April 22, 2023
These diaries paid a visit to Corsham in March 2022 during a weekend break in nearby Lacock. That day, Corsham played out a 0-0 against Cribbs FC and the two sides went on to finish 5th and 4th respectively in the Hellenic Premier League at the end of the season.
https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2022/03/corsham-town-fc-0-0-cribbs-fc-att-73.html
A year on and things had improved tremendously for both of those sides. Cribbs had gone on to win the Hellenic Premier League this season to earn promotion to the Southern League, whilst Corsham had experienced an epic journey in the FA Vase before falling one step short of Wembley. Although Cove, Keynsham, Roman Glass St George and Deal Town were overcome in normal time, penalties were needed to get past Brislington, Royal Wootten Bassett, Brixham & Peacehaven to reach a home semi-final against Ascot Town. In front of an incredible crowd of 1,736, after a 2-2 draw Corsham’s luck from 12 yards ran out and they lost the shoot-out 4-5 to miss out on a trip to the twin towers.
Bad weather caused the postponement of several fixtures in December and January, and added to the lengthy cup run resulted in a severe fixture backlog, meaning Corsham had been playing three games a week since March, and they had played Saturday-Tuesday-Thursday prior to today and with their final game of the season scheduled for next Monday. Despite this Corsham had won 11 of their last 13 matches, the other two being draws, but this wasn’t enough to grab a promotion play-off place. Ultimately, Corsham have paid the price for a slow start to the season where 3 of their first 4 matches were drawn. They had lost only three matches all season, with seven drawn.
Corsham started the day in third place, with today’s opponents in second place seven points ahead, and looking forward to the inter-step promotion play-off. Malvern had finished in third place in 2021/22 so had also improved on last season’s efforts and like Corsham had lost only three times, but drawn only 5 matches.
When the two sides met back in October, Malvern emerged victorious 1-0 in front of a crowd of 352, and Malvern are the best supported side in the division with an average of 297. In comparison, Corsham’s average for league matches was 151, the third best in the league.
Malvern had scored 109 league goals already this season, with ten players in double figures, with Ben Hayes leading the way with 18, just ahead of Joe Bates, David Reynolds and Lewis Spurrier all one behind on 17 goals each.
For Corsham, Niekell Plummer had found the net 18 times. Such is the turnover in their squad, only two of their squad that played in the Vase semi against Ascot, Leon Greenland and Ryan Bath played a year ago against Cribbs.
The journey from the spa town of Malvern in Worcestershire to Corsham is a shade over 80 miles which should take 90 minutes by car.
The temperature at the 15.00 local kick-off time was expected to be 10 degrees with light showers forecast.
Unfortunately, due to a serious accident I was unable to attend the game, and instead spent most of the day at the Royal United Hospital in Bath............
Result : Corsham Town 4-1 Malvern Town ( att : 357 )
Hobbs ( 26 ), Simpson ( 49 ), Plummer ( 61 ). Rusby ( 73 ); Turner ( 59 )
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7oP0bcodnc
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