & District League Div. 4 (Step 13)
Like Minety, Siddington were also having a decent season last term, with just one defeat in their opening six games. They had also followed Minety in transferring from the Cirencester & District League where they had occupied a mid-table position for the previous three seasons. They are the underdogs of Group 2 but ill no doubt be looking to create an upset or two along the way.

If you haven't already followed Cricklade Town (@cricklade_fc) on Twitter please do so. Let's increase their following, increase the interest in this competition, and spread the word.

If any of the above information is incorrect please let me know via Twitter (@basepyramid) or email on info@botp.co.uk

Over the coming week or so we will be previewing all eight groups in the Cricklade Supreme Trophy & Plate 2021 (CSTP21). The tournament is organised by Cricklade Town of the Wiltshire Senior League and features 32 teams who play in 7 leagues, spanning 5 counties. In the style of the Euros or World Cup, there ill be eight groups of four teams. The winners and runners-up from each group will progress to the last eight of the Trophy competition, third and fourth placed sides will drop into the Plate competition. Both Trophy and Plate will then progress through Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final stages. Group games will begin on Saturday 3rd April with the Finals of both competitions on May 22nd.

Every competition of this nature has a Group of Death, as the media love to term it. Well, CSTP21 is no different and Group 1 has more than a small claim to this title. Clubs competing span many levels of the grassroots structure, from what is effectively Step 7 down to Step 14 an even a Vets team. Six teams currently play at Step 7 and two of them have been drawn in Group 1 along with a team from Step 8 and one from Step 9.

Shrewton United - Wiltshire Senior League (Step 7)
We start the round-up with a team that have to be amongst the favourites to take the Trophy title, Shrewton United. The Shrews have been a mainstay of the Wiltshire Senior League since dropping down from the Western League in 2013. Although when last season was prematurely halted they were in 9th spot, they have only finished outside the top three once (4th in 17/18) in 8 seasons.

Ludgershall Sports - Wiltshire Senior League (Step 7)
Next season will be the eleventh for Sports in this league after moving from the Hampshire League via a short spell in the Andover & District League. They had been regulars in the top half of the table until the last two (aborted) seasons where only 6 points were gained over a period of 28 matches. Last season's solitary win, however, came in a 2-1 home win over Shrewton.

Seend United - Trowbridge & District Division 2 (Step 9)
United are the lowest ranked team in this group, playing two divisions below the Wiltshire Senior League. They are not the easiest team to find too much information about having only been in the Trowbridge & District League structure for the past two seasons, both of which were voided. Two season's ago they only managed 2 wins in 13 games. However, they still managed to score 34 goals in those 13 games. Not a bad goals for ratio for a team that was sitting bottom of the league when the season ended.

Three Daggers - Trowbridge & District Division 1 (Step 8)
The Daggers were promoted to Division 1 of the Trowbridge  District League at the end of the 2016-17 season, dropping just 5 points in the 18 game campaign and scoring 108 goals in the process. Since that time they have showed great consistency in the top flight, finishing 8th in their first season and fifth the season afterwards. In the last two, voided, seasons they sat in sixth and fifth when play was halted.

If you haven't already followed Cricklade Town (@cricklade_fc) on Twitter please do so. Let's increase their following, increase the interest in this competition and spread the word.

If any of the above information is incorrect please let me know via Twitter (@basepyramid) or email on info@botp.co.uk