TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: Combe move out of drop zone (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: Combe move out of drop zone

1:00pm Monday 4th March 2013 in Football

CASTLE Combe picked up a much-needed victory at Bradford United to move out of the drop zone of the Trowbridge Windows & Conservatories-sponsored Trowbridge & District League Division One.

Combe’s 1-0 success at Bradford was only their second of the season and their first in eight games since they beat Seend back in September.

Neither side were able to force an opening in the first half and with time running out it looked as if the points would be shared but with just three minutes remaining, Ryan Salter’s third goal of the season was enough to earn Combe their crucial win.

Boomsbury 4 Freshford United 3

IT WAS top versus second at Trowbridge Cricket Club where leaders Boomsbury boosted their chances of winning the title by taking all three points from Freshford United, who now trail Ben Howe’s side my seven points.

Freshford had keeper Chris Birleson to thank for keeping them at 0-0 but he was powerless to stop Boomsbury from taking the lead when Steve Jackson scored from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 after a foul on Carl Davies.

The leaders weren’t ahead for long as a stunning 35 yarder from Russell Whatley restored parity before half time.

After the break Boomsbury retook the lead courtesy of a second penalty from Jackson who scored from the spot after Pete Spong had been brought down.

Freshford’s response was almost immediate, a mistake from Boomsbury keeper Luke Mayne saw him turn Elliot Carris-Smith’s effort into his own net for 2-2.

Darren Jones put Boomsbury in front for a third time but once again Freshford got back on level terms, Chris Bristow making it 3-3.

Steve Jackson scored his third and Boomsbury’s fourth and winning goal after great work from Scott Askew who found the perfect delivery after his mazy run left a clutch Freshford players in his wake. 

North Bradley 4 Trowbridge Wanderers 3

BASEMENT side Trowbridge Wanderers belied their league standing with a fine second-half display at the Peace Memorial, but ultimately came away pointless as North Bradley's good run continued thanks to a 4-3 win.

Bradley suffered an early disappointment as Neil Hannaford's penalty kick was saved by Liam Newble only for Hannaford to net the rebound.

Hannaford then benefitted from his strike partner's patience and delicate touch as Reuben Spong set him up to shoot into the bottom corner for 2-0.

Trowbridge continued to play and grabbed a lifeline when Tom Pang's clever backward header lobbed into the net for 2-1.

Chris Brady tested the home goalkeeper as Bradley stuttered, but their attacking prowess brought them a further two goals before the interval.

First Spong showed good awareness from a corner finishing from 10 yards, then Sam Weston's strength and persistence on the right saw his cross deflected and Hannaford met the stray ball a with a superb volley from the tightest of angles which flashed into the net for 4-1.

Bradley started strongly in the second period and Dean Ranger's header brought a good save from Newble, but a couple of missed tackles lead to Billal Karmouni reducing the arrears for Wanderers.

The visitors grew in confidence and possession with Steve Morris orchestrating much of their good work.

It was a tricky run by Karmouni on the right which saw the ball fall to Pang who put the ball away for 4-3 with 20 minutes remaining.

Finally Bradley increased their work rate and effort as Trowbridge pressed but all to no avail as the villagers ended with a second hard-fought 4-3 victory in three home games.

Warminster Town Reserves 4 Semington Magpies 2

WARMINSTER Town Reserves who had a 5-3 victory at Semington Magpies back in October completed a double over Ricky King’s men with a 4-2 win at their own Weymouth Street ground.

But Magpies, who hit the woodwork on four occasions, can count themselves unlucky not to have got anything from what was a very entertaining game of football.

Warminster got off to a blistering start and were two-up inside 10 minutes, James Collett scoring the opener on five minutes and Shaun Sheppard making it 2-0 five minutes later.

An excellent team move led to Sheppard scoring his second and Warminster's third of the afternoon to give his team a commanding half time lead.

Early in the second half Kelvin Lockwood reduced the deficit for Semington with a tap in, Semington then missed a host of chances.

Andy Harrison hit the post from a free kick, Matty Russell hit the bar also from a free kick and Lockwood and Sam Malone missed open goals before Warminster made it 4-1, 16-year-old Joel Robbins scoring his first for the club.

Semington never gave up and Sam Malone scored a second for Magpies but it was too little, too late as Warminster’s first half showing was enough to earn them their third win of the campaign.

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