This Time Next Year Rodney

This time last year I had just finished the group previews for the Cricklade Supreme Trophy & Shield 2021, #CSTP21. We didn't know what a fantastic competition this was going to be but I think it is safe to say that it was just what everyone needed following a second abandoned league season. After the group stage the competition split into two separate sections, the Trophy for the top two in each group, and the Shield for the remaining teams. This was designed to get as many games under the belt for all of the clubs. After over two months of excellent entertainment it came down to two Final games. The Trophy was to be contested by Chesterton FC of the Stroud & District League and Malmesbury Victoria Development from the Wiltshire Senior League with the Stroud side winning a penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw. In the Shield we had Swindon AFC of the Swindon & District League taking on Stratton United of the Stroud & District League. Again, it was a cracking game with Swindon just about edging it 3-2 in a game that swung backwards and forwards like a pendulum. Both Finals were an absolute credit to the leagues involved and a fitting end to a fantastic tournament. 
Both Chesterton and Swindon also had new leagues to look forward to in the 2021-22 season, Swindon winning promotion to the Premier League and Chesterton moving to a new league all together, the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division 2. Both moves were the equivalent of one step up the ladder.

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​We'll start with Chesterton. Beating a Step 7 team in the CSTP21 Final was a superb result and came on the back of two excellent but truncated league seasons. In 2019-20 Chesterton were top of Division Two with just a single defeat against their name and were 11 points ahead when the season was ended prematurely. They gained promotion to Division One and fared even better. When the 2020-21 season ended abruptly they had a 100% record, albeit after just eight games. Nevertheless, going into #CSTP21 they had suffered just a single defeat in two years. After their #CSTP21 victory they progressed up the leagues again, entering the Gloucestershire Northern League at Division Two and taking their place alongside some well established Step 9 sides. At the time of writing Chesterton have nine games remaining and are sitting just below the halfway mark on 29 points from their 21 games. They are in no danger of dropping into the relegation mire and look set for a very creditable mid-table spot. It's fair to say that it has been an up and down season for Chesterton, who didn't manage to string consecutive wins together until January when they saw off Barnwood United and Lydbrook Athletic in the space of 7 days. However, they have achieved this feat again in their last two matches before writing, winning 1-0 at Bibury (the team directly above them in the table), and 1-0 at home to Leonard Stanley. I haven't managed to see them play this season but I certainly hope to get to a game soon. They were a joy to watch in the #CSTP21 and I am very much looking forward to seeing them play again.

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Trophy Winners - Chesterton FC

​Swindon AFC were the side that I saw the most during #CSTP21, a total of five games. They lost the first two games, but both games were hugely entertaining with The Maroons playing their part in both. Then came their superb 4-0 win at Step 7 Ludgershall Sports. Despite the fact that they went on to win the Shield this, in my opinion, was their finest result of the competition. They were brilliant on the day. Executing an almost flawless game plan to completely destroy a team two divisions above them. Then came a pulsating semi-final with our Swindon Sunday League friends, Jovial Monk. A game that had everything. This was then followed by another hugely entertaining Final with Stratton United that saw both teams go behind and pull the game back before Swindon edged it 3-2. Following their success and like Chesterton, Swindon began the 2021-22 season in a new division one higher than previously. In the case of The Maroons it was the Swindon & District Premier League. Swindon lost their opening game 4-2 at Nine Elms but then embarked on a run of three straight wins which saw them settle into life in the top flight. They went on to win more than they lost and secured fourth place in the league. However, the tale does not end there, and unfortunately it does not end happily. With one league game remaining Swindon issued a statement that they were folding. This came hot on the heels of fellow Premier League side Hatherop (another side I watched during #CSTP21) also throwing in the towel. Both of these teams will be a great loss to the league.
On a personal note, all five games in which I saw Swindon play were highly entertaining. The club was always happy to share their team sheet with me and the genuinely seemed to be a good bunch. They had a good side too, and there's no doubt that their players will be picked up by other teams around the area. I do hope that no other Swindon & District sides follow The Maroons and 'Rop out of the door. Last Summer's trips down the A420 were great fun and I am hoping to take in more SDFL games whenever possible.

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Shield Winners - Swindon AFC

​If you want to re-live any of the #CSTP21 games mentioned above, here are the links to the blogs:

Chesterton 5 Jovial Monk 2
Semi-Final - Chesterton 6 Hatherop 0
Final - Chesterton 3 Malmesbury Vics Dev. 3 (9-8)

Nalgo Sports 5 Swindon AFC 4
Redhouse 3 Swindon AFC 1
Ludgershall Sports 0 Swindon AFC 4
Semi-Final - Jovial Monk 2 Swindon AFC 4
Final Swindon AFC 3 Stratton United 2