Numbers go against Calne (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Numbers go against Calne

5:28pm Monday 5th February 2007 in Football By Gazette Sport Reporter

WITH British Lion OC in knockout cup action, AFC Calne missed out on the chance to top The Chippenham Sunday League Division Two on their own after Biddestone Arms were unable to raise a team for their trip to Avebury.

The Ship FC were also left kicking their heels following the no-show of FC Bradford who despite being informed that the pitch at the Stallards, Trowbridge, had been passed fit to use by match referee Oderico Rossi failed to turn up for game as they had only six players available and were no doubt hoping that the frost would have come to their rescue.

Rowde remain unbeaten from their nine games to date after they comfortably saw off the challenge of Southwick Sports who finished the game with 10 players and on the end of a 5-0 beating after they had Jamie Alford sent off.

Marcus Wallen gave Rowde the perfect start when he rifled home a 30 yard screamer after just 40 seconds. Rob Mitchell added number two, Jamie Mullens was next on the score sheet before another goal apiece from Wallen and Mitchell made it 5-0 at the break.

Pig and Whistle United were deserving of their 5-0 victory against The Crown Devizes as they outplayed their opponents for long periods.

Nathan Mantle scored two, with Sam Hargreaves, Kia Miller and Adam Young sharing the others. Dave Jenkins had the chance to make it six but he had his penalty saved by the Crown goalkeeper Leigh Wells and he somehow missed the rebound which was easier to score.

White Horse were hoping to build on their 2-1 success of last week which saw them win for the first time in eight matches, but normal services was resumed for the Westbury-based club as they fell 7-1 at home to Sutton Benger.

On a difficult pitch that was hard down the middle and soft down the flanks, White Horse started competitively and the game was very scrappy until Benger took the lead after 20 minutes with a James Pope goal from close range.

For the rest of the first half Benger were in complete control and played some nice football, setting up a stack of chances. Pope added two further goals as he completed his hat-trick and a Chris Rawlings single gave Benger a 4-0 half-time lead.

Benger made two changes at half-time but it was White Horse who scored next with a low long-range effort from Andy Field to make it 1-4. White Horse then had a decent spell and Benger lost their concentration when a few questionable decisions went against them.

Calm was restored after substitute Nick Slade won the ball, played a nice one-two just inside the visitors' half, and strode forward to drive the ball into the bottom corner from 30 yards to make the game safe. Benger relaxed and played some nice football, scoring two further goals from James Pope, who took his total for the match to four, and Chris Rawlings, whose second of the game completed the 7-1 win.