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This Saturday, 12th June, sees the final game of the Shield section of the Cricklade Supreme Trophy & Shield 2021 when Stratton United take on Swindon AFC. 

Those of you who have been following this competition will know that Base of the Pyramid has been involved from the very start, attempting to promote the games and keep the results and fixtures website up to date as much as possible. It's been great fun and, what's more, we still have a semi-final and the final of the Trophy competition still to come.

So, the whet your appetite for Saturday afternoon, here's some facts and figures about the two teams and their progress to the Final.

Stratton United played last season in the Stroud & District League Division 4 (Step 13) their first season in that league after spending many years in the Cirencester & District set-up. In the group phase of this tournament they won one game, defeating Kingswood Reserves 3-1, whilst going down 3-2 at Old Richians and 2-0 at Wickwar. They have improved as the tournament progressed, beating Minety Development 4-0 in the Last 16 stage and following that up with a hard-fought 2-1 defeat over Ashton Keynes in the Quarter-Final. Then it was a return match against group rivals Kingswood Reserves in the Semi-Final, a game that BotP was at (Four By Four), in which they romped home with a massive 8-0 victory.
Players to look out for are Sylvester Anaisie leading their attack and top scorer Joe Brett who can run all day and has the ability to take players on and run with the ball.

Swindon AFC from the Swindon & District League Division One (Step 9) were riding high at the top of the league when their season was interrupted. They had a tough group in which every other team was higher in the pyramid than they were. They failed to take a point in the group, losing 5-4 at Nalgo (Only Ref In Swindon?), 3-1 at Purton and 3-1 again against Redhouse (Swindon Resistance Torpedoed By Subs). However, they gave a good account of themselves in all three games and took some confidence into the knockout phase. Disappointingly their Last 16 opponents, Swindon Centurions, pulled out giving them a bye to the Quarter-Final. This is where The Maroons showed their spirit and quality, defeating Step 7 Ludgershall 4-0 (Marooned) on their own patch. They then went on to come from 2-0 down at home to Jovial Monk in the Semi-Final, finally running out 4-2 winners in what was a pulsating game (Tom Tom Tom Club).
Tom Whitham is their leading scorer in the competition with six, including a hat-trick in the Semi-Final, with five other players chipping in during the tournament.

It's going to be a very interesting Final with a number of match-ups across the pitch where individual battles could play a big part in where the trophy finally ends up. Personally, I can't wait for kick-off.
Good luck to both teams.
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Now that we know all four of the Cricklade Shield Semi-Finalists, I thought it would be the perfect time to write a little preview of the games. I have already seen two of the semi-finalists, Jovial Monk and Swindon AFC, play more than once in the competition. However, having not seen either Kingswood Reserves or Stratton United play (I plan to fix this on Wednesday), I can only base assumptions on their form during the group and knockout phases. Luckily for me, they met in a group game, which gives a little indication. Having said that, in a one-off Semi-Final, form can sometimes go out of the window.

Let's take that Semi-Final first. Stratton United of the Stroud & District League Division 4 (Step 13) v Kingswood Reserves, Stroud & District Division 7 (Step 16). As I said, I have not seen either of these sides play, so I am very much looking forward to being at the game this coming Wednesday evening. Stratton, you have to say, hold all of the cards in terms of playing three divisions higher than their opponents and having already beaten Kingswood 3-1 in the group stage. Then again, in the last 16, Kingswood ran out 2-0 winners over Kingshill Sports who also play in the Stroud & District League, in Division 8, two divisions above Kingswood, so they have form in beating higher ranked opponents. They progressed through the Quarter-Final by means of a 2-0 walkover after Redhouse Vets conceded the game. Stratton defeated Kingswood's league-mates Minety Development in the last 16 before also creating something of a cupset in the Quarter-Final when they recorded a 2-1 win over Step 8 side Ashton Keynes.
With a place in the Final at stake, I am expecting a competitve game on Wednesday.

The second Semi-Final features two teams that have made a big impression on me in this competition. Jovial Monk are the only Sunday league team in the competiton but they have already shown that they are more than capable of mixing it with the Saturday teams. This was clearly demonstrated when they held Step 8 side Nalgo Sports to a 1-1 draw, before beating them in a penalty shootout in their last 16 tie. Their thoroughly professional performance in seeing off Siddington 5-1 in the Quarter-Final should also serve as a warning, especially the fact that they were annoyed to concede a late goal even though the game was already in the bag. Swindon AFC, who I saw take apart Step 7 Ludgershall Sports on Saturday, will no doubt be up for anything thrown at them in the Semi-Final. Their performace at the weekend was very impressive indeed, completely domintaing a team two divisions above them and, although they did not win a group match, their dogged display at Redhouse showed that they can also dig in if need be.

So, who's going to progress to the Final? Well, to be honest, your guess is as good as mine. Stratton should be favourites against Kingswood Reserves but after last weekend's three underdog wins, who knows how it will go. I'm looking forward to watching it unfold on Wednesday evening. As for the other game, I certainly would not like to call that one, but I do think it will also be a game well worth watching. Date and time will be announced on the #BotP Twitter feed wjhen known.

Good luck to all involved. Whoever gets to the Final, I hope I will be there to see it.

I was going to write a little 'story so far' piece at the end of the group stage, but the last 16 matches came on me so quickly, I never go around to it. So, as we head into the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals of both the Cup and Shield, I thought it might be a good time to recap and reflect, whilst looking forward to the prospect of some great games to come in following weeks.

I managed to get to five games during the group stage and so far, I have taken in one of the knockout phase games. Two things have struck me at all of the games I have seen. First of all the games have been played in an exceptional spirit. Maybe everyone is just happy to get back playing competitive football, but I have hardly seen any bad tackles and few complaints to the referee. A refreshing change from the pro game at the moment. Secondly, and possibly the thing that has caught my eye the most, is the overall standard of football. This, across the board, has been very high. I have seen games between committed teams, seen some excellent build-up play, dogged defending, and fantastic goals. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every game I have been to so far. It would be impossible to say which game was my favourite, but some of the standout incidents have been:

• Scott Smith grabbing all five goals as Chesterton beat Jovial Monk 5-1. Despite his scoring feat, the goal of the game was scored by Jovial's Number 7, a superb 25 yard dipping drive.
• The array of fantastic strikes on display in the Nalgo Sports v Swindon AFC game when both sides decided to have their own goal of the season competition.
• A lovely sunny & warm day out at Minety where both the home side and visitors Tredworth showed us some great football. Thanks also for my Minety mug (it is in regular use).
• Swindon's fantastic performance at Redhouse, where they held the group leaders for 80 minutes before finally succumbing to a couple of late goals.
• Lambourn's blistering start at Stanford where they scored within 15 seconds of kick-off and were two up inside three minutes.
• Probably the best 0-0 game I've had the pleasure to witness as Hatherop and Redhouse went head to head in the Last 16. Redhouse's football in the first half was a joy to watch at times only to be denied by a determined Hatherop side, who played their way back into the game and won on penalties. 

So, what's to come? There's still one Last 16 game to play in the Shield, Ludgershall Sports take on Quedgeley Wanderers Reserves on Saturday. The winner of that game will face Swindon AFC in Quarter-Finals. Elsewhere in the Shield, Stratton, who beat Ashton Keynes 2-1, and Kingswood Reserves who were granted a home win after Redhouse Vets pulled out, are through to the Semi-Finals where they face each other. The remaining Quarter-Final sees Jovial Monk face Siddington, a game that Base of the Pyramid will hopefully be covering on Saturday.

In the Cup, the Quarter-Final ties are all yet to be played. Minety, who have already put out a team from four divisions above their level in the last 16 now face Purton who are five divisions above them. Wickwar Wanderers from the Stroud & District Division 1 face Cricklade Town Reserves, looking to also overcome a three division disadvantage. Shrewton United of Step 7, take on Step 8 side Hatherop and there's an all Wiltshire Senior League clash between Odd Down Reserves and Malmesbury Victoria Development. 

It's impossible to even guess who is going to come out on top in either competition but, if the groups were anything to go by, there's plenty of exciting football to come.

Back in action in the Cricklade cup this Saturday as Minety find themselves up against a team 2 leagues higher.


Quedgeley are a well organised team and looked the part for the first ten mins as they dominated play. Minety soon found there feet as the midfield dynamo of Bobby, Lew and Adam started to play with the confidence we know they're capable of. This soon resulted in chances with the Minety Strikers having chance after chance and could of easily found themselves 2 up in the 25th minute. Not long before half time the ever lively Shakey found himself in the box to drive a shot into the corner to take the Geese into halftime 1 up.

The only negative the experienced Topping off with his usual ankle issues replaced by lidds.

2nd half was a more even match as Quedgeley scraped hard to make a game of it, equalizing after some neat play with 20 to go. This seemed to galvanize Minety especially MOM winger Jethro who picked the ball up on the left, cut in on his right and drove home an 18 yard peach into the corner to win the game.

Minety currently sit top of the league with a game to play.

Best of luck to Quedgeley, great lads and a decent team.

​Football has finally returned to Minety after months of lockdown, local club Cricklade hosting a cup competition packed full of decent teams. 
Minety V Siddy used to be a regular fixture back in the Ciren league days and it was great to host our local rivals again. 
Minety started strongly, passing and moving the ball around as if they never stopped playing. Shakey with one of his trademark crossed found King with a pin point header after 5 mins. 
This set the tone, and within 25 mins MInety found themselves 3-0 up with some classy finishes from the Pike and Harper duo up top. 
The last 10 mins of the half got a bit scrappy and to be fair to Siddy they battled hard to make a game if it. Mistake at the back resulted in a classy finish chip over the Minety keeper to make it 3 -1 at the break.
Sensing lack of fitness and a few niggles subs where brought on to freshen it up. This pushed Minety on, wingers causing all sorts of issues with instructions to take players on. Shakey and Jethro 2 stand out performers. 
Lovely football on show played in the right manner from both teams. Minetys fitness and fresh legs stepped up a gear and towards the end of the game dominated possession. 
Good luck to Siddy we wish them all the best. 
Minety Goals 
Danny Pike ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Josh Harper ⚽️⚽️
Lewis King ⚽️
Jethro Kingsley ⚽️
Bob Collier ⚽️

Next up Quedgley who are higher league opposition.