Salisburywalkingfootball

Salisbury Walking Football

Salisbury Walking Football organised an over 70’s Friendly on Tue 30 Jun 26 at The Salisbury and South Wilts Sports Club (SSWSC). 4 teams took part, Salisbury Whites, Salisbury Blues, Trowbridge and Calne.

The teams consisted of 6 aside with 6 x 15 minute games, with each team playing each other twice. The first 3 games were played using 3 touch, with the last 3 games playing multi-touch.

The Salisbury Blues consisting of an experimental team of Dave Dunford (G), Malcolm Sheryn, Chris Patching, Les Ward, Chris Thornton, Mick Nicholson, Reg Parmenter and Sean Larkin who had never played together competitively

The Salisbury Blues took on Calne, in the first game which finished in a 0-0 draw despite hitting the post twice. Their outstanding keeper saved numerous shots from Malcom S, Mick N and Chris P. Sean L and Les W kept their front men quiet with Dave D not having to save a shot in the whole game.

Second up was Trowbridge, again resulting in 0-0 draw, with a couple of subs Chris T and Reg P coming into the team. Again the team played well and blunted any attacking threat they had, however, they failed this time to trouble their keeper.

Their third game was against Salisbury Whites. Another 0-0 draw with neither team really standing out.

The fourth game, this time multi-touch against Calne ended in a 1-1 draw. Calne took an early lead, but heads didn’t drop and an equaliser with a lovely passing move resulting with Mick N scoring for the Blues.

Trowbridge was their fifth opponents and were a hard team to break down but again resilient in defence with Dave D pulling off a great save to keep the score level. Another draw. 0-0.

The Blues last game was against Salisbury Whites which a was an evenly contested game. The referee wrongly gave the Blues a corner, who sportingly played it back to the Whites keeper. The Whites keeper was certainly the busier of the two keepers keeping shots of Chris P and Mick N out. In the final seconds with the one of the Whites player playing up the touch line with the ball hitting two of the cones keeping it in play the Whites played on and scored the winner. A defeat 1-0.
For a team who had never played together, they played excellent football at times and were unlucky to get more points on the board

The Salisbury Whites team consisted of Rob Nicholls (G), Dave Clegg, David Adams, David Davidson, Dean Cresswell, Jim Ayers and Jon Freemantle, with Alan Tinsey giving support from the sidelines.

The Salisbury Whites first game was against Trowbridge who went ahead very early due to a bad pass across goal from David D which was intercepted, resulting in the only goal of the game. Despite several shots on target the Whites didn’t get a goal to level the score. A 1-0 defeat.

Second game was against Calne who fielded the strongest looking squad of the day with several County players, including a couple under 70. This seemed to have a positive with the Whites playing a much improved game, defending well communicating more, so performing better than the previous game. A fine goal from Jon Freemantle shooting low passed their keeper to go one up. Calne came back at the Whites, causing problems which almost resulted in an equaliser, however, good goalkeeping by Rob N made sure they didn’t score. A 1-0 win.

The third game was against Salisbury Blues, which ended in a 0-0 draw. The game was a pretty even affair, with each team cancelling out the other.

The fourth game, now multi-touch was again against Trowbridge. The Whites again gifted the opposition 2 goals. David A gave us a little hope by slotting a fine shot passed their keeper. The Whites then gave away a third when everyone stopped when the whistle blew except for Trowbridge who carried on playing. The whistle that was heard was from the other pitch. Despite protests to the referee, about hearing the other whistle and stopping, he waved it away, So a 3-1 loss.

The fifth game was against Calne and we played far better than against Trowbridge. The game ended 1-0 with an excellent goal again scored by Jon F.

The sixth and final game was against Salisbury Blues so bragging rights and everything to play for. Very much as the first game against the Blues it was evenly matched. The game was settled with a last gasp goal by David D, who astonished himself as well as the team by going on a solo run up the right hand side keeping the ball in play with the help of one two’s off the cones on the touch line, then cutting inside and slotting the ball past their goalie from an acute angle to seal a win which helped the Whites win the league. Up until this point their keeper had kept the Whites at bay with several good saves. No sooner than the Blues had kicked off, the ref blew his white. A 1-0 win.

The final table was as follows:
Team. P. W. D. L. GF. Pts
Salisbury Blues 6. 0. 5. 1. 1. 5
Salisbury Whites. 6. 3. 2. 1. 4. 10
Trowbridge. 6. 2. 4. 0. 4. 10
Calne. 6. 0. 4. 2. 1. 4

Although the Whites and Trowbridge both finished on 10 points, the winners were the Whites who won 3 games as opposed to Trowbridge who only won 2.

The day was rounded off with teams retiring to the SSWSC for drinks and cake. A very enjoyable day for everyone and thanks to all players from SWF for taking part, as both squads contributed in full and should be pleased with themselves. Thanks to the players from Calne and Trowbridge who travelled to Salisbury and also contributed to make this friendly enjoyable. Thanks also goes to the organisers of this event and the referees, Jeff (The Chef) Maund and Steve Riddell.

We look forward to further over 70’s matches and using these friendlies to hopefully kick start an over 70’s league in Wiltshire.

Well done to all.

Salisbury Walking Football over 60's Wiltshire League.

On Sunday 28 June on a much cooler day, perfect for football, Salisbury over 60s made the long trip to Chippenham.

They started the day with three 0-0 draws vs Calne, Highworth and Devizes with Simon Scott keeping it very tight at the back and Dave Dunford made some good saves.

At the other end Steve Horne got plenty of shots in, one of which hit the bar and bounced down.
Did it cross the line? Spectators on the sidelines said it did, however, the ref didn’t give it. Steve Farmer and Mick Nicholson also got some shots in.

In the fourth game against the top team Melksham, we conceded a goal from a corner. That was their only shot on target. Late on in the game Mark Potts hit the post.

The final game was against Swindon. We went 2-0 down, but came back into the game with Chris Patching scoring our first and only goal of the afternoon after a good move and pass from Simon Scott.

Although we didn't win it was an enjoyable afternoon and a good effort from all the lads.

Well Done Salisbury Walking Football.

Salisbury Walking Football - Wiltshire League

A very successful last weekend for Wiltshire with a significant contribution from Salisbury players. Wiltshire over 60s won their league with Roger Batchelor as manager and player, with Rory Heatley and Dean McMillan also taking part

Wiltshire over 65s went unbeaten all season and won the League with Mark Potts as captain. This was the inaugural Wessex League which is expanding next year with more teams and more age groups including over 70s.

Well done to all players and great for Salisbury WF

Salisbury Walking Football entered 2 teams into the Wiltshire over 65's League at Green Lane, Devizes on Thu 4 Jun 26.

The SALISBURY REDS started the second round of matches in second place, 2 points behind Highworth who they didn’t play last time out and 2 points ahead of third placed Swindon.

Their target was not to lose to Highworth (TICK), not to lose to Swindon (TICK) and then with our superior goal difference to try and pick up 2 more points than Highworth (READ ON).

In the first match against Highworth we stuck steadfastly to our defensive duties and held out to the last seconds of the match when George Ryan stuck a leg out to block a shot on the goal line and got a gentle nudge from their striker causing him to stumble into the box to concede a penalty. Fortunately we had the superb Chris Brown in goal who saved the penalty which was the last kick of the game. Final score a 0-0 draw job done!

Next up were Swindon and again a great defensive team effort and some great saves from Chris B in goal earned us another 0-0 draw - job done again. (Highworth also drew their second match 0-0 with Salisbury Whites - so a big thank you to them!)

Third up were Melksham and this time we had a bit more freedom to move forward into attacking positions. Mark Potts intercepted a ball and glided forward to slot home the first. Dean McMillan played a ball through to Chris Patching to score the second. Dean M smashed a shot from range against the crossbar and then played a great ball through for Mark P to score his second goal. Final score a 3-0 win. (Highworth beat Calne 2-0 in their third match.)

Our fourth match was against Calne. Off to a great start. Bob Nadin smashed a shot against the post. Steve Jackson tried a shot from distance. Mark P had a shot which hit the post and it rebounded out to Dean M who slotted it away. 1-0. Later on Mark P played a lovely ball through for Dean M to score his second. A Groundhog moment nearly occurred when Mark P blocked a shot, but this time the deflection flew safely outside the post rather than into our goal like it did last month! Final score a 2-0 win.
(Highworth drew with Trowbridge 0-0 in their fourth match.)

Going in to our last match we were top of the league on goal difference as follows:
Salisbury Reds - Played 9, Points 19, GD +11
Swindon - Played 9, Points 19, GD +9
Highworth - Played 9, Points 19, GD +7

Trowbridge were our last opponents of the day and we completely dominated the game with 7 or 8 shots on goal all saved, blocked or just missing the target, restricting them to one long range shot that Chris B saved with his head!
Highworth won their last match against Swindon 2-0 so we ended the day still in second place and still two points behind Highworth with the mighty Trowbridge getting 0-0 draws against both of us.

However, after two rounds of matches we remain unbeaten, have scored 12 goals and only conceded 1 thanks in no small part to Chris Brown’s excellent 5 out of 5 clean sheets today and another great all round effort and performance from all seven in the squad, who were: Chris Brown (G), Steve Jackson (D), Bob Nadin (D & F), George Ryan (LM), Mark Potts (CM) 2 goals, 1 assist, Chris Patching (RM) 1 goal, Dean McMillan (F) 2 goals, 2 assists.

The SALISBURY WHITES started later in the day with a bye and were consequently quite drenched by the time they hit the pitch. Their first match against Highworth ended in a credible draw, with a steadfast defence frustrating the league leaders.

Trowbridge were next up and in a tight game we created chances but a combination of heavy rain and very slippy surface allowed one of their few shots to slip through Rob Nicholls close to the final whistle. With Rob N at the back and Chris Davey-McLean up front the passing game was good, but we felt robbed at the final whistle.

Swindon followed and we were well beaten 2-0. Missing a penalty didn't help as it could have levelled it to 1 all, however, we let it slip when we gave away a penalty for stepping in the area.

Melksham followed and we were much the stronger team and dominated the game. A great passing move from Paul Daniel in defence to Chris D-M allowed a killer pass through to the overlapping Paul Brewer to score a great goal. 1-0.

Last game was against Calne and an even game with Rob Sheppard at the back holding up and frustrating a very good centre forward, however, one turn and a shot late on changed another evenly balanced game. A 1-0 defeat

Given the horrible conditions it was not the easiest day but comfort from some great passing and moves and well over a dozen strong chances forcing great goalkeeping and unlucky shooting. A great all round effort and performance from all eight in the squad who were: Rob Nicholls (G), Ken Hardy, Paul Brewer, 1 goal, Dean Cresswell, Chris Davey-McLean, Paul Daniel, Rob Sheppard, Andy Jackson

Latest League Table attached.

Three Salisbury Walking Football players represented Wiltshire in the County FA National Finals in Birmingham having qualified as regional winners. Dean MacMillan, Paul Daniel and Mark Potts played in the over 60s coming third overall. Lancashire we’re the county. Well done guys. Great to see SWF be represented.

KINGSLEY FEWINS IS 80.

Kings was born on 7th June 1946, 2 years, and 1 day after D Day as he is partial to pointing out. Gentle man, veteran chef, and Spurs fanatic (the only way is up Kings). He joins our illustrious band of octogenarians.

Kings, we know you have been carer in chief for Hannah as she recovers from complex knee surgery. Enjoy your upcoming holiday.

Happy birthday, and congratulations from all of your friends at Salisbury Walking Football and beyond.

Keep playing the beautiful game.

A nice memento from Barry Town. A lovely gesture.