Highworth and Fairford suffer cup stuffings (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Highworth and Fairford suffer cup stuffings

4:31pm Thursday 22nd December 2005 in Football

THERE were stuffings all round for local sides in the GLS Challenge Cup.

Fairford boss Kev Moloney had vowed to give visiting North Leigh a test prior to their second round clash. In the event, it was a 6-1 rout.

Lee Stoddart's goal had reduced the arrears to 2-1 going into the break and Fairford looked in contention.

But North Leigh's attacking class showed after the break with ex-Highworth man Justin Miller among the goals.

Miller's former side can forget about silverware this season after their exit. John Fisher's men were beaten 3-0 at Slimbridge.

In the Supplementary Cup, Malmesbury were beaten 4-1 at Chipping Norton, Andy Mitchell netting the consolation.

In the Hellenic Premier, Shrivenham thumped hosts Kidlington 5-1.

Manager Alan Dyton said: "The first 20 minutes or so was probably the best performance I have seen since joining the club.

"I always felt this game, against the side who were promoted with us, was going to be all about attitude and ours was absolutely first class."

Trying to close the gap between themselves and the Division One West leaders, Wootton Bassett Town were dealt a harsh blow as struggling Cricklade Town held them to a 1-1 draw.

Paul Burke's men only have themselves to blame for the abysmal showing they put in following last week's big win against Heddington.

Cricklade took the lead on four minutes from a Ben Carter penalty. Steve Bunting jumped into Matt Charlton, knocking Charlton to the floor and gifting the home side a spot-kick.

Chris Neale and Iain Ross both had good chances to double the home sides advantage but neither found the back of the net.

On 34 minutes Stu Hemsley equalised for Bassett. Steve Tucker headed a Ben Gascoyne cross goalwards only for Tony Fullerlove to parry it away but the ball fell to Hemsley at the far post and the Bassett midfielder tapped into the open goal.

Cricklade came closest to winning as Dwayne Quinn had to clear a Carter shot off the line.