Swindon Walking Football Club

WFA National Cup South West Region Round 2 – Men’s Over 60s

𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗗 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗗

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟯-𝟬 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗻

Even when Clevedon Walking Footballers trailed 3-0 midway through the second half, they were still very much in this contest and fought to the very end, such was their commitment to the cause.

However, it was Swindon who had too much power in front of goal who came away the victors, to all but erase the memory of bowing out to Clevedon on penalties in last year’s South West Regional Final.

Swindon had done their homework on Clevedon and targeted Mark Pannett and Neil Bland as two key players to deny time and space.

Clevedon had designs of their own and the normally attacking Carlo Cinquegrani had to turn to defensive duties for large parts of the game to keep the lively Matt Gillett at bay.

Swindon found themselves on the wrong end of the referee’s whistle in the early stages, but adapted quickly and over the full duration of the game, the boys in red not only drew the most fouls, but committed fewer offences, which proved telling in the end as the rhythm of the game swung heavily in Swindon’s favour during the final 10 minutes.

Swindon’s opener came courtesy of Keith Walker, who burst through the middle to toe-poke under the impressive Nigel Clarke after good work on the right flank from lone wolf Paul Watling.

Swindon doubled their advantage soon after with John Floyd advancing from defence to apply the finishing touch to a 3-man Swindon move.

Clevedon were unruffled and stuck to their game plan and when Swindon lost focus for a brief moment, Clevedon fired a warning shot across their bows.

Swindon keeper Ian Wilkinson was tested to the full when a rasping drive took a deflection off defender John Floyd with the stopper just managing to get a fingertip to turn it around the post.

𝗛𝗧: 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟮-𝟬 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗻

No changes at half-time with too much at stake with the next goal proving crucial either way.

Ian Wilkinson was called upon once more and advanced to the edge of his box to smother a Clevedon shot that looked destined for the net.

Having played provider in the first half, Paul Watling’s bullet toe-poke into the top corner was just reward for his evening’s work and the signal to make way for duo Dave Heskett and Michael Cox to come on and provide fresh legs and a different dynamic.

Lewis Padfield, who had been preoccupied with Clevedon’s Nigel Woods for most of the game, finally broke free and came close to adding another with a smart shot on the turn.

Dave Heskett’s ability to calm the game down and force Clevedon into chasing the ball proved telling as the Somerset side began to tire and with no substitutes of their own, the option of fresh impetus was denied them and Swindon’s unbroken series of passing over a 5-minute spell meant no way back for the seasiders.

An excellent game from two committed teams, expertly refereed with handshakes, smiles and well wishes on all fronts.

Swindon will now face either Eastleigh Walking Football Club or Portsmouth Walking Football Club away in round 3, which has to be played between 13th June – 5th July (exact date and venue to be agreed).

For more information on the 𝗪𝗙𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝘂𝗽, follow this link: https://thewfa.co.uk/walking-football-national-cup/

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀

Ian Wilkinson (GK)
John Floyd © (1)
Carlo Cinquegrani
Keith Walker (1)
Paul Watling (1)
Lewis Padfield
Michael Cox
Dave Heskett

𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 / 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿: Mark Gray

𝗔𝘁𝘁: 2

WFA National Cup South West Region Round 1 – Men’s Over 60s

𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟯-𝟬 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗺

A 9-man squad took to the field at Moredon Sporting Hub as they overcame Keynsham Walking Football in the opening round of WFA National Cup.

And the Bath and North East Somerset side entered this fixture as slight favourites having finished a place higher than Swindon in the Gloucester League and held a better track record when the two sides have gone head-to-head in the last two seasons.

But it was Swindon who were quickest out of the blocks and once they wrestled the ball from Keynsham, they started to dominate possession and it wasn’t long before Swindon began to pepper the Keynsham goal with clear cut chances.

On Keynsham’s own admission, the damage was done in the early stages with striker Paul Watling scoring on his Over 60s debut with a toe-punt finish.

Swindon made it 2-0 soon after with a text book move involving 4 outfield players with Keith Walker slamming home.

The onslaught did not stop with Carlo Cinquegrani and Nigel Loveless both finding themselves in plenty of space on the left flank, but the Keynsham stopper was in inspired form to deny Swindon a third goal.

𝗛𝗧: 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟮-𝟬 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗺

Keynsham appeared to have stemmed the tide and came out quickly in the second period in a do-or-die bid to claw their way back.

And for a brief period, Swindon found themselves on the rack, made worse by a number of unforced errors.

However, Captain Ian James was robust in defence and when called upon, keeper Ian Wilkinson was just as adept with his feet as he is with his hands.

Fresh legs in the form of Lewis Padfield helped contain the threat posed by Keynsham, who by now had players clocking up 3 personal fouls, resulting in a 2-minute blue card (sin bin).

By contrast, Swindon substituted their players the moment they reached 2 personal fouls in order to maintain their full quota of players.

And whilst Swindon could not capitalise on the extra man, this effectively scuppered Keynsham’s plans to make a comeback.

And when Michael Cox and Dave Heskett made their appearance in the final third, Keynsham had something new to contend with.

Smart link-up play between the two almost led to a goal, but Michael Cox did have his way to continue his rich vein of form when pouncing on a loose ball to put the final nail in Keynsham’s coffin.

A resounding win for Swindon against a very good and sporting Keynsham side, but this win runs much deeper than the 9-man squad on show, with backroom staff and supporters of the club all playing their part.

Swindon now face Clevedon Walking Footballers at home in round 2, which has to be played on or before 31st May (date and venue to be agreed).

For more information on the 𝗪𝗙𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝘂𝗽, follow this link: https://thewfa.co.uk/walking-football-national-cup/

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀

Ian Wilkinson (GK)
Ian James ©
Carlo Cinquegrani
Keith Walker (1)
Nigel Loveless
Paul Watling (1)
Lewis Padfield
Michael Cox (1)
Dave Heskett

𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 / 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿: Mark Gray
𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿: Mandy Marie Watkins

Wiltshire Walking Football League 2026 Round 2 – Men’s Over 60s

𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗔 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘

It is when your best performance resulted in the only defeat of the day. Swindon slip one place to third on goal difference behind pacesetters Melksham and second place Highworth.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟬-𝟭 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵

Highworth avenged their first round defeat against Swindon by the same scoreline.

Highworth had one chance and you could argue that it wasn’t even a chance, but if anyone is capable of stealing the show, then it’s the mercurial Mel Miller.

Yes, his thunderous drive took a deflection, but take nothing away from his wonder strike that beat the outstretched John Kirkman.

Swindon to their credit stayed calm and did not panic, carving out genuine good chances of their own. Carlo Cinquegrani and Nigel Loveless brought out the very best from Highworth keeper Steve Bell.

The influential Alan Spring took control of proceedings in the closing stages as Highworth held on.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟭-𝟬 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀

Hard to put a gloss on this one, but the one good move saw Ian Griesel bag his first goal in Swindon colours with a laces through-the-ball strike with ‘GOAL’ emblazoned all over it.

The right-sided midfielder capped a good performance by keeping the energetic Oli Stagg in check.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟬-𝟬 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗺

Swindon answered their remit to put an end to Melksham’s winning streak and should have won it when Nigel Loveless’ strike looked destined to cross the line, but somehow the keeper kept it out without knowing too much about it.

At the back, captain Alphie Archer looked solid. A good performance from Swindon, who shaded it on the balance of play, but Melksham remain unbeaten and yet to concede a goal - impressive.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟬-𝟬 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗻𝗲

Swindon will take some comfort that they managed half the game on 3 running offences and avoided a fatal fourth, but will want to address the issue itself.

Mark Kirkman showed no brotherly love towards Swindon’s keeper as he went all out for the winner, but brother John pulled rank with an accomplished save.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟯-𝟬 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆 – 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿

Swindon finished on a high without kicking a ball after Salisbury’s no-show led to an automatic 3-0 victory to Swindon.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝟮: https://tournifyapp.com/live/wwfl26/standings

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀

John Kirkman (GK)
Alphonso Archer ©
Carlo Cinquegrani
Dave Heskett
Nigel Loveless
Ian Griesel (1)
Marcus Hooper

𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 / 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿: Mark Gray and John Floyd

Wiltshire Walking Football League 2026 Round 2 – Men’s Over 50s

𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗘’𝗦

Swindon Over 50s cemented their lead at the top of the table after two rounds with 3 wins and 2 draws, but didn’t have it all their own way.

Richie Dennis burst onto the walking football stage with two goals and an assist on his competitive debut with another Richard, this time Walsh finding the top corner, whilst ice man Rich Bailey was majestic in defence.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟮-𝟬 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗺

There was no repeat of the stuttering start that featured in round 1 with Swindon dominating proceedings with a calm and measured performance.

Swindon bided their time and an interception from debutant Richie Dennis allowed front man Gavin Barron to break the deadlock with a real poacher’s goal.

Swindon demonstrated just how far their game has developed by forcing Melksham into committing two running offences in quick succession, which saw their opponents tally rise from a comfortable two to four and an automatic penalty.

Captain Neil Symes made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Prior to this, Swindon were hovering on 3 running offences, but a combination of discipline and game management was enough to see them over the line.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟭-𝟬 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗺

Buoyed by his assist in the opener, Richie Dennis went one better this time with the only goal of the game. Swindon were guilty of trying to win two or three nil when really there was no need and as a result started to rack up running offences and needlessly lose both possession and territory.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟬-𝟬 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲

Stand-in keeper Paul Watling had been relatively untroubled in the opening two fixtures, but from hereon in he was kept active and rose to the occasion with a succession of outstanding saves.

At the other end, Frome’s stopper was in equally fine form as Swindon pushed hard for the winner. Swindon’s best chance fell to Gavin Barron on the edge of the D, but with the keeper in close attendance there was no way through.

Stalemate and goalless against a very good Frome outfit is not a bad result.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟮-𝟭 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲

Swindon did this the hard way in a game where they were slow to get out of the blocks and it was no real surprise when Trowbridge took the lead.

Past performances are no indicator of the future and Swindon were arguably guilty of thinking that their first round drubbing of their opponent would somehow repeat itself.

The Trowbridge No 4 was pulling all the strings in the opening exchanges and moved neatly into shooting range following a neat one-two and this time Paul Watling could do nothing to stop his low drive, as Swindon conceded their only goal in 10 games of football.

Trowbridge will be kicking themselves after their defender showed too much of the ball to Richie Dennis, whose quick reflexes allowed him to pounce with a first time strike into the bottom corner to level the score.

Swindon’s turnaround was complete when Richard Walsh picked out the top corner when the ball was nudged to him from a free kick.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟯-𝟬 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 - 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿

A no-show from Highworth Reds meant a 3-0 victory to Swindon.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟬-𝟬 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀

This contest is already developing into a mouth-watering fixture, where both sides are determined to secure the bragging rights.

Swindon came closest to sealing victory following a DOGSO and a blue card sin bin for Highworth.

Neil Symes’ penalty rebounded off the post to give Highworth a lucky escape. A good display from both sides with Swindon edging it on performance levels.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝟮: https://tournifyapp.com/live/wwfl26/standings

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀

Paul Watling (GK)
Dave Howell
Rich Bailey
Richard Walsh (1)
Bruno Rodrigues
Neil Symes © (1)
Richie Dennis (2)
Gavin Barron (1)

𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 / 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿: Dave Howell and Mark Gray

Gloucestershire FA Walking Football League 2025-26 Round 4 – Men’s Over 50s

𝟱 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦, 𝟰 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗦, 𝟯 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗦, (𝟮 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗦) 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝟭 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘

Coach Paddy Armstrong took 9 players with him, including debutant Rich Bailey for round 4 of the Gloucester League and after a stuttering start, the boys did not disappoint.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟮-𝟬 𝗟𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗾

Swindon were camped in Lebeq’s own half for almost the entire game, with the Bristol outfit making only the occasional foray into Swindon territory.

Despite their dominance, Swindon struggled to carve out any clear cut chances and it was only when the ball went wide, creating space in the middle for Gavin Barron to unleash a low drive that broke the deadlock.

Paul Watling put the tie beyond Lebeq’s reach with a smart turn and shot into the far corner.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟬-𝟬 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗻

This one was about as dour as the score line suggests. Both sides were robust in the tackle with Swindon taking the game to Clevedon, whose defence had enough about them to s***f out all bar one Swindon attack.

When Gavin Barron managed to evade the attention of his defender to go clear on goal, the Clevedon keeper anticipated correctly to parry the ball away, low to his right.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟮-𝟬 𝗪𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗻

Debutant Rich Bailey was asked to play up front in this one and soon found the net with the outside of his boot.

Had Wotton’s number 10 bided his time for a fraction of a second and allowed the ball to clear the area, then his ‘goal’ would have stood.

Swindon made certain late on when Keith Walker looked to have been boxed-in in the far corner, but somehow managed to elude his two markers before slipping the ball to the unmarked Bruno Rodrigues for a routine finish.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝟭-𝟬 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗺 & 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱 (𝗥𝗲𝗱)

Don’t be fooled by league tables and despite Hanham & Kingswood’s (Red) lowly position, they provided stiff opposition and conjured the best chance from the 4 opposing teams, with Swindon keeper Jason Brown at full stretch and needing every fibre and sinew in his body to pull off a stunning reflex save with the game poised at 0-0.

Swindon regained their composure and were rewarded for their perseverance with Gavin Barron the scorer in the closing stages.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

Swindon have improved with each and every round and will want to cement their 4th place in the final set of fixtures on Sunday, 15th March.

However, with two of their 4 fixtures against table toppers and champions elect Weston and high-flyers Caldicot, the boys from SN1 know they will have their work cut out.

League Table: https://fulltime.thefa.com/index.html?league=822236769 -2

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀

Jason Brown (GK)
Tony Rodrigues
Mark Gray
Keith Walker
Neil Symes (C)
Rich Bailey (1)
Bruno Rodrigues (1)
Paul Watling (1)
Gavin Barron (2)

𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 / 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿: Paddy Armstrong