AFTER ending Freshford United’s 100 per cent start to the season last weekend, Anthony Ottavanio’s Bradford United, who started the day in second spot, hosted leaders Castle Combe in what was another heavyweight battle in the race to become Trowbridge Windows & Conservatories-sponsored Trowbridge League, Division One champions.

The clash at Culver Close went the way of Bradford, who overcame an average performance to beat Combe 2-1 and overhaul their opponents at the top of the table.

For Bradford, who came from two down to beat Combe 3-2 when the sides last met in late November, it was a case of deja-vu as they scored two late goals to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for a second time.

Combe bossed the opening stage but were unable to break down a stubborn Bradford defence and, as the first half wore on, it was the home team who came more into it and only a number of excellent saves from Combe keeper Colin Hayward kept the score at 0-0.

Combe finally broke the deadlock on 60 minutes, a twice-taken Clive McDaid penalty putting them one up. Bradford looked down and out, but substitutes’ Max Bouguard and Dan Jones came to their rescue, the former connecting with a Theo Sing ball to lash home an excellent strike to square things up.

With time running out, it was Jones who proved to be Bradford’s trump card.

Ryan Mortimer played in Bouguard who squared the ball to Dan Jones who turned the ball home to seal the three points for Bradford in what was a smash-and-grab raid on a Combe side who really did deserve to get something from a game they controlled for a long time.

With Woodmarsh under water, Trowbridge Town Reserves gave up home advantage and made the short trip across town to take on a Hilperton United side who had beaten them 4-3 in a thriller back in November. The reverse contest was more one-sided as Hilperton coasted to a 6-0 win.

Ben Smith, Ryan Underwood and a Neil Hulford double gave the home team a 4-0 interval lead and their victory was confirmed when Dean Coles and Bradley Whitham completed the scoring in the second half to make up Hilperton’s half dozen.

Warminster Town Reserves were another side who surrendered the advantage of playing at home to get a fixture played.

With their own Weymouth Street ground unplayable after last week's abandoned game between their first team and Devizes Town, they travelled to North Bradley for a meeting with Ben Howe’s title hopefuls.

Warminster, who suffered a 6-1 loss when they sides met in November, were harder to overcome in the reverse match as Bradley were given a run for their money before bagging a 2-0 win that saw both goals come in the second period.

After a goalless first half that saw both teams have chances to take the lead, it was Bradley’s substitutes’ Steve Jackson and Scott Askew who turned the game in favour of Ben Howe’s side.

Jackson came fthe bench to put Bradley in front in the 60th minute and Askew brilliantly headed home a Jamie Young cross late in the game to wrap up victory for the title contenders.