Horse win thriller (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Horse win thriller

FIRST Division Horse & Groom came from behind four times to send Chippenham Police packing in an amazing 15-goal thriller in the Vanitec-sponsored Chippenham & District Sunday League.

The Horse snatched an unbelievable 9-6 win after trailing 3-1, 4-3, 5-4, and 6-5 during the contest.

They scored three goals in the final 10 minutes to claim their remarkable win.

Paul Daly and Graham Hunter both hit hat-tricks for Horse with Paul Bendell (penalty), Paul Aland and Tim Cross sharing the others, Cross maintaining his record of scoring in every season he has played back to 1982.

Steve Davis (3), Mark McIntyre, Mickey Mansell and Jason Roberts scored for the Police.

Chippenham Sports and Social Club's 4-1 defeat of Colerne FC saw them close the gap between themselves and Biddestone Social at the top to just four points.

Richard Smart gave Colerne the lead, but Gary Blackwood twice, Darren Whiston and Rob Blackwood won it for the Chippenham side.

West End Wanderers moved away from the foot of the table courtesy of their 3-2 victory at The George Lacock.

A sublime 25 yarder from Jason King put The George one up at the interval, but Nathan Mantle and Tony Kelly put West End ahead early in the second half before Martin Symcox restored parity. Simion Mills banged home the winner.

PREMIER DIVISION

Reigning Premier Division champions The Duke Corsham saw their hopes of retaining the crown all but ended after a 4-0 battering from Westbury Rangers A.

A brace from Marc Lanfear gave Rangers the advantage before Paul Smith chipped home an exquisite effort from 35 yards and Paul Beavers completed the rout.

Dog & Fox Ashley remained in the hunt after seeing off Hullavington, also 4-0.

Ricky Trott's 25 yard free-kick set them on their way, a Steve Roddy double and Nathan Gant completing the scoring.

Toby Ireson and Matt Nash scored their first goals of the season for West Lavington who defeated Calne Town 6-1.

Simon Drewitt (2), Steve Moxham and Michael O'Donnell made up the half dozen with Luke De Boar scoring Calne's consolation.

DIVISION TWO

North Bradley needed a win against near-neighbours Southwick Sports to boost their hopes of getting back into the promotion race but had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Bradley's Aaron Salter erased Dan Alford's penalty in the first half and although Steve Ivin regained the lead for Southwick, Michael Spong rescued a point.

Steeple Ashton and Christian Malford drew 3-3 in a game switched to Leighton Sports Ground, in Westbury.

Lee Hayward (2) and Marc Sheppard put Ashton in the lead twice, but Scott Evans' hat-trick (one penalty) took his tally to 26 for the season.

DIVISION THREE

The top two sides continued to put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack with convincing victories.

Leaders Four Seasons thrashed Hare & Hounds 8-0, Gary Banks leading the onslaught with five and Marcus Young (2) and Jason Cole adding the others.

Second-placed Parsons Nose were outplayed by Melksham rivals Pig & Whistle United in the first half and trailed to a Paul McCarthy penalty.

But they turned it around to win 4-1, Wayne Bailey bagging a hat-trick and Mark James also nettting.

Steve Giles scored Bradstone Rovers consolation as they lost 2-1 to Corsham Park Rangers, for whom Paul Smith scored twice late on.

Trowbridge Town Supporters Club left it late before sealing a 4-3 win over Old Lane United.

The lead changed hands four times, Town's Ross Heard drilling home their winner 85th minute.

Old Lane's scorers were Ben Husband (2, one penalty) and Mike Austin, with Nick Buckle (2) and Chris Rawlings being Town's other scorers.

DIVISION FOUR

FC Bradford took full advantage of Kings Arms' (Trowbridge) inactivity to open up a five-point gap on their rivals with a 10-0 destruction of KSM.

Shaun Daniels, Mike Embleton, Jason Harford and sub Wayne Duggan hit two each with Robin Walker and Danny Wilcox also netting for Bradford.

Julian Putt's hat-trick was in vain for White Horse FC as they shipped five goals in 20 second-half minutes to lose 7-3 to North Star B.

Horse led 3-2, but Nick Bloodworth led the revival with four, while Adam Godwin and two from James Yates, including one direct from a cornerwon the game.

Virgin Mobile's point from their 2-2 draw against Old Road Tavern saw them regain second spot.

Ian Standing's 15th minute opener for Virgin was wiped out by Neil Roynon before Alex Huscroft regained the lead. Roynon's second claimed a point for Tavern.

With Bear Casuals pitch at Shaw waterlogged, they reversed their game to St Lawrence School, Bradford on Avon, where they defeated hosts The Plough 2-1.

In an incident-packed game, both teams were reduced to 10 players, but the Bear emerged triumphant after Andy Perkins had put the home team in front.

Paul Saczak was dismissed for the Bear, but Chris Bishop curled home the equaliser before The Plough then had keeper Kevin Nash sent off.

Lee Baston's penalty his first goal in three seasons won it in the last minute.

Classic FC's patched-up side did just enough to take victory against Pack Horse Rangers, Nick Still's 60th minute goal dividing the sides.

Rowde picked up only their seventh point of the season after a 1-1 home draw against Fascia Graphics.

Mark Smith's volley gave Fascia a first-half lead, but Richard Hayter levelled.