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Division one, champions elect The Ship FC extended their winning run to 15 matches with a 4-1 victory over near neighbours North Bradley.

Both sides finished the game with 10 players after Bradley had Bromham's manager Ben Howe sent off just before the break when he forgot he was playing football and wrestled the Ship's Lee Wilson to the ground with Howe went Wilson who will now miss a few games for Trowbridge Town after he got involved with an altercation with Howe who would not have been impressed if it was one of his Saturday players who had been dismissed, but Howe may yet come to regret his actions as a ban from football could mean that he misses being involved with Bromhamís final run in.

When the sides met in February, Bradley could only field eight players and consequently lost 16-4, but even though they suffered a second defeat manager Damon Berrelly and Tim Richards will be happy with the result. Shaun Percival gave the Ship the lead when he followed up his own shot to squeeze the ball home. Former Bradley player Craig Brown doubled the Shipís lead when he netted from the penalty spot after Richards deliberate handball in the area. Bradley reduced the arrears courtesy of fine volley from Paul Riley which saw the hosts trail by the odd goal an the interval. Paul Gittins added number three for the Ship and it was left to manager Lee Hayward to seal the win and two more points when he completed the scoring in the last few minutes.

Potterne turned in a first class display to effectively end British Lionís outside hopes of promotion and with it, took another big step towards of an automatic place following their 3-0 success over the visitors to the Northbrook. The Lionís outside chance of catching them has all but gone after Thursday nights 1-1 draw against Rowde that saw Luke Hunnyball earn the Lion their point after Marcus Wallen had put Rowde in front. But after the defeat against Potterne who had the perfect build up to Sundayís WG Parr Trophy final against Coyote the Lion must now hope that Rowde and Potterne slip up in their remaining matches to allow them back into the race for a top two finish. The Lion were weary and under strength after Thursdayís battle with old rivals Rowde but that should take nothing away from a Potterne side who flew out of the blocks and deservedly inflicted the Lion with their first defeat in seven games. Within six minutes Jamie Bayes fired a drive just wide of Mark Sinclairís goal as Potterne sought the important first goal. On 18 minutes Bayes again fired in freekick and Sinclair tipped it onto the bar and over. With a makeshift defence missing giant Dave Crawford and regular keeper Mark Stonestreet, the Lion struggled to cope with the numerous Potterne corners. On 25 minutes, Bayes delivery was well met by Steve Houseís head but Sinclair acrobatically beat it away. Four minutes later a mirror image saw Tom Evans clear Houseís header off the Lion goal line. The Lion struggled to construct anything meaningful throughout the first half hour and a limping Andrew Webster too often found himself isolated and chasing hopeful balls. However, on 36 minutes, Luke Enderby rasped a vicious 30-yard drive that was deflected in the side netting of the Potterne goal. The resulting corner ended up with Nathan Westís close range shot being kicked off the line. Nevertheless, within minutes another Bayes corner saw Ben Giles head over the Lion crossbar when well placed. For 40 minutes, the Lion goal had led a charmed life but eventually the breakthrough came for Potterne. John Stockman had so far been outstanding for the Lion but it was his foot that brought down Myles Hickton for a penalty. Although Sinclair saved James Campbellís spot kick, the loose ball fell kindly and he drilled home the rebound. It was 2-0 right on half time. Bayesí in swinging corner dipped under the bar and Sinclair, partially blocked by two of his own players could only palm it into his own net.

The Lion started the second half brighter and within four minutes a good move between West and Enderby saw the latter fire a 25-yard drive just over. Although the Lion were starting to have a little more possession, they made little progress against a resolute Potterne defence in which Steve House and Matt Hale were commanding. On the hour, a swift Potterne break saw Bayes flick Hicktonís cross onto the post and away. The killer third goal came with 20 minutes left. Lee Sanderís long cross-field ball fell to the feet of Hickton who shrugged off Mikey OíDonnellís challenge to fire past Sinclair. The Lion then had their best spell of the game and in the 74th minute a half-fit substitute Rob Drown was unlucky to see his shot clip the post. Going into the final ten minutes, firstly Darren Brown ës 20-yard strike was comfortably gathered by Mark Goddard and then Lee Campbellís burst run saw him unluckily guide Enderbyís cross just over the Potterne goal. The Lion were denied a consolation goal in the final minutes when firstly Steve House somehow blocked Westís goal bound volley and then Drown rounded Goddard but his shot from a tight angle dip over the bar.

Rowde followed up their midweek draw with the British Lion with a nail biting one-nil victory over the vastly improved Chippenham Sports & Social Club side who they had beaten 5-2 in November, but over the past few weeks Jason Bullís side have saved themselves from relegation but were unable to increase their unbeaten run to five matches as Jamie Mullings winner three minutes from time earned Rowde their success that they just about deserved.

Christian Malford playing their last game at Upper Seagry resulted in a disappointing finish as they went down 4-0 to Biddestone Arms. Malford who have to move from the ground that has been their home for a long time, have to find new lodgings due their changing rooms being declared unfit for use and are being closed for Health & Safety reasons and they would liked to have ended on a high not but it wasnít to be as Biddestone left Seagry with a win that took Malfordís losing run to 16 games. Biddestone soon caused the Malford defence problems and keeper Tom Collings made two excellent saves to keep Malford from going behind. Biddestone were clearly having the better of the early exchanges and Malford found it difficult to keep the ball out of there half. After 22 minutes Biddestone finally took the lead when defender Dan Gregoryís volley from the edge of the area found the top of the net. Despite being on top, Biddestone could not increase their lead and Malford began to look dangerous going forward, but they were unable to fashion an equaliser. Biddestone increased their lead at the beginning of the second half when they were awarded a free kick outside the Malford area. Danny Box took the free kick that sailed straight into the net to make it 2-0 after 47 minutes. Some of the Malford players seemed to lose heart at this stage and Biddestone continued to press forward. After 59 minutes they went 3-0 up when Rich Chaffeyís corner was headed home by Jack Goodship. After 65 minutes they went 4-0 in front when Dan Gregory scored his second with another fierce volley. Malford did try to reduce the arrears but never seriously challenged the Biddestone keeper Mark Ogilvie. Had it not been for several more excellent saves by Tom Collings, Malford could have been embarrassed by the score line as Biddestone ran out comfortable winners.

Trowbridge based Coyote had the result that they didnít want before their WG Parr Trophy final clash against Potterne when they were beaten 5-1 away at AFC Calne which denied them a third win on the bounce. The match which after a goalless first half came to life and could have gone either way until Coyoteís captain Nathan Flower was sent off for a second yellow card which ruined a good game but was the right decision as Flower had been warned many times about his back chat before the referee finally lost his patience with him. Calne went route one to scored their opener when Mark Dolman latched onto Aaron Wardís long punt up field. Nathan Flower was Coyoteís hero when he squared things up but soon turned villain after Ryan Kelleher had restored Calneís lead. Simon Goddardís first of the season again from another massive clearance from keeper Ward made it 3-1. Dean Fry put the hosts in total command at 4-1 and when Craig Fry netted his first of the season to make it 5-1 Calne had an easier than expected victory.

Old rivals Rowde and British Lion met in a crucial match on Thurdsay night ahead of their Sunday fixtures and both sides played their part in a thriller in front of a crowd of 50 people who made the most of the sunshine and the entertaining that was provided by both sides who were fielding a fair share of Devizes Town players and perhaps it wasnít a surprise that the eagerly awaited rematch from the opening day of the season when Rowde beat the Lion 3-1 ended all square on this occasion with the sides locked at one apiece after a fantastic 90 minutes of football that left one supporters saying that he would rather pay £20 to watch that every week than to go and watch Swindon Town. With both sides fielding strong sides, the encounter was always going to be tight and chances were going to be at premium. The Lion shaded the first half and on three occasions had goal bound efforts cleared off of the Ashley Robinsonís goal line, with the best one falling to Andrew Webster and Luke Enderby.

However, those missed opportunities threatened to come back to haunt the Lion as Rowde came back into the match during the second period. Nevertheless Robinson reacted very well in the opening minutes of the second half when the already diving keeper somehow turned a wicked bounce from Andrew Websterís drive over the bar. Rowde took the lead on 70 minutes when Marcus Wallen pounced on a half chance to shot home from 15 yards. The lead lasted only six minutes. Nathan Westís cross was not cleared by the Rowde defence and Luke Hunneyball gleefully swept home the loose ball to make it 1-1.

With both sides committed to playing open attractive football, the result remained in doubt right up to the end. The normally lethal Jamie Mullings had a chance to pinch it for Rowde in the 82nd minute faced with a one on one with the keeper he wide from 12 yards. In the dying minutes, Luke Enderby hit a vicious 20-yard strike drive that thumped against the Rowde crossbar with Robinson stood watching. The Lionís midfield combination of Lee Campbell and Rob Drown were in fine form throughout the game as was Luke Enderby who ran the game for the visitors to Sands Lane and between them they were responsible for breaking up most of the Rowde attacks. The game ended all square with the home side probably the happier with the point but with both teams still having everything to play for during the remainder of the season.

11:59am Monday 7th April 2008

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