Top two in sight for Bromham (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Top two in sight for Bromham

5:30pm Monday 5th February 2007 in Football By Gazette Sport Reporter

FRONTRUNNERS Bromham (Sunday) kept their dreams of a top two finish in Division Four alive as they maintained their advantage over AFC Bell, who were without a game.

Bromham had to dig deep and show their fighting spirit as they overturned a two goal deficit at half-time to run out 4-2 winners at home to The Crown FC who were seen as a potential banana skin to Bromham's chances of success this term.

Adam Bewley, who making a guest appearance for the Crown since his move away to Bristol, scored from the penalty spot to put visitors 1-0 up and when Bewley's defence splitting pass found Jake Fisher, Bromham found themselves two down as Fisher finished with aplomb.

Bromham stormed back in the second period and reduced the deficit through Sean Kingsbury and the unlucky Mark Roach then put through his own net to make it 2-2.

The stage was then set for a frantic climax to the game and it was Bromham's star man Freddie Paget who came up with the goods as a double from the youngster saw his team record their 13th triumph of the campaign.

Little George FC played their first league match since before Christmas when they entertained Corsham United who they had already beaten 8-2 earlier in the season.

Although the George registered a league double the scoreline was a lot closer than had been predicted as United battled bravely before losing 4-1.

Nat Auckland gave George an early lead and when Tom Jones added number two the floodgates were expected to open, but it was not to be as United struck next, with Dominic Reed making the most of a defensive error to reduce the arrears.

Little George regained their two-goal cushion courtesy of Auckland's second goal of the game and the points were made safe when Auckland completed his hat-trick to take his tally for the season to 22. The scoreline may have been a lot higher had United's goalkeeper Chris Light not been in fine form throughout the game, denying the George on numerous occasions.

Chippenham West End Club suffered their first defeat in five outings as AFC Melksham gained revenge over their opponents who had beaten them 4-2 back in December. On a sticky pitch at Kington Langley, Melksham ground out their eighth win of the campaign to keep alive their slim hopes of finishing in an automatic promotion berth.

They were grateful to striker Gareth Evans whose first half effort was enough to give them a 1-0 win. It was Evans' fifth goal in three outings since his move from Pig and Whistle United.

Churchill Arms hit eight unanswered goals against wooden spoon favourites Old Road Tavern, whose 8-0 defeat was their 13th defeat on the trot. Myles Hickton bagged four of the eight, with Ryan Smith, Robin Gorman and new additions Phillip Simmonds and Geoffrey Jenks scoring one apiece to make up the total.

With two wins from their last two matches, Devizes-based Rising Sun FC were hoping to make it a hat-trick of victories when they visited Wanderers and at the interval they looked a good bet to take maximum points for a third successive week as they led their hosts 2-0.

But the script did not go to plan in the second half as Wanderers hit back to win 3-2.

The Riser were under the cosh for the first 20 minutes which saw Neil Collett go close to breaking the stalemate for the Wanderers when his effort hit the post.

Against the run of play, Rising Sun fashioned an opener through Chris Burgess who headed the visitors in front after 30 minutes. Ten minutes later Gary Turnbell lashed home from 20 yards to make it two-nil to the Riser but unlike previous weeks things went against them in the second 45 minutes as a couple of inspired half-time substitutions helped Wanderers turn the game around.

James Starr, who came on at half-time, headed home Dylan Turner's excellent cross after 58 minutes to reduce the gap and five minutes later Craig Harman picked out Domonic Shepherd who volleyed home a beauty to tie the scores.

With 12 minutes remaining Shepherd side footed home Wanderers' winner after good work from Collet and Harman.

The game was bought to an abrupt end after 88 minutes by referee John Wood following a serious looking injury to the Rising Sun's Steve Foord.

North Star B would love to play Trowbridge Town Supporters' Club every weekend as they have yet to drop a point against the Town in any of their encounters to date.

The Star's 2-1 victory over the Town saw them extend their winning run over their rivals to four matches, but not the first time the Town surrendered a lead to let the Star take all the points.

John Green put the Town 1-0 up but goals from recent signings Ashley Lawrence and Dan Allison won the game for the Calne-based team.