Teams rewarded with a point (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Teams rewarded with a point

10:47am Monday 5th March 2007 in Football By Gazette Sport Reporter

SPENCER Sports and Biddestone Social, who were due not to have a game, pulled out all the stops to ensure that they did not spend another weekend kicking their heels.

Spencer Sports, who had not competed in a league match since the middle of November, gave up home advantage and travelled to Yatton Road to face a Biddestone side who had won four games on the trot and who were looking to avenge their earlier 5-3 defeat against Tom Aust's side.

After 90 minutes both teams were happy to share the honours with a point apiece from a 3-3 draw.

Spencer Sports started with a bang and took the lead after six minutes through Tim Eatough.

Biddestone Social had to wait until the 43rd minute before they got back on level terms with a controversial equaliser.

Debutant Greg Tindell was adjudged to have been fouled in the area and Social were awarded a spot kick which was converted by Jamie Lyons.

Biddestone took the lead in the 56th minute when player-manager John O'Meara rose highest to power home a header after a pinpoint corner from Dan Lardner had picked him out in a crowded area.

Three minutes later Biddestone Social increased their advantage courtesy of new boy Greg Tindell who lashed home a 25 yard left footed beauty to make it 3-1. Just when it was looking as if Biddestone would advance to a fifth straight success Spencer hit back to reduce the arrears courtesy of Tim Eatough's second of the game on 65 minutes. Eatough turned provider for Spencer's equaliser in the 75th minute when his corner was met by Ben Grinham, who headed home to tie the scores at 3-3.

Corsham Centre and Winsley remain locked together at the top of the table after both sides picked up comfortable victories to maintain their unbeaten records.

Corsham Centre, who set the pace at the summit by virtue of their better goal difference, beat Bradford News 7-0 and Winsley won 9-2 away to Sherston Town.

Corsham Centre reserved one of their most clinical performances of the season to date in conditions that grew worse as the game progressed and credit must go to referee Chris Morris and the newsmen for their part in enabling the game to go ahead.

Simon Gray opened the scoring after 15 minutes and Ross Lye made it 2-0 when he rose superbly to head home a James Lye cross.

Three further goals followed from Simon Gray, the second a well angled shot from a super Liam Ralph through ball, to make it 5-0 at the interval.

The second half saw the youngsters in the Centre's back four push forward in search of more goals but it was left to elder statesman Richard Boore to show Shane Godsell, Jamie Moss and Liam Ralph how things should be done when he scored with a diving header.

The final goal saw Scott Lye sell an audacious step over which left Simon Gray to thump home his fifth goal of the game.

Winsley travelled to Sherston Town for what was described as an old-fashioned football match played in old-fashioned football weather, when clubs tried to get games played and worried little about the pitch.

Title-chasing Winsley endured an awful first half, where they failed to really show there superiority. Even so they took the lead when Dan Kovacs neatly headed in after 20 minutes. Five minutes later Carl Harfield was quickest to react to a loose ball following a corner to scoop home his first goal of the season which gave the visitors a 2-0 half-time lead.

Winsley totally dominated the second half and Chris Tricker continued his recent fine form in front of goal to add a third. Dan Kovacs added a fourth when he fired into the corner from 25 yards and Carl Harfield made it five following a superb move involving Kovacs and substitute Dean Ranger.

Sherston pulled one back from the penalty spot after Anthony Vizard had kicked Andrew Backman's heel and the penalty was tucked away by Vizard.

Within minutes Sherston had a second. Chris Tricker's mistake allowed Sherston to take a quick throw and break, which led to Ed Wilkins finding the target. Winsley got back in the groove and within minutes 16-year-old debutant Rob Mannings hit a fierce angled drive into the corner.

Fellow 16-year-old debutant Liam Richards then added number seven. Winsley won a penalty after having numerous appeals turned down and Carl Harfield took the opportunity to score his first ever hat-trick when he just squeezed his poorly struck penalty under the goalkeeper.

Dean Ranger finished the scoring from 35 yards, lobbing the ball back over the goalkeeper to punish his poor clearance.

Dog and Fox Ashley were never extended against basement club Trowbridge Harriers, who crashed to their 15th loss of the campaign as three goals in each half earned the Dog a 6-1 victory.

Charlie Powell netted for the Dog after four minutes and although they had to wait until the 40th minute before they breached the Harriers defence again they were always in command. Mark Robinson added number two and just prior to the break substitute Dan Fowler, who was on for Powell who was injured in the build up to the Dog's second goal, scored with his first touch to make it 3-0.

Nick Quinton, who came on at the start of the second period, did not waste any time in getting on the score sheet when he added number four in the 50th minute with a neat header. Dan Cottrell headed home number five and Cottrell completed the half dozen after 77 minutes with a fantastic strike from 25 yards.

Cottrell missed out a hat-trick when he rattled the bar from close range when it looked easier to score. Steve Latham also missed a sitter for the Dog before Cameron Henley a consolation for the Harriers from the penalty spot.

The weather put paid to the games between Maud Heath Sports and Box Rovers and Westbury Rangers and Holt.