Warminster were left nursing their heads as Wiltshire rivals, Devizes, put them to the sword in the New Year's Day derby game. It's now seven defeats on the bounce for Warminster, the last four of which, they have failed to register a single goal.
Both teams came into this game on the back of defeats, Devizes having gone down 2-0 at local rivals Calne Town on Boxing Day. Warminster had also lost 2-0, at home to league leaders Bradford Town.
This is the first meeting of the teams this season. The reverse fixture is scheduled for the last weekend on the calendar. The last time the teams shared a full season in the same division was the 2018-19 Western league Division One campaign. Since then there were two Covid-affected seasons and then one in which Devizes played in the Wiltshire County League before a fifth-placed finish in Division One of the Hellenic League last season, and a lateral move back into the Western League. In that last full season together the teams drew 1-1 at Weymouth Street. However, the game at Nursteed Road saw Devizes romp to a 6-1 victory. The Warminster goal-scorer that day, Charlie Watson, also got himself sent-off.
Many thanks to referee Simon Laraway for bringing the team sheets over to me to photograph before the game. Much appreciated.
Both teams came into this game on the back of defeats, Devizes having gone down 2-0 at local rivals Calne Town on Boxing Day. Warminster had also lost 2-0, at home to league leaders Bradford Town.
This is the first meeting of the teams this season. The reverse fixture is scheduled for the last weekend on the calendar. The last time the teams shared a full season in the same division was the 2018-19 Western league Division One campaign. Since then there were two Covid-affected seasons and then one in which Devizes played in the Wiltshire County League before a fifth-placed finish in Division One of the Hellenic League last season, and a lateral move back into the Western League. In that last full season together the teams drew 1-1 at Weymouth Street. However, the game at Nursteed Road saw Devizes romp to a 6-1 victory. The Warminster goal-scorer that day, Charlie Watson, also got himself sent-off.
Many thanks to referee Simon Laraway for bringing the team sheets over to me to photograph before the game. Much appreciated.
A damp afternoon at Nursteed Rd Devizes were looking for a response after their Boxing Day defeat, and they certainly got one. Rhys Talmash sprung the Warminster offside trap after only four minutes, bursting down the left flank. However, Callum Hotine was quick to narrow the angle, forcing the winger to plant his effort into the side-netting. Undeterred, the hosts continued to probe away at the Warminster defence and finally got the breakthrough after 17 minutes. This time the initial threat came from the right wing. A cross went deep toward the left corner edge of the penalty area where Danny Bowyer met it with a scorching left-foot volley that flew back past Hotine into the top corner. What a strike! 1-0
Deadlock broken, Devizes set about increasing their lead and did just that only three minutes later. Again the initial threat came from wide, this time the left again. The ball was delivered low across the box and looked to be slightly behind Josh Parsons. However, the attacking midfielder adjusted well, firing the ball past Hotine. 2-0
To be fair to them, Warminster tried to respond immediately from the restart. Direct from the kick-off the ball was hoisted done the right for Ben Harris, who took it down well before driving into the box, only to be crowded out by the home defence. It came to nothing, but it was the first real sign of intent from the visitors.
That moment, although not leading to a goal back, had some of the desired affect in as much as it made the hosts realise they could not take their eye off the ball and, despite still having the lion's share of possession, the flow of goals had been stemmed, at least temporarily. That was until the 40th minute when a splendid through ball split the Warminster defence asunder. Rhys Talmash ran onto it and this time made no mistake, shooting low into the far corner. 3-0
Once again Warminster tried to respond. With three minutes left in the half, Jake Wright was able to get in behind the home defence, but Dominic Oakes was alert, blocking well with his feet.
HT Devizes Town 3 Warminster Town 0. A comfortable half for the hosts. Warminster failed to threaten a solid looking home defence, marshalled by captain Jon Bazley.
Deadlock broken, Devizes set about increasing their lead and did just that only three minutes later. Again the initial threat came from wide, this time the left again. The ball was delivered low across the box and looked to be slightly behind Josh Parsons. However, the attacking midfielder adjusted well, firing the ball past Hotine. 2-0
To be fair to them, Warminster tried to respond immediately from the restart. Direct from the kick-off the ball was hoisted done the right for Ben Harris, who took it down well before driving into the box, only to be crowded out by the home defence. It came to nothing, but it was the first real sign of intent from the visitors.
That moment, although not leading to a goal back, had some of the desired affect in as much as it made the hosts realise they could not take their eye off the ball and, despite still having the lion's share of possession, the flow of goals had been stemmed, at least temporarily. That was until the 40th minute when a splendid through ball split the Warminster defence asunder. Rhys Talmash ran onto it and this time made no mistake, shooting low into the far corner. 3-0
Once again Warminster tried to respond. With three minutes left in the half, Jake Wright was able to get in behind the home defence, but Dominic Oakes was alert, blocking well with his feet.
HT Devizes Town 3 Warminster Town 0. A comfortable half for the hosts. Warminster failed to threaten a solid looking home defence, marshalled by captain Jon Bazley.
Devizes kept up the onslaught in the second half The only way that Warminster had a hope of getting back into the game was to come out fighting in the second half and look to get an early goal back. Sadly for them and their supporters, the exact opposite happened. Only four minutes had gone in the second period when Matt Swann's run into the left hand edge of the penalty area was spotted. The midfielder controlled with his first touch before slotting neatly past Hotine with his second. 4-0
As if that wasn't enough, with 53 on the clock, the hosts made it five with a goal that summed up the gulf between the sides. Warminster had the ball in the final third but their attack broke down when Bazley won the ball back. Unchallenged, he was allowed to stroll forward toward halfway, before slipping a pass through to the forward line. This, in torn, was laid off into the path of top-scorer Luke Hopper, who calmly stroked the ball home. 5-0. Way, way too easy from a Warminster perspective.
If the game was not over at half-time, it certainly was now and it looked to be a case of how many goals the home side wanted to help themselves to. Just past the hour mark they made it six when a cross-shot was slid in at the far post by Rhys Talmash. 6.0.
Then, with 22 minutes remaining, they added to their tally again. This time it was mainly down to the determination and running power of right-back Harry Messenger. Winning the ball deep in his own half, the full-back exchanged a quick one-two before driving down the right wing. He then picked out the perfect cut-back to give Josh Parsons a simple tap-in for his second of the game. 7-0
Warminster did manage to muster another strike a few minutes later when Seb Hounsell saw his goal-bound effort blocked by Bazley. However, as if to reiterate their dominance, Devizes broke straight up the pitch and, when the ball fell to Josh Parsons on the penalty spot, he spun sharply, firing low past Hotine to claim his hat-trick. 8-0.
With almost 20 minutes left on the clock, no-one would have bet against the home side reaching double figures at this point. However, credit to Warminster. They were beaten, well beaten, but they continued to keep working, and managed to stem the flow again.
That said, the misery for the visitors was not over. With two minutes left Devizes split their defence open once again. Substitute Finley Palmer chased down the ball with Callum Hotime also racing off his line. There was a sickening collision as the two players, both focussed on the ball, slid into the challenge. Hotine came off worse of the two, sparking a small melee in which Warminster's Saracen Yates was seen to push Palmer to the ground. When the referee regained control and Hotine had been treated, and was back on his feet, the referee issued a second yellow to Yates, reducing the visitors to 10 players for the final couple of minutes.
FT Devizes Town 8 Warminster Town 0. A comprehensive victory for Devizes who now have the second best goal difference in the division. Not the start to 2025 that Warminster would have wanted. They looked well off the pace but remain 10 points ahead of the bottom side, Gillingham Town, after their defeat at Keynsham, who are now just a point adrift of Warminster.
Devizes are back at home on Saturday as mid-table Shirehampton pay a visit. Devizes won 3-0 in the reverse fixture. After that The Town travel over to Radstock Town in the first meeting between the teams this season.
Warminster have a break this weekend before they welcome mid-table Avonmouth to Weymouth Street. This will be the first meeting this season. Then in midweek a crunch 6-pointer as Keynsham come to town. The sides drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture.
Kudos to the players on both teams, and the 133 present at the game, on a thoroughly miserable afternoon as far as the weather was concerned. Gusty cold wind and rain throughout the 90 minutes made it hard work, even more so for the hardy souls who made the trip up from Warminster.
Devizes Town: 1.Oakes, 2.Messenger, 14.Bowyer, 4.Skinner, 5.Hall-Cousins, 6.Bazley(c), 7.Swann, 17.Talmash, 9.Hopper, 10.Parsons, 19.Baker. Subs: 3.Anning, 13.Clatworth, 8.Walters, 21.Palmer, 16.Rogers
Warminster Town: 1.Hotine, 2.Walker-Wiltshire(c), 3.Worts, 4.Yates, 5.Stockley, 6.Bartley, 7.Wright, 8.Ball, 9.Gardner, 10.Hounsell, 11.Harris. Subs: 12.Johnson, 17.Benson, 14.Duck, 15.Green, 18.Collyer
As if that wasn't enough, with 53 on the clock, the hosts made it five with a goal that summed up the gulf between the sides. Warminster had the ball in the final third but their attack broke down when Bazley won the ball back. Unchallenged, he was allowed to stroll forward toward halfway, before slipping a pass through to the forward line. This, in torn, was laid off into the path of top-scorer Luke Hopper, who calmly stroked the ball home. 5-0. Way, way too easy from a Warminster perspective.
If the game was not over at half-time, it certainly was now and it looked to be a case of how many goals the home side wanted to help themselves to. Just past the hour mark they made it six when a cross-shot was slid in at the far post by Rhys Talmash. 6.0.
Then, with 22 minutes remaining, they added to their tally again. This time it was mainly down to the determination and running power of right-back Harry Messenger. Winning the ball deep in his own half, the full-back exchanged a quick one-two before driving down the right wing. He then picked out the perfect cut-back to give Josh Parsons a simple tap-in for his second of the game. 7-0
Warminster did manage to muster another strike a few minutes later when Seb Hounsell saw his goal-bound effort blocked by Bazley. However, as if to reiterate their dominance, Devizes broke straight up the pitch and, when the ball fell to Josh Parsons on the penalty spot, he spun sharply, firing low past Hotine to claim his hat-trick. 8-0.
With almost 20 minutes left on the clock, no-one would have bet against the home side reaching double figures at this point. However, credit to Warminster. They were beaten, well beaten, but they continued to keep working, and managed to stem the flow again.
That said, the misery for the visitors was not over. With two minutes left Devizes split their defence open once again. Substitute Finley Palmer chased down the ball with Callum Hotime also racing off his line. There was a sickening collision as the two players, both focussed on the ball, slid into the challenge. Hotine came off worse of the two, sparking a small melee in which Warminster's Saracen Yates was seen to push Palmer to the ground. When the referee regained control and Hotine had been treated, and was back on his feet, the referee issued a second yellow to Yates, reducing the visitors to 10 players for the final couple of minutes.
FT Devizes Town 8 Warminster Town 0. A comprehensive victory for Devizes who now have the second best goal difference in the division. Not the start to 2025 that Warminster would have wanted. They looked well off the pace but remain 10 points ahead of the bottom side, Gillingham Town, after their defeat at Keynsham, who are now just a point adrift of Warminster.
Devizes are back at home on Saturday as mid-table Shirehampton pay a visit. Devizes won 3-0 in the reverse fixture. After that The Town travel over to Radstock Town in the first meeting between the teams this season.
Warminster have a break this weekend before they welcome mid-table Avonmouth to Weymouth Street. This will be the first meeting this season. Then in midweek a crunch 6-pointer as Keynsham come to town. The sides drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture.
Kudos to the players on both teams, and the 133 present at the game, on a thoroughly miserable afternoon as far as the weather was concerned. Gusty cold wind and rain throughout the 90 minutes made it hard work, even more so for the hardy souls who made the trip up from Warminster.
Devizes Town: 1.Oakes, 2.Messenger, 14.Bowyer, 4.Skinner, 5.Hall-Cousins, 6.Bazley(c), 7.Swann, 17.Talmash, 9.Hopper, 10.Parsons, 19.Baker. Subs: 3.Anning, 13.Clatworth, 8.Walters, 21.Palmer, 16.Rogers
Warminster Town: 1.Hotine, 2.Walker-Wiltshire(c), 3.Worts, 4.Yates, 5.Stockley, 6.Bartley, 7.Wright, 8.Ball, 9.Gardner, 10.Hounsell, 11.Harris. Subs: 12.Johnson, 17.Benson, 14.Duck, 15.Green, 18.Collyer
The main stand
The Ground
Devizes Town have played at Nursteed Road, just to the South-East of the town centre, since 1965. The ground s accessed via an un-serviced road off Nursteed Road (watch out for the potholes) and entry can be paid for at the small hut just before the car park. There's a decent sized car park just before you get to the main pitch and alongside the warm-up area. The clubhouse is also on this side of the ground, although the players and officials changing is under the main stand on the opposite side. There is also a snack bar and toilets adjacent to the main stand. The pitch slopes slightly back toward the car park end of the ground.
Devizes Town have played at Nursteed Road, just to the South-East of the town centre, since 1965. The ground s accessed via an un-serviced road off Nursteed Road (watch out for the potholes) and entry can be paid for at the small hut just before the car park. There's a decent sized car park just before you get to the main pitch and alongside the warm-up area. The clubhouse is also on this side of the ground, although the players and officials changing is under the main stand on the opposite side. There is also a snack bar and toilets adjacent to the main stand. The pitch slopes slightly back toward the car park end of the ground.
The Programme
The Devizes programme is a 24-page magazine with a glossy, colour outer cover. This edition contained a message from one of the club's co-chairmen, Tom Perkins, pen pictures of the Devizes squad, a round-up of Western League results, fixtures and statistics and a double-page spread of statistics of Devizes Town's results so far including line-ups, attendances and scorers. There's also a message from first-team plater/manager Chris Allen as well as details of today' opponents, Warminster Town.
Ground Number: 431
Att: 133
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £1.00
The Devizes programme is a 24-page magazine with a glossy, colour outer cover. This edition contained a message from one of the club's co-chairmen, Tom Perkins, pen pictures of the Devizes squad, a round-up of Western League results, fixtures and statistics and a double-page spread of statistics of Devizes Town's results so far including line-ups, attendances and scorers. There's also a message from first-team plater/manager Chris Allen as well as details of today' opponents, Warminster Town.
Ground Number: 431
Att: 133
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £1.00
Nursteed Road
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