TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE DIVISION TWO: Boomsbury secure back to back titles (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE DIVISION TWO: Boomsbury secure back to back titles

1:30pm Monday 26th March 2012 in Sport

BOOMSBURY were crowned Division Two champions after securing a hard-fought 3-1 home win against mid-table Calne Eagles, who have certainly not lacked tenacity or courage this season when playing either of the two runaway leaders in the division.

Calne started the game as the better team and took a well-deserved lead after 12 minutes, when an attempted cross-field pass from Stu Windsor inadvertently set up striker Adam Bewley, who managed to squeeze his shot past keeper Luke Mayne to score his 20th goal of the season.

Boomsbury soon showed their class, equalising five minutes later, when Booker Woodford finished off a Neil Hannaford cross from 10 yards out.

They then took the lead after 30 minutes with a superbly-headed goal from Steve Jackson.

Calne still continued to show great confidence in possession, but they struggled to carve out any real clear-cut chances.

Player-manager Roy Wenham probably had the best chance, when the ball arrived to him at the back post from a corner kick, but he was unable to direct his shot.

As the game wore on, Boomsbury gradually started to take control.

However, they still were met with some incredibly stubborn, last-ditch defending, most notably from right back Rich Maslen, whose great all-round performance was crowned by two superb goal-line clearances.

Calne nearly clawed back an equaliser when in-form Adam Bewley sent a powerful effort from 20 yards out just wide of the post with goalkeeper Luke Mayne rooted to the spot.

Nonetheless, with 10 minutes left, Boomsbury made the win safe when sub Rueben Spong profited from some tired defending to fire home his 41st goal of the season.

FC Northbridge 3 North Bradley 3

IT SHOULD have been a case of David versus Goliath at Whaddon Lane, Hilperton where basement side FC Northbridge hosted second in table North Bradley who had won the reverse fixture 11-0. Prior to the match it was a case of how many Bradley would beat Matt Rusling’s side by as they chased the goals that would help them stay in touch with leaders Boomsbury.

However Chris Carr’s Bradley side, who were missing many key players including the likes of Craig Brown, Jack Parker, Sean Percival, Liam Richards, Simon Young and Jack Heard to name a few, failed to deliver the goods as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Northbridge which means that they will have to settle as runners up to fierce rivals Boomsbury.

Things started well for Bradley when Dave Percival put them in front but Northbridge stunned Carr’s side by getting back on level terms before half time though Ben Tilling whose 35 yard lob made it 1-1.

Goals from Lee Murden and Ashley Benison gave Bradley a 3-1 advantage and they looked all set to pick up maximum points, however a spirited Northbridge fight back was to upset the odds, Cliff Sakyi headed a cross to Mike Cooks who halved the deficit.

Tim Richards had the chance to restore Bradley’s two-goal cushion but he blew the chance when he had his penalty saved by keeper Will Bayley.

Northbridge turned the formbook on its head when they made it three apiece, Dan Hill volleying home the equaliser from a Ben Tilling corner.

TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE ROUNDUP, STATS AND PICTURES IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport and @WTSport