Centre take control (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Centre take control

10:21am Monday 26th February 2007 in Football By Gazette Sport Reporter

DEFENDING champions Corsham Centre moved back to the top the top of the table after a 9-0 win over Sherston Town.

They share pole position on 24 points with Winsley who held a three point lead over the Centre at the start of the week.

Winsley were without a game after their pitch at Freshford failed a late inspection and also suffered a one point deduction for fielding an ineligible player in their 3-3 draw against Westbury Rangers A back in January.

James Lye opened the scoring for the Centre after 15 minutes and a corner from James Lye on the half hour led to the score being doubled as Ross Lye out jumped Sherston's defence to head home and make it 2-0.

Shane Godsell made it 3-0 before the break and with the second period just 25 seconds old Godsell netted number four. Ross Lye scored number five and followed up with a well struck volley to complete his hat-trick and give the Centre a six-goal lead.

Matthew Ralph moved from defence to attack and soon added number seven when his looping cross found the target. Substitute Simon Gray's diving header from Richard Boore's cross took the total to eight and the biggest cheer of the went to Tim Jefferies, who at last got his name on the score sheet with the Centre's ninth goal after missing numerous chances beforehand.

The Centre's 16-year-old Daniel King produced a man-of-the-match performance and appears to be an able replacement to Tom Ingle who is not likely to return to Pete Ralph's side until April.

Dog and Fox Ashley beat local rivals Bradford News 8-1.

It was former newsman Charlie Powell who opened the scoring against his old team-mates after 15 minutes and Dan Cottrell made it 2-0. A thunderous 35-yard strike from Mark Robinson gave the Dog a commanding lead before Steve Bryant scored his first goal for the side to give them a 4-0 half-time lead.

The Dog and Fox never let up in the second half and Jamie Burbidge furthered the scoreline before another excellent effort from Mark Robinson made it six. Robinson fired home a well taken free kick from 20 yards after replacement goalkeeper Gary Flippin was adjudged to have handled the ball outside of his area.

The newsmen's Matty Gurke, who worked tirelessly throughout, set up Nathan Glass for Bradford's consolation goal before substitute Nick Quinton scored two late goals to complete the eight. Quinton should have completed his hat-trick but the excitement got to him when he fluffed a one-on-one with the newsmen's goalkeeper.

The Dog played the final 25 minutes with just 10 players after Jamie Burbidge retired injured.

Spencer Sports are still waiting to complete their first league match for three months after their game at Trowbridge Harriers was postponed as were the games between Holt and Biddestone Social and Maud Heath Sports and Westbury Rangers A.