WILTS SENIOR CUP: Cricklade primed for cup semi-final (From Swindon Advertiser)

WILTS SENIOR CUP: Cricklade primed for cup semi-final

6:00am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Sport By Ned Payne

CRICKLADE are set for one of the biggest days in their history as they prepare to host Downton in the semi-finals of the Wiltshire Senior Cup.

The Stones Lane side have never reached the last four before and Graham Jackson’s men will be playing for the right to take on Bemerton Heath or Bradford in the final.

“It’s a big day for the club. It’s a great competition and one that we take seriously each year,” said Cricklade chairman Alisdair Ross.

“The team has played some great football this season and this would be a great reward for them and Graham who has put in so much work over the years. he deserves to take Cricklade to a final.

“We watched Downton in the quarter-final and they are a good side.

“They are fourth in the table a step above us, so we know it will be difficult.

“I just hope that the players perform how I know they can and if they do then we have a chance, but if we make mistakes like we did against Brimscombe at the weekend then we will be in trouble.”

Ryan Thomas misses out this evening after damaging his cruciate ligament against Brimscombe on Saturday. Otherwise Jackson has all his players available.

In league action, it’s an important night for two of our local sides in the Hellenic Premier, with Highworth and Shrivenham both facing crunch clashes.

Highworth make the trip to Ascot while Shrivenham travel to Flackwell, with both hoping to boost their survival chances.

Malmesbury are at home to Letcombe in Division One West as they aim to invigorate their season.

In the Southern League, Chippenham will aim to boost their Premier Division survival hopes with victory at Cambridge, while in Division One South & West, Cirencester host Wimborne.