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DIVISION THREE: AFC Bell who reached the summit of Division three after their 3-2 midweek success over promotion rivals Pheasant FC thanks to goals from Nathan Moffat, Gareth Evans and Jonathan Couch jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire when they played hosts to fierce rivals AFC Melksham at Green Lane, Devizes.

But once again an under strength Bell side came up trumps as they earned a 2-0 victory which stretched their unbeaten run to 14 matches and put them in pole position to finish as champions. Jonathan Schofield opened the scoring for Bell before Paul Machin scored from the penalty spot to wrap up the win for Craig Townsend's side.

Biddestone White Horse defeated Bromham (Sunday) 3-1 to keep their hopes of finishing in the top two very much alive, results in recent weeks had threatened the chances of Matt Unwin's dreams of promotion, but with other results going in their favour they are now back in the mix. Biddestone took the lead against Bromham via the head of Jamie Rowe but an error from keeper Richard Toghill gifted Bromham their equaliser when Freddie Paget scored to square things up at 1-1. Biddestone regained the lead courtesy of Ben Morris who headed home from a corner. Scott Fleming made the game safe with Biddestone's third, but their victory also owed much to the heroics of keeper Toghill who more than made up first half disaster that led to Bromham's goal with a number of quality saves that helped earn Biddestone two very important points.

Chippenham West End Club needed to beat Blue Circle (Sunday) to have any hopes of surviving in the division and they did themselves really proud but after 90 minutes they came up just short as Blue Circle came from behind three times to salvage a draw that means that the West End Club will be playing fourth division football next term. Tam Laidlaw's side went into the game at the Cement Works knowing that for them to beat the drop they would have to end their 16 match winless run and James Mullhall put them in front with a wind assisted volley from 25 yards then sensed that an upset might be on the cards especially as they led 1-0 at the interval. Blue Circle restored parity through Martin Hemmens but the West End Club regained the lead thanks to a Paul Mannings header. The match then turned on a controversial decision or so the visitors thought when they had a penalty awarded against them that was converted by Steve Martin after Hemmens had been brought down in the area. With two minutes to go Chris Jenkins volleyed home what he must have thought was the winner for the West End Club but deep into stoppage time Steve North scored his first goal of the season to earn the Cement boys a share of the spoils that ultimately sent their guests beyond the point of no return.

At the foot of the table basement side Corsham Park Rangers claimed a shock point from their 2-2 draw with third placed Pheasant FC for whom it was the third point that they had dropped in four days and came on the back of a 3-2 defeat against AFC Bell when goals from Gary Lock and Nat Auckland weren't enough to save them from defeat. Corsham Park went into the game as massive underdogs and huge favourites to loss their battle to beat the drop but their draw against Oli Selman's side has given them a real fighting chance of survival. Pheasant took the lead on 10 minutes through Gary Lock who made the most of a mistake from Corsham Park's keeper Martin Perrett. Corsham Park gained a deserved equaliser in the 29th minute when Jake Marshall's shot found the net with the help of a post. Corsham Park were reduced to 10 men on 50 minutes when Simon Young who picked up a knock in the first half limped off injured. Despite the numerical disadvantage Corsham Park took the lead on the hour mark through Dan Purser who headed home a Gareth Howe free kick. Pheasant earned their share of the spoils in controversial circumstances 15 minutes from time when Joe Forester picked himself up to score from the penalty spot, after he took a tumble in the area. Corsham Park still have a lot of work to do to stay in the division but if they can raise their game to the levels of their second half display in their three remaining fixtures then they will be in with a serious chance of staying in the division.

Westbury Rangers B followed up their early season 3-2 victory over Churchill Arms with a comfortable 7-1 victory over Oliver Hickton's side that means they have lost five on the spin. Ranger's struck their opener on four minutes when Liam Griffiths was set free by Ashley Easton's through ball and Griffiths neat finish made it 1-0. Matty Mead doubled Ranger's advantage when he headed home number two in the 11th minute. Churchill pulled a goal back in the 19th minute when Kevin Balchin put through his own net trying to keep out a John Gale shot. Churchill started to get on top for a while and Oliver Hickton twice went close to equalizing but saw headers narrowly miss the target. Rangers third arrived on 60 minutes and from then on they scored at will, Sam Young was upended in the box and Griffiths fired home the resulting spot kick on the hour mark to make it 3-1. Five minutes later Griffiths drove home from 20 yards to complete his first ever hat trick as he gave Rangers a three-goal cushion. In the 67th minute Rangers made it 5-1 via Dave Jones who found the net from 22 yards out. Matty Mead scored his second on the game in the 80th with another good finish and top scorer Dale Rowland who was getting frustrated because he couldn't join in the goal fest finally got on the score sheet when he scored goal number seven, five minutes from time.

Last Thursday night saw AFC Bell move to the top of division three along side Biddestone White Horse who they are locked together with on 33 points but their greater goal difference puts them in pole position. Bell extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches after they came from behind to beat fellow promotion and champions hopefuls Pheasant FC for the second time this season courtesy of a nail biting 3-2 success that left Craig Townsend's Devizes based celebrating as if they had already won the title, which they haven't but they have certainly moved a lot closer to clinching silverware for a second successive campaign. Bell were without top scorer Townsend and they could have been forgiven for thinking that they might find someone to replace the prolific marksman, but they needn't have worried as Nathan Moffat continued his good run of form in front of goal when his shot from 25 yards ended up in the net after an error by Pheasant's keeper Danny Johnson. Gary Lock drew Pheasant level and his goal came after a calamity from Bell's keeper. Nat Auckland fired Pheasant in front but they were unable to hold their lead for long as Bell drew level before the interval through Gareth Evans who was playing despite carrying an injury, Evans raced onto a long ball over the top of the Pheasant defence and coolly finished to square things up at two apiece. Jonathan Couch won the game for Bell with a magnificent solo effort that saw him go on a run down the wing, before he cut inside and slipped the ball through the legs of a Pheasant defender before drilling home a goal worthy of winning any game. Pheasant pushed forward looking for an equaliser and Tom Jones should have given it to them late on but missed a sitter from close range when he headed wide of the target when it looked easier to score.

Another Devizes based side who were in action last night were Mark Adamson's Crown FC who avenged their 3-2 defeat from their first game of the season with a 4-1 victory over Blue Circle (Sunday) whose poor away form continues to give them cause for concern as from the 11 matches they have played on their road this term they have lost 10 of them. Steve Martin's Blue Circle side traveled to Green Lane and found the Crown's Dan Sloan in irresistible form as he scored twice and set up one so it would be fair to say that the Cement Boy's were bang to rites by the Sloan Ranger. Antony Butler gave Crown the lead when his delightful chip from eight yards found the net in the seventh minute, Crown doubled their advantage on 10 minute when Sloan's through ball found Tom Slater who finished well from 10 yards to make it 2-0 and that was how the score stayed until the 47th minute when Sloan unleashed a wonder strike from 40 yards that made it 3-0. Russell Dyer pulled a goal back for Blue Circle on 55 minutes, but two minutes later another awesome finish from Sloan saw him curl the ball home from 18 yards to complete the scoring that sealed the Crown their 12th win of the campaign that leaves them with an outside chance of still finishing in fourth place in the standings.

DIVISION FOUR Bradford based Riverside Renegades confirmed their promotion to Division three after they beat Wanderers for the second time in eight days. Lance Davis side closed the gap on Division four pole sitters Steeple Ashton Rangers to just two points so there is still plenty to play for before the title is decided and the champions can be crowned. Riverside beat Wanderers one-nil in a thriller last weekend and this weeks return match was just as competitive with Riverside winning it 2-1. After a goalless first half Jake Jordan put Riverside in front and player/manger Davis made it 2-0. Wanderers set up a tense finish when Tim Cross thundered home a 40-yard howitzer that saw him volley home a screamer to reduce the arrears but it was a case of too little, too late as Riverside held out for maximum points.

Corsham Centre B completed their season with a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Corsham United for whom it was only their second victory in 10 outings. United led 2-1 at the interval thanks to goals from Dominic Reid and Alex Mitchell Jnr with Dan King who was a member of the Corsham Centre's successful Wiltshire Sunday Cup winning side last weekend replying for the hosts. Both teams had chances to add further goals to their first half efforts but United finally killed the game off in the dying minutes when Adrian Webb scored his first goal of the club following a corner.

Chippenham United RAOB heaped more misery on third placed Trowbridge Town Supporters' Club whose 3-2 lost at Stanley Park may just have ended their hopes of finishing the season in third spot. Martin Riddle's first goal for United gave them the lead which was wiped out by Chris Penelhum and when Gavin Targett gave the Supporters' club a 2-1 lead it was looking as if Kevin Williams side were on course to register a 12th victory of the season. United hit back to level matters through Will Symans and it was Symans who netted his team third to give the ma 3-2 victory to make sure the supporters' club trip back to West Wiltshire was an unhappy one.

Somerford FC finished their season on a high as they ended the Three Crowns United's eight match unbeaten run of seven victories and a draw courtesy of their 3-1 triumph. Paul Maddox scored and early goal for the Three Crown's when he put them in front from the penalty spot inside the first 10 minutes. Somerford hit back with Wayne Burry squaring things up. Burry's second of the game took his tally for the season to 29 but more importantly gave Gary Chandler' side the lead and any hopes the Three Crown's had of staging a comeback were ended by John Rawlings who made the points safe with their third of the game.

Nick Alexander stole the show for Bernie Court's Old Road Tavern side as they came from 2-1 down to beat Kings Arms (Market Lavington) 4-2. Alexander put Old Road in front, but his opener was cancelled out by Andy Oldham for whom it was his second goal in as many games. Steven Foord fired Kings Arms ahead with his 22nd goal of the season. From then on it was a case of Alexander the great as he restored parity for the Old Road and then he put them back in front with his hat trick goal and he killed the game off with his fourth of the game that moved the his team onto 19 points for the season which 16 more than the achieved last term but unbelievably leaves them in 11th place, but if they have had netted the same points tally last term when they finished rock bottom they would have claimed ninth spot.

KNOCKOUT CUP FINAL Westbury Rangers A blew their chance to end their 35-year wait for Knockout Cup glory as they were beaten by second division Crown Cosmos 1-0 in this season's final of the presstoprint sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Cup competition. Rangers who went into the final as huge favourites to lift the cup for the first time in their history but after having the better of the early chances in a frantic opening 20 minutes that saw the game flow from end to end and looked as if it would live up to the pre-match expectations, the contest fizzled out and won't be remember as being a classic, but when the winning goal arrived deep into the second period of extra time it was worth the wait and was worthy of winning an game and it was nothing more than Devizes based Cosmos deserved.

Will Kibby's Crown Cosmos side who as The Southgate Inn were beaten 6-0 in last term's showpiece defended really well throughout as their younger opponents were unable to find away through a well organised Cosmos defence for whom Andy Coombes and Nick Taylor were immense. The match started at a frantic pace with chances coming at both ends, Rangers striker Marc Lanfear was causing the Cosmos defence problems with his lighting speed and almost broke the deadlock on three minutes when he lobbed the advancing Cosmos keeper Dave Hopkins but his effort rolled just wide of the target. On six minutes the pacy Tim Coombes broke clear of the Cosmos defence and his cross was met by Matty Smith who should have tested keeper Hopkins from close range. Cosmos have their best chance on nine minutes when Andy Davies shot from distance was turned around the post by Rangers keeper Nathan Taylor. Moments later David Lloyd fired a shot across the face of the Rangers goal and had a Cosmos player taken a gamble and raced into the area it would have been 1-0 Cosmos but at it was the scoreline remained goalless.

Rangers when straight up the other end and won a free kick, which Pete Ayton whipped over and Tim Coombes should really have tested keeper Hopkins but headed over when unmarked. On 17 minutes Cosmos were awarded a free kick and another quality delivery from Andy Davies picked out David Lloyd who headed into the side netting. On 30 minutes Ranger's went closest to breaking the deadlock when Marc Lanfear cannoned a shot against the bar from eight yards out, and that might just have been the moments that Rangers realised that it wasn't going to be their day. From then on the game that from to be one of the best final for a while fizzled out into one that will be forgotten rather than talked about for years to come. The next chance to either team came two minutes before the break when Rangers Lanfear found himself in space before being crowded out by two Cosmos defenders and it was a relief when the half time whistle sounded.

The second half started at pedestrian like pace, but Cosmos almost took the lead on 51 minutes when Stuart Skinner's 30 yards beat Ranger's keeper Taylor but just dropped over the bar. Cosmos introduced Dean Potter into the game in the 57th minute and he almost worked his magic within seconds of coming on, the lively forward flashed a shot across the face of the Rangers goal and although Potter didn't trouble keeper Taylor, the ball arrived to the unmarked David Lloyd who should have put his team one up but inexplicably missed when it looked easier to score. Cosmos started to gain the ascendancy at this stage and Nathan Sheridan blasted a free kick wide of the target on 68 minutes, 10 minutes later David Lloyd slipped at the crucial moment when he about to shoot. Shortly after another chance fell to Lloyd who fired over from a good position. At the other end of the field Rangers Nathan Hallett headed wide of the target in the 84th minute and Mark Young shot tamely at keeper Hopkins after Cosmos went close to nicking the game in normal time when another Sheridan free kick from 20 yards flew inches wide of the upright.

Westbury Rangers had the better of the first period of extra time with Marc Lanfear missing from close range and then Pete Ayton curling a brilliant free kick around the wall that had keeper Hopkins beaten all ends up, but thumped against the bar. Further pressure from Rangers saw Sam Tucker and Mark Young have half chances but Cosmos goal remained intact.

Rangers started the second period of extra time in confident mood and Matty Smith had an 18 yard shot cleared of the line by Nick Taylor three minutes in, and eight minutes in Tim Coombes hopeful shot from out wide drifted just wide of the mark. With just four minutes on the clock substitute Potter weaved his magic and produce a stunning strike to give Cosmos the lead, Potter first touch was brilliant as he controlled the ball well and rifled home a sublime strike for what turned out to be the winner. Rangers threw players forward in the hope of grabbing a late equaliser and had the Cosmos defence not put their bodies on the line as they cleared a series of late chances the game could have gone to penalties, Nick Taylor denying Matty Smith what looked a certain goal and with the ball safely in the Rangers half referee Kevin Purbrick blew for the final time.

Charlie Rawlings, manager of the Trowbridge branch of cup sponsors presstoprint presented winning captain Nathan Sheridan with the Trophy and Cosmos defender Andy Coombes picked up the player of the match award who was outstanding in the heart of the Cosmos back four.

9:45am Monday 21st April 2008

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