60s GFA WFL : The Conclusion
A beautiful, sunny Sunday morning and an early start for the conclusion of the 60s Gloucestershire FA WFL 2023/24.
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| Keith B, Rob S, Laurence E. Andy G, Jon H, Jeff D, Abbi H. |
What a finish to the season for the Bs!
Three comfortable wins, with two narrow defeats, sent us rocketing up to ninth in the table.
The story of the campaign had been of losses by solitary goals to inferior opposition. Today, we reaped the rewards of teamwork, skill and discipline.
The results were; beat Hereford one goal to nil, beat Abbeymead Yellows two one, and beat Bishops Cleeve one nil. The two final games were lost by single goals. We should have drawn with Keynsham, but Weston-Super-Mare are league champions and we did well to keep it close.
The team was Rob in goal, Jeff and Jon in defence, Andy and Abbi in midfield and Keith up front. Jon had played through an injured knee but was called away during the third game. We were all very grateful that Laurence had answered the call for last minute reinforcements which assured us of the six.
Despite Jon’s coaching and vocal encouragement there were defensive errors - risky passes from the back that were easily intercepted, leaving attackers unmarked. Rob in goal was called on many times to rescue the situation including a memorable penalty save. He inured a finger, was hit in the face but always kept his cap on!
In the hot weather and without substitutes the midfield had to work very hard. Andy, and later Laurence, worked tirelessly and skilfully to keep possession and mange the games when we took the lead. They also reinforced the defence when we were under pressure.
Keith’s deadly finishing resulted in three excellent goals. He also did more than his share of defending. Having a proven and confident goal scorer boosts the morale of the team, you always think you have a chance of winning.
It is hard to overstate the impact that Abbi has had on the team. He scored a goal and calmly controlled the midfield, always available to receive the ball and find the right pass.
Hopefully those who played on Sunday and throughout the year will be available again next season.
Abbeymead Rovers 'Yellows' 1 v 2 Calne Town B
Bishops Cleeve 0 v 1 Calne Town B
Hereford 0 v 1 Calne Town B
Keynsham Town 1 v 0 Calne Town B
Weston-Super-Mare 1 v 0 Calne Town B
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| Phil C, Charlie N, Graham N. Paul W, Chris W, Mark K. |
Our side for the day was Charlie in goal, Chris Weston and Phil in defence, Mark and Graham in midfield and Paul in attack. We were down to the bare bones with no substitutes available and on a very hot day that was some effort.
In our first game we deservedly beat Warmley 2-0 with two well worked goals from Mark and Graham, but in truth could have scored 6 with Paul hitting the post and their keeper making several good saves. Charlie in goal was largely untroubled.
Then we beat Clevedon 1-0 with Mark scoring the winner in a somewhat niggly match against a very physical side. It was appropriate that the goal came from a free kick after yet another foul challenge on Paul! Charlie did come to our rescue with some really good saves but we deserved the win.
Our penultimate game was a friendly 'filler' against Cam & Dursley. With the temperatures rising, we took it easy and played out a one one draw with the highlight of the game being a 20 yard screamer into the bottom left corner from Phil!
Finally a 0-0 against a strong Swindon side, who although having a lot of possession, didn’t create many clear cut chances, other than a goal which was disallowed for running. We might even have sneaked a win right at the end with Graham hitting the side netting after an excellent pass from Chris. Overall though a draw was a fair result.
In summary a really good set of results with everybody playing their part. Charlie as usual pulling out some top saves, Chris and Phil both calm in possession and instrumental in ensuring that no goals were conceded, Graham and Mark linking defence with attack and both getting on the scoresheet and Paul providing 3 assists and working tirelessly up front.
Calne As finished in 4th place, with 14 wins, 12 draws and only 2 defeats. Keynsham who finished 3rd had an identical record but superior goal difference.
Calne Town A 2 v 0 SBL Warmley
Clevedon 0 v 1 Calne Town A
Calne Town A 0 v 0 Swindon Town
THE FINAL STANDINGS
Well done and thanks to everyone who played for CTWFC throughout the GFA WFL 2023/24 season, to Phil and the Captains for organisation and admin, and Jeff and Mark for their write ups.
Also, CONGRATULATIONS to league toppers Weston-Super-Mare who, like Preston North End's "Invincibles" team of 1888/89, went the whole season unbeaten. And a big thank you to Gloucestershire FA, the referees and the opposition.
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