THE DUKE CROWNED CHAMPIONS
After their Spring Cup semi-final success on Saturday afternoon The Duke FC were presented with The Trowbridge Windows and Conservatories sponsored Division One trophy from league chairman Sam Gooding.
The Duke FC had a remarkable league season, winning 16 of the 18 games, drawing one and suffering just the one defeat to win the title nine points ahead of nearest rivals Hilperton United.
The champions started the season as they meant to go on soundly seeing off Staverton Rangers 4 – 1 on the opening day back on 14th August. Jack Hayward opened his account for the season scoring a brace. A midweek game quickly followed the following Tuesday and a high scoring encounter saw the Duke run out 5 – 3 winners against Freshford United. Drew Adams had an excellent game, helping himself to a hat-trick.
Games came thick and fast at the beginning of the season and the following Saturday saw the Duke show real championship credentials with a hard-fought 1 – 0 win from a visit to Warminster Town Reserves. A goal from Sam McQueen proving decisive.
August ended with two tough games back-to-back with Heytesbury visiting The Dukes base at Bratton Road on 24th, closely followed by a trip to Whaddon Road, Hilperton the following Tuesday night. Jake Packers men stamped their claim for the league in the best possible way, finishing the week with maximum points beating both teams 3 – 1 to keep up their perfect start to the campaign. Drew Adams helped himself to a brace against Heytesbury and Sam McQueen added to his tally against Hilperton, also scoring two.
September started well and a 3 – 0 win against Melksham Town Development kept the ball rolling. After a nine day break The Duke welcomed Marshfield FC to their base and made it seven from seven with a 2 – 1 victory.
Seven days later, a quick return match against Melksham Town Development saw a convincing 5 – 0 win for the champions. A determined Melksham team were only one down at the break but couldn’t stop the Duke juggernaut rolling on in the second half when they conceded four more. Adams stared again with two goals, helped by Thomas Blackman, also with a brace and Joseph Moloney joining in with one.
The 25th of September saw The Duke drop their first points of the season when they were held to a goal-less draw against Semington Magpies.
October started with a ferocious battle against Westbury United Reserves at Meadow Lane, Joseph Moloney scored two and was sent off in a 2 – 1 win in a game where Mathew Friendship and Christopher Steele from Westbury also took an early bath.
After beating Hilperton United on penalties in The Wiltshire Junior Cup, The Duke returned to league action on 30th of October when they travelled to Heytesbury in the return league fixture and completed the double over their rivals with a 5 – 2 victory. Drew Adams was on target again with his second hat-trick of the season.
November saw The Duke progress into the next round of The Wiltshire Junior Cup with a 5 – 2 win over Cricklade Town and league form was also excellent with comprehensive wins against Warminster Town Reserves (6 – 0), a thumping 10 – 1 win against Staverton Rangers and a 5 – 0 win from their visit to Marshfield FC.
Only two games for The Duke in December starting with a 7 – 0 win over fellow Trowbridge League side Dilton Marsh Wanderers in The Wiltshire Junior Cup.
The Dukes only league defeat of the season came from fierce rivals Westbury United Reserves when they met at Bratton on 18th December. A hotly contested match saw Westbury run out 2 – 1 winners in a game which saw a further three red cards, two for The Duke and one for Westbury. Joe Edwards was on the scoresheet for The Duke.
January saw The Duke progress into the semi-finals of The Wiltshire Junior Cup but falling to Heytesbury 4 – 0 to bow out of The A and B Cup in a rare defeat. The Spring Cup group games also began in earnest.
League action resumed in February with the visit of Semington Magpies on the 12th. After dropping points in a goal less draw back in September The Duke were determined to collect all the points in the return game and they ran out convincing 5 – 0 winners. Joseph Moloney leading the way with a brace.
February also saw The Dukes interest end in The Wiltshire Junior Cup when they lost a tight semi-final 2 – 1 at Tisbury United.
The Trowbridge Windows and Conservatories sponsored Division One title was secured on 5th March but probably not the way The Duke wanted as they were awarded the points from their scheduled visit to Freshford United as unfortunately, their hosts were unable to raise a team that weekend.
Ten days later The Duke bowed out of The Knockout Cup as they lost a very tight game 1 – 0 to an excellent Westbury United Reserve team.
The Duke were also awarded the points in their last scheduled Division One game as visitors and league runners up Hilperton United were unable to raise a team.
After yesterdays semi-final victory over rivals Westbury United Reserves The Duke will be hoping to end the season on a high as they bid to win more silverware when they face Heytesbury in the final of The Spring Cup – sponsored by Gooding Accounts at Meadow Lane, Westbury. Kick-off 2.30pm on Saturday 7th May 2022