03/06/2026
WFA National Cup South West Region Round 2 โ Menโs Over 60s
๐๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐จ๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ก๐
๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฏ-๐ฌ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป
Even when Clevedon Walking Footballers trailed 3-0 midway through the second half, they were still very much in this contest and fought to the very end, such was their commitment to the cause.
However, it was Swindon who had too much power in front of goal who came away the victors, to all but erase the memory of bowing out to Clevedon on penalties in last yearโs South West Regional Final.
Swindon had done their homework on Clevedon and targeted Mark Pannett and Neil Bland as two key players to deny time and space.
Clevedon had designs of their own and the normally attacking Carlo Cinquegrani had to turn to defensive duties for large parts of the game to keep the lively Matt Gillett at bay.
Swindon found themselves on the wrong end of the refereeโs whistle in the early stages, but adapted quickly and over the full duration of the game, the boys in red not only drew the most fouls, but committed fewer offences, which proved telling in the end as the rhythm of the game swung heavily in Swindonโs favour during the final 10 minutes.
Swindonโs opener came courtesy of Keith Walker, who burst through the middle to toe-poke under the impressive Nigel Clarke after good work on the right flank from lone wolf Paul Watling.
Swindon doubled their advantage soon after with John Floyd advancing from defence to apply the finishing touch to a 3-man Swindon move.
Clevedon were unruffled and stuck to their game plan and when Swindon lost focus for a brief moment, Clevedon fired a warning shot across their bows.
Swindon keeper Ian Wilkinson was tested to the full when a rasping drive took a deflection off defender John Floyd with the stopper just managing to get a fingertip to turn it around the post.
๐๐ง: ๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ-๐ฌ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป
No changes at half-time with too much at stake with the next goal proving crucial either way.
Ian Wilkinson was called upon once more and advanced to the edge of his box to smother a Clevedon shot that looked destined for the net.
Having played provider in the first half, Paul Watlingโs bullet toe-poke into the top corner was just reward for his eveningโs work and the signal to make way for duo Dave Heskett and Michael Cox to come on and provide fresh legs and a different dynamic.
Lewis Padfield, who had been preoccupied with Clevedonโs Nigel Woods for most of the game, finally broke free and came close to adding another with a smart shot on the turn.
Dave Heskettโs ability to calm the game down and force Clevedon into chasing the ball proved telling as the Somerset side began to tire and with no substitutes of their own, the option of fresh impetus was denied them and Swindonโs unbroken series of passing over a 5-minute spell meant no way back for the seasiders.
An excellent game from two committed teams, expertly refereed with handshakes, smiles and well wishes on all fronts.
Swindon will now face either Eastleigh Walking Football Club or Portsmouth Walking Football Club away in round 3, which has to be played between 13th June โ 5th July (exact date and venue to be agreed).
For more information on the ๐ช๐๐ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐ฝ, follow this link: https://thewfa.co.uk/walking-football-national-cup/
๐ง๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
Ian Wilkinson (GK)
John Floyd ยฉ (1)
Carlo Cinquegrani
Keith Walker (1)
Paul Watling (1)
Lewis Padfield
Michael Cox
Dave Heskett
๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต / ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ: Mark Gray
๐๐๐: 2
