CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE SUBSIDIARY CUP: Glut of goals (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE SUBSIDIARY CUP: Glut of goals

1:30pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News

THE second weekend of Subsidiary Cup matches provided plenty of goals with Biddestone Social the week’s top scorers as they kicked off their Group A campaign with a 13-0 victory over Division Four polesitters FC North Wiltshire.

The top-flight leaders gave veteran John O’Meara his first start in three years and although the prolific striker didn’t find the net himself he had a hand in at least four of his team's goals.

Kris Beasley, who opened the scoring on six minutes, went on to score a hat-trick. Dan Lardner netted four that included two long-range thunderbolts.

Tyler Sibbick scored twice with singles from Martin Johnson, Nathan Phillimore, Danny Jones and keeper Lewis Porter who scored from the penalty spot making up the 13.

Group B: Corsham Park Rangers 1 AFC Melksham 0

THIRD Division leaders Corsham Park Rangers produced a superb display to beat a very depleted AFC Melksham side, who were missing many of their key players due to commitments to the Saturday sides.

A very even game with few clear chances saw both defences and goal keepers Richard Strange (Corsham) and Nick Dibden (Melksham) having confident games.

The battle between Melksham’s Ethan Cox and Rangers Owen Bryant was fascinating as was the midfield battle with thedarting runs of Jordan Kirk that keeping the home defence busy.

The game was won following a rare mistake from the hard-working Chris Dore on 68 minutes.

Rather than put the ball into touch Dore tried to play himself out of trouble, Owen Bryant robbed him and played the ball back to Kent Kauppinen who hit a blistering swerving drive that caught the diving tackle of Cox and deflected beyond keeper Dibden.

Melksham pushed hard to get the equaliser, but despite some close calls couldn’t break down the home defence. Jordan Kirk went a dazzling run from the half way line beating four defenders before setting up Tony McElhone who, opted to go for precession rather than power but fire straight at keeper Strange.

In the final minute Melksham were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out and everyone packed in the Rangers box.

Chris Rogers' strike looked to be heading in only for Strange to deny him an equaliser with a brilliant diving save and shortly after referee Neil Fautley who had an excellent game blew for time.

Group C: Pig & Whistle United B 1 Talbot FC 8

FOURTH division Pig & Whistle United B played hosts to third division opponents Talbot FC in the first of the Group C matches and the result went to form as Vic Long’s Talbot side coasted to an 8-1 win in what was a one-sided affair.

Talbot side started brightly and took an early lead through Dean Fry, a second from Fry when he scored direct from a corner doubled Talbot’s lead.

The Bees continued to do most of the running and were aided by some poor goalkeeping which allowed Simon Vowden’s misguided cross to find its way into the net for visitors third.

Jamie Van Crump added a further two and Fry completed his hat trick to make the half time score 6-0.

The second half saw a change of goalkeeper for Pig & Whistle this led to a more resolute performance from the Melksham side.

However they couldn’t prevent Jamie Van Crump from completing his hat-trick before Jake Goldsworthy scored their consolation.

Alec Wells completed the scoring for Talbot in what was a good spirited game that was well refereed by Maurice Chilcott.

Group D: Kings Arms (All Cannings) 3 Steeple Ashton Rangers 4

TWO defeats in their opening two Group D matches means that Kings Arms (All Cannings) need to produce something special in their next two games if they are going to make the last four.

Jim Wilson’s side were beaten by Prestige Bodyworks a week ago and despite being 3-1 up at home to first division Steeple Ashton Rangers they suffered a 4-3 loss.

Kings Arms knew only a win would be enough to qualify after their loss the previous week and in the first half of the match they went the right way about it, albeit a minor first half setback.

After a relatively quiet first period to the game, mostly dominated by the hosts, it was the visitors Ashton that took a lead against the run of play. Matt Tayler dwelled on the ball at the back and his under hit pass was seized upon by Jake Sainsbury and he took advantage to slide the ball under the keeper.

The hosts then turned possession into goals, as they scored three times in 20 minutes.

Firstly, good wing play by Luke Chant resulted in a cross to the far post, with uncertainty in the Ashton back line Robe Jenks popped up at the far post to draw Kings Arms level.

They then pulled ahead soon after, an initial strike looked to be easily gathered by Nathan Taylor but he spilled to the feet of Simon Drewitt who capitalised on the error.

Just before half time things got even worse for Ashton, a long goal kick was flicked into the path of Chant who beat the offside trap and and showed great composure to slot the ball home for 3-1.

After a dressing down by manager Nathan Holloway at half time, Steeple Ashton looked a completely different team in the second half. It was Jake Sainsbury that will once again steal the headlines, as his second half hat-trick sealed the win for Ashton.

His second of the game on the hour mark came courtesy of a Marc Sheppard long throw, with the throw only half cleared into the air, the ball fell to Sainsbury whose sweetly-struck left footed volley flew past the keeper in the goal.

As the game appeared to be fizzling out, the introduction of Sean Brereton appeared to lift Ashton for the final period, and the substitute almost made an instant impact with his first touch.

His first-time through ball found Sainsbury but his effort ended just the wrong side of the post.

He did however complete his hat-trick moments later, the ball was once again not fully cleared from a Sheppard throw and Sainsbury was on hand to pull Ashton level.

He completed the scoring minutes later, his closing down paid off robbing the defender near halfway, he raced through and the showed the composure to roll it past the keeper for his and Ashton's fourth of the game and ultimately seal a vital win.

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