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PREMIER DIVISION: The race for this season's premier division title of the Robson Taylor, Chippenham Sunday League might not hinge on the outcome of the result of the Biddestone Social verses Miller Sports match as Biddestone still have Westbury Rangers A to play twice and Corsham Centre A once.

But should the title come down to goal difference then their 14-0 victory over Miller will may well have a bearing as to where the winners crown could end up. Miller were dreadful, shambolic and inept and unprofessional as once Biddestone scored two late first half goals to take a 5-0 interval lead they lost interest in the game and Biddestone scored at will in the second half as once goal number six went in the floodgates opened. Danny Jones scored Biddy's first on five minutes, and Dan Lardner scored his first of five in the ninth minute. Lardner made it 3-0 on 23 minutes and late goals from Jones (41 minutes) and Rob Pocock on the stroke of half time had the game won. Jamie Lyons scored the sixth on 50 minutes and from then on it was target practice as Lardner scored three more to complete his knap hand. Rob Pocock scored another two of which one was the last goal of the game to take his match tally to three, Gary Blackwood, Gary Banks and Shahram Hemarti all scored singles to make up the 14. Biddestone were also in action in midweek when goals from Dan Lardner, Jamie Lyons and Ryan Trowbridge helped them defeat Maud Heath Sports 3-1 and that result couple with the win over Miller Sports saw them open up a five point gap over the inactive Corsham Centre A side and stretched their winning run to 15 matches.

With the race for the title becoming very interesting the battle at the other end of the table is just as intense as three sides are battling to beat the drop to division one, Maud Heath Sports currently in a position of safety after they came from behind to beat Holt 2-1. Maud Heath were unlucky on Thursday night when Darren Holcombe's goal couldn't save them from losing 3-1 against table toppers Biddestone Social, but if Maud Heath are going to stay in the top flight it might just be Holcombe's goals that will save them as he was on target again at the weekend. Holt took the lead through Rob O'Harrow, but Holcombe's eighth goal of the season drew Maud Heath level before the break and his second goal of the game 15 minutes from time gave Maud Heath two much needed points.

The battle of the bottom two sides North Star A and Bradford News at Trowbridge Road, went the way of Calne based North Star whose 2-0 success moved them off the foot of the table to be replaced by the newsmen but they still have a lot to do it they wish to stay in the division and they will view Thursday's night's rematch as a must win game if they are at last to climb out of the bottom two. Dan Allison who has been scoring goals for fun in the reserves in division four, stepped up a few divisions and proved that he can cut the mustard at the highest level as he gave Sat a 1-0 half time lead. North Star sealed maximum points for only the fourth time this season when Darren Legg made the game safe with goal number two. North Star had shown signs of what they could in midweek when they lost 1-0 away at Westbury Rangers A for whom Marc Lanfear scored the only goal of the game.

Box Rovers traveled to Winsley with only eight players and even though a drubbing would have been forecast prior to kick off the eight men of Box under the guidance of Kirk Boobyer did themselves proud as they only suffered a 1-0 defeat and had two goal ruled out. Mike Little scored Winsley only goal of the game, but they missed numerous other chances, however the closest they went to scoring a second was when Chris Foley hit the bar. Luke Wolf was the unfortunate Rovers player who twice thought that he had earned his side a point but on both occasions his efforts were ruled out for offside.

Semington Rovers and Dog & Fox Ashley drew one apiece in a typical end of season encounter that both teams really could have done without. Dog & Fox who played 75 minutes with only 10 players before Steve Roddy turned up for the final 15 minutes fell behind to a Stewart Donohue goal before Steve Wickings netted an equaliser for the Dog. The Dog & Fox also lost in midweek when they went down 5-1 away at Corsham Centre, Tom Rooney scored for the Dog with James Lye (two), Simon Gray, Liam Ralph and Dan Young scoring for the Centre.

All top three side in the Robson Taylor, Chippenham League Premier Division were in action last Thursday night and once again they matched each other blow for blow as all three picked up victories to keep alive their hopes of finishing top dogs at the end of the season. Leaders Biddestone Social maintained their three point advantage over Corsham Centre A after they beat relegation threatened Maud Heath Sports 3-1 to extended their winning run to 14 matches. Player manger Dan Lardner who is having one of his best ever season's in the league opened the scoring for Biddy in the 35th minute when he volleyed home a Jamie Lyons cross from three yards and this was after he had lobbed the Sports keeper Jodi Whiston on 15 minutes but watched in disbelief as his cheeky effort hit the bar. Lardner went close to scoring a second for Biddestone but again he was denied by the woodwork when his 62nd minute free kick cannoned off the post. Biddestone who had been wasteful in front of goal but also found keeper Whiston in fine form fell to the sucker punch in the 74th minute when Darren Holcombe drew Maud Heath level, but within a minute Biddestone had regained the lead, pocket rocket Jamie Lyons who had been a nuisance all game picked up a loose ball on the edge of the 18 yard line, skipped by two defenders before firing home from 10 yards. Ryan Trowbridge put the game to bed 10 minutes from time when after a succession of corners he headed home at the far post to give Biddestone their 3-1 success and another maximum points haul.

Westbury Rangers A manager Shaun Gardiner had one eye on this Sunday's presstoprint sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout cup Final against Crown Cosmos when he picked his team to face basement side North Star A at Meadow Lane and his decision to rest a few of his players almost came back to haunt him as Rangers who could still win the title or finish as runners up were given a harder game than they anticipated by Gary Elliott's battling Star side who gave it their best shot before they fell to a 1-0 defeat as Rangers hung on to their 100% home record with their ninth straight win on their own patch and their sixth league success in a row. It was no surprise that the only goal of the game was scored by Marc Lanfear who found the target after 35 minutes.

Defending champions Corsham Centre A remain in the hunt for a third consecutive title after they overcame a potential banana skin in the form of Dog & Fox Ashley who despite losing 5-1 held the Centre for 65 minutes, but once their defence was breached the goals started to flow much to the relief of a Centre side were at times their own worse enemies as they started bickering between themselves. The Centre who lifted the Wiltshire Sunday Cup last weekend were cautious that they take a massive fall against the Dog who just managed to scrape together a side for the game and they had to play Andy Tozer in goal in place of Craig Guthrie and although it was Tozer's first game between the sticks from 10 years he performed really well especially in the first 45 minutes, the Dog also had to give Gary Williamson his first start for three years and it was also his first time in that period that he played a full 90 minutes after coming back from injury. The Centre who had spurned numerous chances in the first half to take the lead almost fell behind in the 55th minutes when Steve Roddy had a golden opportunity to give the Dog the lead, but only a perfectly timed challenge from Ben Moore denied Roddy what looked to be a certain goal. The Centre finally fashioned an opening on 65 minutes, when James Lye squared the ball for the industrious Simon Gray to head home and you could almost fell the relief around the Meriton Avenue ground that the deadlock had been broken. Five minutes later Simon Gray chased what looked to be a lost cause and gained possession and crossed for James Lye to tap home number two. The impressive Daniel Young drove home number three for the Centre before the imposing Tom Rooney scored his first goal of the season for the Dog & Fox with possibly his first shot of the year, that rocketed into the net giving keeper Ross Lye no chance. 10 minutes from time James Lye scored one of the goals of the season when he spotted keeper Tozer of his line and struck a sublime shot from 40 yards to make it 4-1 and the Centre's fifth and final goal was just as good, Liam Ralph turned his marker and placed a superb strike from 25yards out beyond the keeper on 85 minutes to seal the Centre's victory that takes their unbeaten run to 14 matches.

DIVISION ONE After suffering their first defeat of the season when they lost 3-2 loss away at AFC Calne last Sunday, Division one leaders The Ship FC were expected to return to winning when they visited near neighbours Coyote FC. Chris Carr's WG Parr Trophy winners couldn't have read the script as they routed their fierce rivals 6-0. Coyote were missing, Carl Davies, Darren Jones, Scott Askew who were all instrumental in their cup final victory over Potterne, the Ship were also without Dave Percival and Adam Nunn but apart from those two admissions they had a very good side out, but were out battled by Coyote who were well deserving of their victory. Ali Jaffari opened the scoring for Coyote and Matt Minnis doubled the lead to give them a 2-0 interval lead. A Dan Crease own goal put Coyote 3-0 ahead, Matt Minnis scored number four, Stuart Greener made it 5-0 and Nathan Flower completed the rout with the sixth goal of the game.

With second placed Potterne without a game Rowde who got their promotion campaign back on track with a 6-2 midweek win away at AFC Calne thanks to goals from Marcus Wallen (three), Jamie Mullings, Jamie Selby and Ray Clements undid all their good work by following that success up with a hard earned draw against Biddestone Arms that saw them come from two-nil down to claim a 2-2 draw. Richard Chaffey and Scott Bowen had scored to give Biddestone a 2-0 half time lead, however Rowde battled back with Rob Mitchell reducing the arrears on 60 minutes and then Ray Clements who scored the all important second 10 minutes from time. Rowde are likely to see this a point dropped rather than gained but with so much football to play from now until the conclusion of the season in May we won't know until then just how vital the point might prove to be.

Christian Malford started their game away at AFC Calne with only nine players and although they were bolstered after 15 minutes by a late arrival they always knew they would be up against it as they tried to avoid a 17th straight loss of the season which duly followed as Calne won 4-0. Malford may have been a man short but they contained Calne really well and they continued to keep the lively Calne forwards at bay with stand in keeper Grant Christie having an excellent game. After 37 minutes Calne finally broke through and Mark Dolman scored his first goal of the day to finish off a fine move down the left hand side when he fired home an Aaron Clegg cross. Malford however continued to dig in and began to mount attacks of their own but could not trouble Calne keeper Aaron Ward. Calne also continued to be thwarted by the Malford defence and went in at half time with just a 1-0 lead. With the wind and slope now in their favour, Calne dominated the early exchanges and after 55 minutes Mark Dolman forced his way through two defenders before volleying home his and Calne's second goal. Malford were soon down to nine men as a shin injury to Martyn Mackie forced him out of the game. Calne's pressure led to a third after 62 minutes when Paul Green headed home. Calne substitute James Yates added a fourth after 72 minutes following good work from Mark Dolman on the left and an excellent cut back which left Malford defenders stranded and Yates to volley home. Mark Dolman twice came close to his hat trick but Grant Christie somehow denied him on both occasions. The match ended with no further score and a creditable defensive display by Malford to keep Calne to a 4-0 home win. Calne's victory came on the back of a midweek home defeat by Rowde as goals from Richard Sheffield and Ryan Kelleher couldn't save them from a 6-2 loss against Rowde.

North Bradley slipped to another defeat but can count themselves unlucky not to come away with anything from their home battle with Atworth United who won a seven goal thriller 4-3. Atworth took the lead against the run of play after 20 minutes when Lawrence Brill's free kick from just in his own half sailed over a bemused Mark Binns in the Bradley goal. The home side deservedly drew level minutes later when Matty Coles slid in a cool finish and things got better for the home side when Ryan Baggs took advantage of some indecision by Atworth keeper Joe Menghini to put them 2-1 ahead. Atworth were made to hold on for the rest of the half and were reliant on the impressive Ashley Wheeler who excelled in his holding midfield role breaking up attacks time and time again. Five minutes before the break a great cross field ball from Atworth's Jack Adcock was headed in by Ross Menghini to bring the scores level at 2-2. The early part of the second half continued in a similar vein with Bradley having more of the possession and it was no surprise when Matty Coles smashed home a cleverly worked corner to put them 3-2 ahead. With Atworth struggling to create chances they threw Ross Menghini up front and the prolific midfielder latched on to a superb through ball from Paul Burns to bring the scores level at 3-3 and minutes later he was denied a hat trick when his bullet header from a Craig Rees corner smashed the underside of the bar and away to safety. With less than two minutes to go Atworth's keeper launched a hopeful punt up field which the visibly tiring home defence failed to clear .The ever alert Ross Menghini tried his luck from 20 yards and was delighted to see his shot nestle into the bottom corner to complete his hat trick, his 19th goal of the season and nick two points for Atworth. Praise must go to referee Luke Rudman who enjoyed an impressive game in the middle with his unfussy approach.

After suffering a shock defeat against Atworth United last weekend a first class performance from Rowde on Thursday night saw them get their promotion hopes back on track after their they played their hosts AFC Calne of the park at a wind swept Avebury for whom it was case of after the Lord Mayor's show, as Calne who had beaten leaders The Ship FC 3-1 on Sunday came down to earth eith a bang as Rowde battered them 6-2 and should really have scored a few more on top of the six they did. With the wind blowing a gale both teams knew that the result could depend on which side coped with it best and from the very first whistle it was Rowde, playing up the hill and against the wind they scored first after 10 minutes through Marcus Wallen who was set up by the unselfish Jamie Mullings. On 16 minutes the ball was in the back of the Calne net again much to their displeasure as they thought there had been a handball leading up to Wallen and Rowde's second of the game. Calne dug deep and worked their way back into the game and reduced the arrears in the 30th minute after Paul Green found himself with space and picked out Ryan Kelleher whose first time shot flew into the net.

Calne drew level on 40 minutes, Green was upended in the area and they were awarded a penalty, but with their normal penalty taker Mark Dolman out with a dead leg which he suffered while playing for Calne Town Reserves on Wednesday night, captain Richard Sheffield stepped up and duly scored from the spot to make the score 2-2 at the break. With the wind and the slope I ntheir favour in the second half Rowde were on top immediately and they regained the lead in the 47th minute when Jamie Mullings shot took a wicked bounce and ballooned up and over the unfortunate Calne keeper Aaron Ward to give the visitors a 3-2 lead. Keeper Ward was kept busy by Rowde and they finally made another breakthrough in the 60th minute thanks to Marcus Wallen who completed his hat trick to make it 4-2 and give Rowde the luxury of a two goal cushion which became three when Jamie Selby fire home a brilliant free kick and had it not been for keeper Ward with a string of fine saves Rowde could have scored a few more prior to Ray Clements wrapping up the game with goal number six in the 82nd minute.

North Bradley's patched up side visited Green Lane, Devizes where they met an equally disjointed British Lion team missing most of its defenders but . Undoubtedly Bradley dominated the early exchanges and Matt Coles was unlucky to see his 20 yard shot cannon off Mark Stonestreet's goalpost after only two minutes. It was little surprise to see the visitors take the lead five minutes later when Coles turned a half cleared corner back into the box and centre half Neil Maidment was left unmarked to head home from six yards which was his first goal for Bradley since January 2006. Using the strong wind, the visitors could have extended their lead on 15 minutes as Neil Willcox's corner was met by Coles and this time his header bounced back off the cross bar. With the Lion's makeshift defence at sixes and sevens, Coles was denied by Stonestreet's save and Alan House's follow up was kicked off the Lion goal line by Fran Fife.

It took 30 minutes for the Lion to string anything together and when Darren Brown's neat pass found Nathan West, the tall winger hooked his shot over from close range. The Lion's best move of the half brought them a somewhat undeserved equaliser. Luke Enderby's intelligent pass released Andrew Webster and although his shot hit the underside of the bar, West was hand to drive home the loose ball. Four minutes before the break, Enderby's pass found West on the edge of the box and his shot on the turn was well held by keeper Mark Binns low to his left.

The second half saw a completely different Lion side that at last started to look like they knew each other. Within four minutes of the restart, Stonestreet's long kick was sublimely helped on by Enderby and Webster rounded Binns to make it 2-1. It was 3-1 within a minute as Enderby's back flick rolled into West's path who drilled home from 15 yards. The Lion should have made it 4-1 on 55 minutes but John Stockman was denied by Binn's outstretched leg. Instead, Bradley pulled a goal back within 20 seconds as a lightning counterattack saw Coles finally get on the score sheet from 18 yards. However, the Lion extended their lead to 4-2 on the hour with the goal of the game. Enderby found himself 30-yards from goal and unleashed an exocet that keeper Binns could only watch fly into the top corner. On 72 minutes, Webster set Enderby free but this time the Devizes Town player rolled his shot wide from close range. The Lion effectively finished the contest with seven minutes to go. Enderby's trap allowed West to hit the bar but Webster was on hand to bundle home the loose ball to make it 5-2. On 87 minutes, Binns acted smartly to save West's powerful shot and Enderby's follow up chip dipped just over. Nevertheless, he scored his second and the Lion's sixth with a minute left when he turned home Tom Evans' cross.

DIVISION TWO At the foot of the table Sutton Benger's first victory in four games saw them move five points clear of basement side Horse & Groom whom it was they beat 3-1 to give themselves a fighting chance of beating the drop and leaves the Horse & Groom who have no win in six games a massive mountain to climb if they are to have any hopes of beating the drop. Horse & Groom went into the game on the back of a 17-1 midweek defeat against leaders Cooper Avon, but the Westbury based side started that game with just seven players before finishing it with nine. Against Benger they were hopeful that they could turn things around but it wasn't too be as Benger claimed a comfortable victory in the first meeting of the teams this season. John Fenwick put through his own goal to give Benger the lead and Rob Kent's looping header doubled Benger's lead, before Mark Bolton scored his first goal for Benger since his move from Kingfisher to make the game safe at 3-0. Horse & Groom scored a late consolation when Chris Miles helped a Dave Jenkins shot over the line with the help of a post.

With leaders Cooper Avon unable to raise a team to play Hullavington and Crown Cosmos in Knockout Cup final action, Trevor Rawlings White Hart Combe side took full advantage of the situation to leapfrog Cosmos and close the gap on the leaders to just two points after they came from a goal down to beat FC Bradford 6-1. Mark Robinson opened the scoring from Bradford who then lost keeper Gary Brooks and Chase Johnson through injury that saw them finish the game with 10 players and with Charlie Powell a virtual spectator for the majority of the second half as he was also carrying a knock, Combe gained the upper hand and for Bradford it became a matter of damage limitation. Ed Baldwin drew Combe level on the stroke of half time and when Lee Fernandez put Combe ahead early in the second half Combe took complete charge of proceedings. Fernandez's second of the game made it 3-1 and substitute Shane Bell added number four with his first touch seconds after coming on. Bell scored goals number five and six to complete his quick-fire hat trick and wrap up the win that took his sides unbeaten run to 12 games and had it not been for the woodwork that twice denied James Stone and kept out efforts from Fernandez that denied his a hat trick and Ben Munns Combe's win would have been even greater.

Pig & Whistle United claimed a surprise victory over Hullavington that ended any outside chance the villagers had of sneaking a top two finish. Melksham based Pig & Whistle who had picked up just one point from their previous four games turned the form book on it's head as they avenged their 7-1 defeat from earlier in the season with an excellent 4-1 success. It was no surprise that the Pig's top scorer Nathan Mantle found his name on the score sheet but it was a big surprise to see him joined by Danny Cole and Tom Drewitt, Cole scored his first goal for a year and Drewitt also broke his duck for the campaign with a brace which was also his first goals for just under a year. The division's top scorer Ed Wilkins who took his tally for the season to 33 with the loser's solitary effort scored Hullavington's consolation.

The sun might have been shining last Thursday night but it was raining goals at the Conigre, Melksham where leaders Cooper Avon opened up a five point gap on the chasing which is currently headed by Crown Cosmos and Gary Newman's gave their goal difference a massive boost after they ran riot against their guests The Horse & Groom who are presently rock bottom as they cantered to a 17-1 victory over the Horse who started the game with seven players but finished it with nine after two more turned up 30 minutes into the one sided battle. James Ponsford headed Cooper ahead after three minutes and went on to score a hat trick. Substitute Josh Robinson bagged a brace, Paul Walker, Dan Waylan, Tom Robinson, Graham Griffiths all scored singles. Simon Gillatt took the scoring honours for the night as he netted the other eight that included the final goal of the game, which moved the tyre men within six goals of hitting the century mark for goals scored.

9:49am Monday 21st April 2008

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