CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE WG PARR TROPHY: Dixon on fire as Colerne reach final (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE WG PARR TROPHY: Dixon on fire as Colerne reach final

12:30pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News

PREMIER Division FC Colerne became the first side to book their place in the final of this season’s Westernsport Trophies-sponsored WG Parr Trophy.

Their 4-1 semi-final victory over first division Biddestone White Horse means that they will face either first division leaders Bradford Renegades or third division strugglers Cavalier in April’s final.

After all the bad weather the Rec at Colerne’s Bath Road ground was in good condition thanks to the endless work by club chairman Ian Spirrell in making sure the game was playable.

Both teams settled well and the game was end to end. Colerne should have gone ahead on 20 minutes when good work down the right saw Scott Lees play in Ashley Pechey and for his great cross was missed by both Jake Jefferies and Chris Dixon.

On 30 minutes Biddestone were given a throw in on the right and just in Colerne's half, taken by Dan King, the long-throw specialist, it deceived the Colerne defence and was put in by Tom Lye.

Colerne, who lifted the cup in 2002 and 2007 and were runners up in 2001, had scraped through the previous rounds with a nervy 3-2 win over White Horse and a penalty shoot out success over Miller Sports, both from Division Two and one down at the break an upset was on the cards.

Colerne keeper Brad Bennett was unable to come out for the second half and Charlie Spirrell went in goal being replaced by Liam Fullam in midfield.

The change favoured the home side as Liam Fullam dictated play but only after Biddestone were denied a second early in the second half, Scott Fleming netted only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

After that scare Colerne raised their game and on 60 minutes a ball played across the area by Chris Burling saw Chris Dixon passing it into the net to restore parity.

It was no more than the home side deserved and two minutes later Dixon charging into the area was brought down for a penalty.

The referee pointed to the spot and Dixon blasted the penalty high and down the middle.

Dixon was now on fire and on 65 minutes he met a corner from James Lye to put the home side 3-1 up.

Nick Chandler was introduced on 70 minutes and within two minutes the substitute was rewarded with him side footing home from close range after good work by Liam Fullam.

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