SPORT: Promotion dreams realised (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

SPORT: Promotion dreams realised

4:22pm Monday 14th May 2007 in Football

Almost a year ago to the day a 1-0 defeat against Holt saw Semington Rovers miss out on promotion to the top flight, but going into their game against First Division leaders North Star A on Sunday Allan Clarke knew that his Semington side had already booked their place in next seasons' Chippenham Sunday League premier division line up after they defeated Coyote FC 7-0 in midweek, Coyote played the whole match with 10 players which included Chris Carr playing in goal, and it was the unlucky Carr who put Semington ahead when one of his own defender's saw an attempted clearance hit his keeper before ending up in the net. Stuart Barber scored three, Nathan Walker two and Josh Mills made up the seven.

Semington's victory set up a mouth watering decider with the Star, where the victors knew that they would be crowned champions and the losers would have to settle for second spot. After a punishing 90 minutes a thrilling match which was played in atrocious whether conditions was edged 2-1 by Semington to leave them celebrating at the final whistle. Semington's Bobby Mitchell went closest to opening the scoring when on seven minutes he drove a fearsome effort inches wide of the target. Minutes later the Star's Nick Fielding unleashed a thunderbolt from 25 yards which Semington's keeper Tom Wysocki did well to keep out. With both defences on top and the midfield evenly match the game flowed from end to end with the next chance coming in the 26th minute, after great build up play the Star's Tommy Ludford should have done better but shot straight at keeper Wysocki. Almost immediately at the other end Semington's Kelvin Lockwood glanced a header inches over the bar. A hectic final few minute to the first half saw Liam Richards and Kelvin Lockwood both go close for Semington and Pete Thornton have a free kick well saved by Wysocki.

North Star made a great start to the second period and almost broke the deadlock on 48 minutes through Mark Dolman whose tremendous 30 yard strike just flashed the wrong side of the posts. It was going to take something special to force an opening an it finally came in the 51st minute and it was the Star who took the lead via Tommy Ludford's glorious drive from 22 yards, Ludford collected the ball 30 yards from goal, went unchallenged before rifling home an awesome strike which gave keeper Wysocki no chance.

Semington were almost on level terms 10 minutes later when Richard Allum arrived at the far post but his effort from a Nathan Walker free kick was kept out by the woodwork. On 65 Semington made the move of the game when they bought on Josh Mills, who almost made an instant impact as Mills set up Bobby Mitchell who shot inches wide of the target. In the 70th minute Mills broke clear of his marker and his lighting strike look goal bound until Star's keeper Michael Bell produced a stunning one handed save to deny him an equaliser but he was unable to keep out Semington's next attack as the hosts dragged themselves level two minutes later when Kelvin Lockwood lashed the ball home from 12 yards. Semington won a corner in the 76th minute that was sent into the area by Mills and Stewart Donohoe swept home a fantastic finish to give the home team a 2-1 lead. The final five minutes saw Lockwood, Stuart Barber and Mills have chances to make the game safe for Semington and North Star's Mark Dolman wasted a glorious opportunity to tie the scores at the death when his header dropped just wide of the goal. In spite of the dreadful conditions both teams were a credit to the league and should be a good addition to the premiership for next term. After the game Semington's manager Allan Clarke was presented with the cup along with the mementos for winning the league.

At the foot of the table Hullavington will join Chippenham Police in division two next season after they lost 8-3 against Coyote, Hullavington gave up home advantage and travelled to Trowbridge where they were met by a Coyote side who were in extraordinary form in the first half as they raced into a 6-1 lead thanks to Scott Askew who returned to form for Coyote with a hat trick, plus two from captain Dave Sykes and one from Pete Spong.

Hullavington faired a lot better in the second half but they were unable to reduce such a big deficit even though Phil Garland scored twice to complete his hat trick having scored the villagers first half effort. Coyote's second half goals came from Askew who took his tally for the game to four and another effort from Spong.

Chippenham Sports & Social Club who were also fighting to avoid the drop would have remained in the division by virtue of their 1-1 draw at home to Kingfisher FC which saw them finish one point clear of Chippenham Police and two clear of Hullavington who had they beaten Coyote would still have suffered a second successive relegation as Chippenham Sports had a better goal difference. After a goal less first half Jason Bull fired the Sports ahead on 50 minutes and although Nick Still restored parity for Fisher 15 minutes from time a point was good enough to earn survival for the Sports.

Colerne are guaranteed third spot behind both Semington and North Star, thanks to the three points that they took from their two midweek matches, Colerne werefrom convincing when they beat North Bradley 2-0, as Bradley started with 9 players which soon become eight when they lost Craig Brown with a head injury. Bradley held out until just before the interval when Brian Doyle put the home team in front. Bradley were reduced to seven players after an ankle injury to Leigh Trainer left him needing hospital treatment. Jamie Bowler scored Colerne's second.

They then had to settle for a share of the spoils from their Thursday night meeting with Kingfisher FC who finished the game nine players after having both Jason Cole and Ryan Nicholls sent off for two bookable offences.

Kingfisher took a first half lead when a poor clearance from Colerne's keeper fell to Ryan Nicholas who fired home the opener, Brian Doyle restored parity for Colerne and they could have won it had Charlie Spirrell not missed a penalty.

Both Colerne and North Bradley were unable to raise a team for their Sunday morning matches against respective opponents Potterne and Foresters Arms, both games will now be played this coming Sunday.