Stuart leaves it late for Rangers (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Stuart leaves it late for Rangers

2:40pm Monday 12th December 2005 in Football

NORTH BERKS LEAGUE: A DRAMATIC late comeback gave Grove Rangers a well-deserved draw at neighbours and Division One leaders Ardington & Lockinge.

Ardington took the lead midway through the first-half with a superb run and finish by the impressive Neil Davies and they increased the lead on the stroke of half-time when Tom Weeks fired home from close range.

Ardington wasted chances to increase their lead when centre-back Eddie Stephenson headed wide and Alan Haines shot inches wide with a curling shot.

The introduction of sub Parris Lewis lifted Grove, and Lewis pulled a goal back when he finished superbly from a tight angle with 12 minutes remaining.

Four minutes from time Stuart Bartholomew's shot from the edge of the box caught a cruel deflection off defender Steve Dolan and looped into the net with home goalkeeper Simon Bunce stranded.

East Hendred climbed off the bottom of the table following a 2-1 win over Harwell International.

Andy Stickley struck a superb 25-yarder for Hendred in the first half and another well-worked move led to Stephen Madge tucking home the decider in the second period.

In Division Two, Appleton (Abingdon) bounced back from their first defeat last week by getting an excellent 2-0 win at promotion rivals Shrivenham A. Mark De Silva headed them in front following a cross from the right and Paul Haines netted the second.

AFC Wallingford A made it ten consecutive wins in the division with a comfortable win over bottom club Long Wittenham Athletic. Andy Allum 2, Christian Orr, Andy Chalmers, Robert Lyons and Tito Rodriguez on target for Wallingford.

Only one game was played in Division Three, as a result of the weather. Stanford-in-the-Vale moved within a point of joint leaders Wootton & Dry Sandford and Blewbury Reserves, thanks to a 3-0 win at Marcham Reserves. Richard Eltham, Will Knight and Jason Evans were Stanford's scorers.

With the top fixture in Division 4 between Crowmarsh and Botley called off, Coleshill Reserves had the chance to make up ground and how they took their chance.

Chris Quinton (2), Shane Blake, Lee Beaver, Sam Thomas and Nic Wodjik scored in a 6-1 away win at Hanney United.