Junior Cup semi finals decided in extra time (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Junior Cup semi finals decided in extra time

9:53am Thursday 23rd March 2006 in Football By Gazette Sport Reporter

Wiltshire League

BOTH Stratton Rovers and Blyskawica reached the semi-finals of the Fountain Trophies Junior Cup following victories over Barron Heating and Marlborough Town.

Both matches went into extra-time, Stratton Rovers eventually ran out winners 5-1 after the side's were level on a goal apiece after 90 minutes.

In a goalless first half neither side gave anything away and honours remained even until midway through the second half when James Toomey made a good run down the right and his cross was headed into the net by Colin Yates to give Rovers the lead.

With time running out, a long ball into the home side's penalty area was spilled by the keeper and Ryan Gardner was on hand to hit the loose ball into the net to send the tie into extra-time.

Rovers skipper Paul Webb netted soon after the restart with Yates adding another to bring the score to 3-1. Danny Wilcox then made it four with a brilliant header and man-of-the-match Ashley Channing scored a fifth to give Rovers a slightly flattering scoreline.

Blyskawica found themselves a goal down against Marlborough Town Reserves Kieran Jennings on target for the visitors. However, Tom Kopinsky led the fight back by equalising and Jeremy Hope then fired in the winner to give his side a semi tie with Junior One leaders Wroughton.

In the Premier Division, Westside recovered from a shaky start to run out 3-1 winners over visitors Shrewton. Not having had a game for four weeks the home side looked out of touch for the majority of the first half but managed to go in at the break a goal up Geoff Swatton scoring a couple of minutes before the break.

After the interval they began to get into their stride and a free-kick by Swatton was turned into the net by Kevin Smith to double the lead and 10 minutes later Swatton added a third from the spot.

Almost from the restart the visitors pulled a goal back when a high ball into the Westside area was headed past his own keeper by Keith Dart to ensure the home defence were kept on their toes for the closing stages of the game.

Relieved Westside boss Joe O'Rourke said: "After four weeks off it was pleasing to get a game under our belts and pick up the points."

New College failed to take advantage of a strong wind in their backs in the second half and were beaten 2-0 by visitors Warminster Town.

Warminster's Tom Welch used the wind to his advantage by scoring direct from a corner and Tom Clifford added a second before the break.

Both sides tried to play football despite the conditions but the College were restricted to long-range efforts by a well organised Warminster defence.

Down Ampney's title hopes suffered a blow at Westbury, losing to the home side 2-0.

Marc Lanfear got a good touch on a free-kick from Alan Clarke to give the home side an interval lead and the same player added a second after the break following a good run and pull back by Nick Wilkins.

Ampney failed to help their cause when they had Jason Howard sent off early in the second half.

Marlborough Town's recent good run came to an end at Devizes, the home side winning by a goal to nil scored by Daniel Sloane from 30 yards.

Malmesbury Vics were also beaten 1-0 at home to AFC Trowbridge Robbie Simmonds scoring the only goal in a scrappy game.

Second in Junior One, Pinehurst OB were beaten at home by Blunsdon 4-2 but only have themselves to blame with Kevin Dunn missing a penalty in the first five minutes.

Steve Challinor and Liam Preedy were on target for the home side and Tom White (2), Luke Hambridge and Craig Green for Blunsdon.

Westlecot United beat Lower Stratton 3-0 thanks to goals from James Lovell, Dean Grifiths and Tom Reynolds, and Castle Combe accounted for Minety 3-1 with goals from Rob Hickman, Stuart Wilson and Chris Yeo.

AFC Stratton shared the points at Biddestone in a 1-1 draw, Graham Dean scored for the home side and club stalwart Peter York for the visitors.

In Junior Two, goals from Joe Jones and Fabian Daniels gave CHQ United a 2-1 win at Aldbourne, Matt Fryer for the home side.

Blueprint were leading QT Swindon by a goal to nil until the last five minutes then strikes from Matt Cole and Rob Hills gave the home side a 2-1 victory.

Meanwhile, the stage is set for an all-Wiltshire League Junior Cup final with Wroughton beating Regent 3-2 with goals from Lee Curtis (2) and Stuart Temple.

In the other semi-final tie Chiseldon Castrol gained a 3-1 win after extra-time against Salisbury and District side Aldbury.