DIVISION TWO: Derby joy for West end over GRFC (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

DIVISION TWO: Derby joy for West end over GRFC

11:37am Monday 11th February 2013 in News

CHIPPENHAM West End kept their outside chance of a top two finish in Division Two alive.

Aa 4-3 victory for Leighton Joyce’s side was even sweeter as if came against their local sparring partners GRFC, who many years ago were part of the same set up as Old Road Tavern.

A first of the season for Dave Byatt saw him head the West End in front.

A depleted GRFC side, for whom manager Tam Laidlaw had to play his first game in two years, fashioned an equaliser and it was Laidlaw himself who set up Robbie Burton to make it one-each.

Having opened his account for the season earlier in the game, Byatt regained the lead for the West End with his second of the morning with the simplest of tap-ins that gave his team a 2-1 lead at the break.

Tristan Roberts broke his duck for the campaign as he helped the West End open up a 3-1 lead but back came GRFC and they reduced the arrears thanks to a well taken goal from Charlie Austin, who broke clear and raced through the mud and fired home with the aid of the post to cut the deficit to the odd goal.

The West End regained a two goal cushion when James Mulhall went one-on-one and finished well to gain some breathing space for the West End, which proved valuable as GRFC were able to claw a third goal back, Robbie Burton scoring from the penalty spot.

Bbut in spite of the late scare and close misses from Laidlaw, who headed one chance just over the bar and volleyed another effort just wide, the West End saw the game out to claim the derby day spoils and bragging rights until the sides meet again.

Wren FC 2 Southwick Wanderers 5

Bottom of the table Wren FC took a 2-0 lead away at Southwick Wanderers in a match that was moved from Beversbrook but Carl Murray’s side were unable to maintain what was a promising start as Southwick overturned the deficit to claim a 5-2 win.

Southwick, who won the reverse fixture 4-1, got off to the worst possible start as goals from Matthew Fenn and Alfie Bain gave Wren a deserved 2-0 lead.

Southwick’s revival started in the 20th minute when the Wren keeper spilled a shot from Nick Gleeson and Ryan Underwood was on hand to knock home the rebound.

Southwick squared things up on 30 minutes when Jack Parker heded home after Pete Spong’s shot rebounded off the crossbar.

Five minutes into the second half, Southwick edged ahead - Tom Mann setting up Bradley King-Taylor who made it 3-2.

Mann himself added number four for the hosts before King-Taylor deflected in a Mann shot from 18 yards to complete Southwick’s comeback and give them their first win in five games.

MATCHES OFF: Miller Sports v Staverton; Sutton Benger v Goatacre CC FC.