CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR: Blades cut Rangers down to size (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR: Blades cut Rangers down to size

2:00pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News

CROSSBLADES had been threatening to do it for the past few weeks, but in the bright autumn sunshine at Nurstead Road, they defied the odds and picked up their first win of the season in Division Four with a convincing performance against a shell-shocked Trowbridge Rangers side.

Crossblades started the game with ferocity and a desire they have not shown so far this season.

Within a few minutes, great work from Mike Booth released Carl Gilbert, Gilbert centered the ball for Carl Jacobi whose deft touch allowed captain Tim Chilton to smash home and put the Blades 1-0 up. 

The Blades continued their unrelenting attacking play and doubled their lead moments after when the sprightly Booth fed Gilbert who again proved his class by finishing with a fierce shot giving the keeper no chance.

Rangers were struggling to cope with Blades midfield and were gifting them too much space to work with.

Gareth Cole was finding plenty of room to manoeuvre in the middle of the park and along with Ben Owers they were dominating central midfield with their assured displays.

With Tayler Worthy and Liam Matthews mopping up all the loose balls at the back and the ageing Ben Rees turning back the clock and proving a healthy diet can prolong your career, the Blades continued to spread the ball around and create chance after chance.

After a good ball from Ben Owers, Mike Booth’s cross was deflected for a corner. Ranger's defence failed to clear the resulting corner and Gareth Cole smashed home to send the Blades in to Euphoria!

Things went from bad to worse for the Trowbridge outfit when fantastic play from Carl Gilbert allowed Carl Jacobi to send the Blades in 4-0 at half time.

After a stern talking to at half time, Rangers emerged for the second half with some fight and impetus.

Almost right away the Blades found it very hard to string several passes together thanks to the Rangers midfield battling hard in an attempt to claw back the 4-0 deficit.

Several half-chances followed but John Hampshire's goal was not breached. Credit to Rangers for the fight they were bringing to this game.

The hard work and spirit of Trowbridge paid off, when poor defending allowed the ball to be poked home from close range by Patrick Kapelka giving a life line to the away team.

Spurred on by this, Crossblades upped their game significantly with Chilton and Cole supplying some good through balls to the strike pairing of Gilbert and Jacobi, both testing the Opposition keeper and forcing some great saves.

Substitute Jamie Weird offered some pace when he was introduced, and the young wondered had an opportunity to get his first league goal when put through.

The young lad fired wide and fell to his knees in disbelief at his glaring miss. Weird atoned for his miss by putting in a very impressive display on the left wing.

Captain Chilton fed Jacobi with a delightful ball and the striker finished with a trademark wallop, only for the goal to be ruled offside.

Crossblades player/manager Tim Chilton said: "'A great victory and thoroughly deserved.

"Credit to the defence for giving the midfield time and space to attack at will. Well done to Trowbridge Rangers also, they made us work very hard for this win and brought a lot of spirit and sportsmanship to this contest.

"Cole, Owers, and Booth were fantastic and the two strikers' movement was a joy to see. A very big thanks to the referee. He controlled the game throughout, was spot on with his decisions and was a joy to play alongside'

Old Road FC 2 Melksham Cosmos 2

EARLY pacesetters Old Road threw away a two-goal lead at home to Melksham Cosmos who, aided with two sendings off, fought back to claim a share of the spoils in a match that provided the first drawn game in the division this term.

Although both teams will be happy with their point apiece from the 2-2 draw it is Old Road who should be the happier as they finished the game with 10 players and only a brilliant performance from keeper Jason Frayling keep them in the game.

Goals from Jamie Smith and Dean Archer who scored with a sublime bicycle kick gave Old Road a two-goal cushion at the break but had it not be for a number of great saves from keeper Frayling the hosts could so easily have gone in three or four down at the interval. 

Matthew Bowden started the Cosmos fightback and Matt Brock completed it when he scored from the penalty spot after Matt Jenkins had handled on the line leading to his red card.  Tom Ball also saw red after picking up two yellow crads.

Pig & Whistle United B 5 FC United of Chippenham 3

PIG & Whistle United B were always in charge in their game at home to a FC United of Chippenham side who played their part in an entertaining contest but came up just short as the Pig claimed their third win in five games to move them into second spot in the table.

Pig & Whistle led through Dan Goldsworthy’s well taken effort but were pegged back when Adam Gerrard fired in. 

A second from Dan Goldsworthy and another Jake Goldsworthy gave them a 3-1 interval lead.

Both Dan and Jake Goldsworthy added to their first half goals in the second period with the former completing a deserved three-timer.

Andy Sayers may not have got on the score sheet for the winners but his efforts led to four assists.

Alex James and a second from Gerrard gave the Chippenham side hope of getting something from what was a tight game but the home side had more than enough in reserve as they saw the game out with ease to seal another win for Adrian Skinner’s men.

MATCH OFF: Sportzcoach Dragonz United v Trowbridge Town Supporters Club.

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