CALNE Town slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Roman Glass St George in the Toolstation League First Division last night.

Playing on the Gloucestershire FA’s brand-new 3G pitch, the visitors fell behind to an early penalty, but Calne responded with chances for Danny Baker, who hit the underside of the bar with a free kick, and captain Neurin Jones.

Glass added a second before half time and a second penalty in the second half made it 3-0.

The Lilywhites showed their character as Glenn Armstrong quickly responded with his side's first goal.

In the 90th minute, Aaron Hopkins was felled in the area and Armstrong stepped up to score from the spot.

Calne spurned a golden opportunity to restore parity when Baker's free kick was met by Alex Lewis, who headed behind before Armstrong also missed a late header.

Town boss Simon Gardner was pleased to see a tale of two penalties didn’t do his side any serious harm as they hit back to claim a deserved 1-1 draw with Westbury United in Saturday’s Wiltshire derby.

Gardner had few complaints as the visitors were awarded their opening spot-kick just before the half-hour mark, Nathan Hallett being fouled by the Lilywhites’ Mark Dolman.

Town, though, were bailed out as Lee Salter, who had scored twice from the spot against Corsham two weeks earlier, hit the post with this effort.

Gardner certainly did take issue with Westbury’s second penalty seven minutes after half time, when Joe Murray was adjudged to have been fouled by Marcus Lovesey.

Salter’s kick was saved by Calne keeper Jamie Bartlett, but he buried the rebound for the opening goal.

Calne, though, levelled on 84 minutes as Tom Slater slotted home from close range after keeper Alex Shaftoe saved a Danny Baker effort.

Gardner said: “The first penalty was a stonewaller, but for the second, the player tripped over his own feet – the referee admitted as much afterwards.

“Westbury were probably the better side before their goal went in, but it proved the catalyst in terms of us playing football.

“We’ve only taken two points from 12, but we’ve been playing the better sides in the league and in two or three of those games we could have had something if Lady Luck was looking down on us.’’

Justin Webster admitted his Devizes Town side were undone by a horror start as they slipped to a 3-0 defeat against league leaders Bradford at Nursteed Road.

The home side successfully repelled 41-goal striker Sam Jordan – the top scorer in English football above step six – but were still undone by a Dan King brace and Steve Hulbert’s strike.

The damage was done in the opening stages as Devizes shipped a goal in the first minute and were two down to their unbeaten rivals after only five.

Webster said: “After that, we played all right but when you have that sort of start it is always going to be a tall order against a side like that.

“We had a great chance to make it 2-1 when Mark Barnes went one-on-one with the keeper but couldn’t convert.

“Then they went straight back down to the other end and scored from a free kick.

“They (Bradford) are strong all over the pitch and are obviously full of confidence.

“They’re the best side we faced. We kept their top scorer (Jordan) out, but then there are just another 10 (players) to worry about!’’

He added: “I’m not overly disappointed – I can’t fault the effort of the players.”

Town are 14th in the table, but that represents a major improvement on recent seasons when they have been at the bottom.

Webster, who has brought in teenager Ryan Rawlins after his release from Swindon Town’s academy, added: “We’ve got solid mid-table form at the moment and, for us, the Wiltshire Senior Cup game at Highworth on Saturday is our biggest of the season because it’s our best chance of winning something.’’

Corsham Town boss Trevor Rawlings concedes it’s a bit of a struggle at the Southbank at the moment – but has urged his squad to stick together.

Town have been beset by injuries and suspensions, while Rawlings has found it difficult to bring in the new faces he desires.

Matters weren’t helped by Dan Lardner upping swticks to join Wootton Bassett Town late last week.

Rawlings, who should have Matt Windle and Nick Holton back for Saturday’s Wiltshire Senior Cup trip to Mere (2pm), said: “We’re just trying to get sides out at the moment.

“It’s hard to get people in. They’re happy to sit on the bench and pick up some money, which we’re not offering.

“I’m still hoping to get one or two in before Saturday but it’s a bit of a struggle.

“We’ve got to try to stick to together and wait for people to come back from injuries and suspensions.’’

Matty Peters scored twice for the home side, with Danny Golden and Lee Gale completing Wincanton’s 2-1 triumph after Ryan Tyrell had made it 1-1 for Corsham.

Dave Ferris believes his Chippenham Park side’s point from Tuesday night’s away trip to Keynsham was a creditable result.

Park, beaten 2-1 by Roman Glass at the weekend, twice fell behind on their hosts’ 3G pitch, but struck back to earn a share of the spoils.

Keynsham grabbed the lead after capitalising on a rebound from a free kick shortly before half-time, but the teams went in level as Mark Robinson, who netted on Saturday, arrived at the back post to score for Park.

The home side took advantage of defensive mistakes to regain the lead in the second period.

But having shot narrowly wide, substitute Mark Nolan restored parity from 25 yards.

Ferris, who missed the game through illness, said: “Keynsham have improved so it was a good result for us.’’

Darren Perrin insisted he – not his players – should shoulder the blame for Melksham Town's 5-1 Toolstation League Premier Division defeat to Bristol Manor Farm at The Conigre on Monday night.

Perrin made six changes from the side that defeated Sherborne Town 4-2 48 hours earlier on Saturday, but the third-placed visitors scored two early goals to set up their ultimately comfortable-looking victory.

The Town chief held his hands up to the selection and tactical errors he believes contributed to his side’s downfall.

“Sometimes you analyse how players perform, but you have to analyse how you do too and most of the blame should be directed at me,’’ he said.

“We had a good win – a very important win – on Saturday, but the ground (on Monday) was very heavy so I utilised the squad and made the changes.

“We also went with three up front, which was an error from me because we got overrun in midfield.

“The players have done fantastic but I just have to say that, tactically, I got it wrong.’’

Tom Robinson, an own goal, Shaun Benison and Gary Higdon struck to see off Sherborne at the weekend, although Higdon is a doubt for Saturday’s Wiltshire Senior Cup trip to Shrewton United with a groin problem.

Perrin added: “We want to retain the trophy (they won last season), but this is a banana skin tie against a team who are top of the Wiltshire League.’’

Pewsey Vale boss Lewis Taylor expects the Christmas and New Year period to be pivotal to his side’s fortunes in Sydenhams League Division One.

The hosts had not played a league fixture for three weeks but resumed their impressive opening to the season as goals from Tom Ritchie, Adam Field and Ricky Franklin proved enough against the side third in the table on Saturday.

Taylor’s men go to Ringwood Town this weekend, but it is the next two months of the season that the manager believes will decide how they conclude their campaign.

“We’re on a bit of a roll and it was another classic Pewsey performance because we tend to raise our game against teams higher in the table or who we consider to be of a higher standard,’’ he said.

“New Milton were a Premier Division side last season but the effort and the workrate were all there.

“We were under the cosh a bit in the second half, but we weathered the storm and came through another game.’’

“December and January is the challenge for us, keeping a level of fitness.

“We made a similar start last season, but when the weather hit in those two months, that’s when we struggled.

“We want to try and keep some of our momentum – if we’re playing football then we’re in good shape.’’

Taylor has a major doubt over Ritchie for this weekend’s clash at Ringwood after he damaged an ankle.

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