Heyt Mail.

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Intro

Heytsbury & Codford didn’t have a brilliant season last time out; finishing 6th out of just 8 teams after a couple of drop-outs. Nevertheless I understand they’ll remain in Division One next season and have a chance to achieve a higher finishing position.

Last season Holt returned to the Trowbridge & District league for the first time since 2018/19 when they actually won the first division. Their absence was down to a lack of showers at their home ground, but fortunately that seems to have been rectified. They’ll be back in Division One next season after finishing 3rd behind Freshford United and Hilperton Greyhound.

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The Ground

Forced out of their Heytsbury Park home when the land owners decided to develop the area, Heytsbury & Codford have a more than adequate replacement home ground just down the road. Tucked away just off the main road through the village, this site contains the village hall as well as a play park and the football pitch. There’s a bar, a covered area for watching the action, and – by all accounts – decent changing rooms. It’s a very pleasant location to take in a game of football.

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The Match

The first attempt on goal went to the hosts who broke quickly from a Holt corner. The eventual shot from Heytesbury’s number 16 was wide, however. The visitors began to dominate somewhat, but it was Heytesbury who opened the scoring on 16 minutes. Sadly I missed the goal – dusting off the end of season cobwebs! The Holt goalkeeper made a great point-blank save one-on-one on 20 minutes. At the other end of the pitch the away side threatened with a volley that was deflected onto the top of the crossbar. This came as a result of a corner that was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area. On the half-hour mark, Holt’s Archie Robertson sent in a dangerous low cross. Heytesbury goalkeeper George Cook cut it out with a Holt striker lurking. Soon after, a Heytesbury defender dawdled on the ball allowing Holt’s number 18 to steal the ball. He couldn’t find a way past Cook to the relief of the hosts. In the last action of the half a Holt winger went one-on-one with home goalie Cook. It was a tricky angle and the effort was blocked by the keeper, with the rebound flying over the target.

The first effort of note in the second half went to the visitors who continued their hunt for a leveler. A powerful shot was spilled by Cook who then did enough on the rebound to allow his defense to clear. 5 minutes later Holt came even closer to equalising – Cook losing out to Joe Bakali out wide. His lobbed effort came off the top of the crossbar and then a follow-up header didn’t have enough on it to beat the defender on the line. With a little over 15 minutes to go, Heytesbury’s energetic sub Myles Woodward went on a good run and let fly a decent shot which was well saved by the Holt keeper. 4 minutes later Holt were awarded a penalty. This was emphatically dispatched by Bakali past George Cook. Woodward forced a one-on-one save from the Holt keeper who managed to save well. The ball was recycled and crossed to the far post where Heytesbury’s number 7 headed home, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. A goalmouth scramble was the last chance of the game, but Holt couldn’t force the ball over the line and so the game ended all-square.

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The Photos

The full gallery of match photos is also available HERE