Chippenham Sunday League September 17

Premier Division side Winsley will have a week off next Sunday, after their surprise eliminated from the presstoprint-sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup, at the hands of second division Southwick Sports whose 3-2 victory in the only game of the preliminary round has set them up with a mouthwatering tie away at third division leaders Southgate Inn.

Dean Ranger tied things up for Winsley after Gary Rice had put the so called no hopers ahead.

Marc Harewood regained the lead for Southwick before Sam Simpson made it 3-1 and even though Paul Ranger pulled a goal back for the top flight side couldn't prevent them from suffering a shock defeat to Southwick who defended well to hold out for a well deserved win.

Premier Division

WITH players on holiday and away at a wedding Box Rovers were unable to field a team for their planned clash with rivals Corsham Centre in the Premier Division of the Auto Business Solutions Ltd, Chippenham Sunday League.

With the leaders Centre devoid of a game it meant that the winners of the game between Holt FC and Westbury Rangers A would move to the top of table and it was Rangers who took over pole position from the inactive Centre side by virtue of their 5-3 success over their hosts. Goals from Tim Coombes and Sam McQueen had put Rangers two up prior to Tom Pang and then a wonder goal from Tyler Pang bring the scores level.

There proved to be no great escape for Holt as McQueen's second of the game saw Rangers retake the initiative and when Coombes added a fourth for Rangers with his second of the contest things were all but wrapped up for the visitors who added their fifth via Marc Lanfear who slotted home from the penalty spot and even though Tom Pang scored a 3rd for Holt it was a case of too little to late for the villagers.

Biddestone Social finished their game against Maud Heath Sports with only ten players on the park following an injury to Ryan Trowbridge, but in spite of being one man short they had already done enough to record their first victory of the season courtesy of a 5-3 scoreline.

John O'Meara may not have got on the score sheet for Biddy put he played a part in 4 of their goals beginning with their 1st on 3 minutes when he set up Kris Beasley who crashed the ball home from 18 yards. O'Meara again turned provider for Danny Jones who doubled the score in the 21st minute. Graham Dean halved the deficit on 54 minutes, but shortly after, O'Meara's pass found Dan Lardner who made it 3-1. Mike Few added number four with a stunning shot on the turn from 12 yards on the hour mark. Maud Heath worked their way back into the game and a awesome strike from Chris King on 74 minutes was followed by an even better finish from Darren Holcombe five minutes later that gave stand in keeper Kevin Bank no chance of saving, and had Gordon Banks been between the sticks the outcome would have been the same.

Just when Maud Heath were thinking that they might get something from the game, O'Meara was upended in the box and the resulting spot kick was put away by Beasley for his second of the game and Biddy's fifth.

Bradford News were unable to continue their good run of form against their local rivals Dog & Fox Ashley who should have won by a higher margin than they did as they labored to a 2-1 victory over the newsmen. The Dog took 40 minutes to make the breakthrough but a defensive mistake gifted Dan Cottrell the opener for the Dog. Another mistake just prior to half time saw Steve Roddy win the ball in midfield before drilling the ball home with the help of the crossbar to give the Dog a 2-0 lead to take into the second period.

The newsmen's Russell Francis gave them hope of getting back into the game when he made it 2-1 and they were left a little aggrieved at the final whistle after Jamie Davis had what everyone apart from the referee thought was a perfectly good goal ruled out. Having been awarded an indirect free kick, Davis saw his effort tipped into the net by keeper Aaron Harford, but even though both teams returned to the centre spot ready to restart the game the goal was ruled out to the dismay of both teams and the disgust of the newsmen.

Sherston Town came from behind three times against Spencer Sports to earn themselves a deserved shared of the spoils from their 3-3 stalemate. James Taylor was first to find the net for Spencer with Ed Wilkins restoring parity.

James Eatough regained the lead for Spencer before Dane Price tied the game at 2-2. Tim Knight looked to won the game for Spencer, however once more Sherston stormed back with James Higgs rifling home to complete the scoring in a thrilling game.

Division One

NORTH Bradley remain top and are the only team that can still boast a 100 per cent record after they beat Potterne 5-2.

In an entertaining game with some great football played by both teams Bradley came close from a corner after 14 minutes, when Paul Riley's goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Lee Sanders. Potterne's best effort of the first half came midway through the half when a back heel put Jonathan Emm through on goal, his first time strike was well saved by Mark Binns. With the first half finishing goalless there was no signs of what was about to happen in the second half as Bradley hit the goal trail to inflict the losers with defeat number 3 of the season while maintaining their own impressive start.

While Potterne's Joe Unsworth was receiving treatment off the pitch, North Bradley pushed Potterne's 10 men back in their own half, and were rewarded with a goal from Stuart Powell, whose long range volley on 54 minutes beat Steve Bowell and crashed in from the underside of the crossbar.

Four minutes later Potterne were 2 down, after Chris Fardell's shot was deflected into the goal by Matt Munday. Potterne pushed forward and on 60 minutes Pete Huntley's well taken corner found Ben Giles at the back post who rose high to head in a great goal.

A piece of individual skill from Chris Fardell on 65 minutes restored Bradley's 2 goal lead, he picked up a free kick from 40 yards on his chest, turned, and volleyed a thunderous strike into the roof of the net. Bradley extended their lead to 4-1 when Ben Giles deflected Tim Richards effort over the line. Potterne's second goal came when Huntley's cut back was met by Lee Sanders, who fired low into the bottom corner.

With Potterne pushing hard, Bradley caught them on the break in the last minute of normal time, Andy Colebrooke picked up a pass out on the right, two touch's later its 5-2 North Bradley.

Kings Arms (Trowbridge) moved up to second spot after they saw off a the challenge of Chippenham Sports & Social Club, the Arms have been far from their best in the opening two games but against the side from Chippenham they turned in a display that they will want to build on as the season progresses. Jamie Young put the Arms ahead and Scott Askew gave them a two-goal cushion before Shane Bell halved the deficit for Chippenham. The win was sealed for the Arms by Askew who had a penalty save by keeper Graham Jones but he was unable to prevent Askew from following up to knock the ball home that gave the Arms both points.

Semington Rovers and FC Colerne had to settle for a point apiece from their 2-2 draw, Stuart Donohoe gave Rovers the lead following an excellent team move. Richard Smart levelled matters for Colerne and Jake Jefferies first of the season put Colerne up at the break. Rovers long serving player Stuart Barber came to their rescue with a well-deserved equaliser, which tied the game, a 2-2.

Kingfisher heaped more misery on Chippenham Police, their 8-2 victory over the boys in blue means that the Police have lost their opening 3 games on the season and in the process have conceded 24 goals which leaves the rooted to the foot of the table as one of three teams who to date have yet to get any points on the board.

Jason Cole thumped home the opener for Kingfisher who led 3-1 at the break with Paul Maddox scoring the other two with Alan Farnish putting though his own goal to give the police a glimmer of hope.

As in previous weeks the Police crumbled in the second period and further goals from Gavin Ferris (2), Ben Thomas (2) and Nick Still allowed Kingfisher to run out easy winners, Chris Fairburn's first goal for the Police was their other consolation.

Hullavington claimed their first win since suffering relegation at the end of last term, and their 5-0 triumph over Christian Malford was well worth the wait albeit over a Malford side who played the majority of the game with only 10 players following an injury to Ben Lyons, Craig Samuels netted twice for the winners with Mark Lane and Jamie Brown scoring 1 each the other come from the unlucky Declan Flood who put through his own goal.

Foresters Arms have lost last season's top goal scorer Mark James to local rivals AFC Pilot but his departure had little effect on his former side as they beat Atworth United 4-1 to move into the top half of the table. Josh Robinson was on target after only 6 minutes, and 4 minutes later Rick Noonan made it 2-0 before another strike from Robinson took the score to 3-0 and when Steve Pegler added number 4 on 40 minutes the game was all but over as a contest. Although United pulled a goal back through Craig Rees at the start of the second half it proved only to be a consolation.

Division Two

HAVING scored 19 goals in their opening two games of the campaign Division Three leaders AFC Calne were confident that they would coast past The Crown Devizes and add another cricket score to their goals for tally, but that was not to be the case, Calne won the game but they had to wait until the 88th minute to secure a 1-0 victory with Simon Dance scoring the only goal of the game that sees them top the table with 3 win on the bounce.

Rowde are another team with a perfect record and are emerging as possible title challengers at this early stage of proceedings after they destroyed Fascia Graphics 8-3. Marcus Wallen's crisp finish added to Jeremy Spruce's own goal put Rowde 2-0 to the good before Neurin Jones cut the gap for Fascia.

An excellent team move led to Wallen producing the finish that the build up deserved when he scored Rowde' 3rd with a magical finish from an acute angle. Jamie Mullens made it 4-1 and although Mark Dolman added a 2nd for Fascia it was Rowde who struck again with Mullens, Ray Clemence, Darren Griffin and an incredible solo effort from Nathan Moffet completing the their eight.

Neurin Jones was on target with Fascia's third, although the result seems one sided in favour of Rowde it could have been a lot different had their keeper Ashley Robinson not been in fine form between the sticks in the first period, producing a number of incredible stops to keeper out Fascia.

Credit must go to The Ship and British Lion OC who both played their part in a sensational game of football that finished 7-6 in favour of British Lion who found themselves trailing 5-0 after 20 minutes and 6-4 down with just six minutes to go before turning the game on it's head and win an amazing game of football. The Lion started brightly with Danny Powell blasting two half chances over in the opening minutes, it was The Ship who took the game by then scruff in a sensational ten minutes spell.

On eight minutes confusion between Lion's Mikey O'Donnell and Shane Holloway allowed Ship's Dave Appleyard to set up Lee Hayward who fired home from ten yards. A minute later Shaun Percival's free kick kicked wickedly in front of keeper Mark Stonestreet and it was 2-0 to The Ship.

The third on 12 minutes came from Ashley Bennison's long throw that was dropped by keeper Stonestreet and gleefully tapped home by Dave Percival. With the Lion in tatters, Ship's midfielders Bennison and Shaun Percival ran the game and it was no surprise when on 15 minutes, Bennison was left with far too much space to run from midfield and clinically finish. It was 5-0 on 18 minutes, this time Dave Percival was on hand to tap in when Stonestreet could only parry Scott Cunningham's shot.

Stunned by The Ship's onslaught the Lion desperately tried to get back into the game. On 28 minutes, Luke Mayne fumbled Holloway's rasping 30-yard drive but the keeper recovered before the ball crossed the line. In the 35th minutes, the so far quiet Rob Drown robbed Appleyard but Mayne saved well from the midfielder. Mayne again came to the rescue of The Ship a minute later when he brilliantly saved Andrew Webster's diving header. From the resulting corner, Appleyard cleared Webster's header off of the line but could do nothing as Danny Powell headed home the loose ball to make it 5-1 at the interval.

Whether The Ship took their foot off the gas or Phil Oliver's half-time roasting inspired the Lion, but the game completely turned in the second period. On 47 minutes, substitute Luke Enderby's cross was held up by Webster and Drown drilled home to make it 5-2. Immediately after, Webster's flick found Enderby and Mayne saved well. It was 5-3 on 50 minutes, the enigmatic Drown turned sharply in The Ship penalty area and fired home.

The introduction of Enderby was paying dividends and the young striker was denied on 55 minutes by Mayne, but it was Enderby who created the Lion's fourth on 62 minutes when he held up the ball to allow Nathan Westside to send a 35-yard screamer into The Ship net.

Any jubilation and belief that the Lion had was flattened within two minutes. Liam Milburn's cross was calmly slotted home by Hayward to make it 6-4 to the Ship. The Lion clawed themselves back and chance after chance was either saved by Mayne or eluded an outstretched leg.

Desperation and tired legs threw the Lion back at The Ship. On 86 minutes, O'Donnell's curled corner was met sweetly by Dave Crawford's head to make it 6-5. The goal gave the visitors hope and a minute later Andy Stonestreet's cross-cum-shot bent wickedly at Mayne's near post and crept in to make 6-6. A point became two for the Lion as in the dying seconds, O'Donnell's free-kick was met by Andrew Webster to head home from 12 yards and see the Lion snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Sutton Benger claimed their second draw in as many weeks as they battled out a 4-4 draw at home to Biddestone Arms who dropped their first point of the season. Chris Mochan, Jack Goodship, Andy Davis and Paul Dixon shared Biddestone's goals while James Pope netted his first hat trick of the season for Benger with Rob Humphries grabbing the all-important 4th and equalizing goal. Pope had the chance to win it for Benger, but had his penalty saved, even though the ball rebounded kindly to him, he shined his next effort over the bar.

Dan Waylan scored twice and also missed a penalty for Pig & Whistle United in their 5-2 victory at home to The Horse & Groom who are still searching for their first win in the division. Second half substitute Nathan Mantle also scored two for United after Stuart Avery had opened the scoring for the Melksham based side. The Horse replied with a spectacular strike from Tom Hanks and James Chaventre for whom it was his first goal for the club.

FC Bradford were unable to raise a team for their trip the Cement Works, Westbury where they were due to face White Horse FC. The home team were left frustrated by Bradford's decision to postpone the game especially as they had played the previous week with only 10 players themselves, but although they suffered a heavy defeat they never considered calling the game off.

Division Three

CORSHAM Park Rangers were tipped to be among the clubs fighting to avoid the drop come May, but at this early stage of the season they are defying the odds and currently lie in second spot in Division Three. Rangers were up against White Hart Combe who have still to find their feet since being pushed up a division after finishing in fourth place in division four after the last campaign.

Rangers were out played for long periods of the game but took the lead on six minutes against the run of play through Kevin Hodgkinson. James Stone dragged Combe level and he also had a first half goal disallowed. On 63 minutes Kelvin Stewart broke clear to put Rangers 2-1 ahead and three minutes later debutant Kevin Bance made it 3-1. Combe never gave up and the closest they came to getting back into the game was when Lee Fernandez rattled the crossbar and come the final whistle Rangers were a little flattered by their 3-1 success.

The Southgate Inn may have been missing a few of their top players which included David Lloyd for the visit of Cooper Avon but they still had enough fire power to send the tyre men back to Melksham winless as Southgate prevailed to claim a 4-2 victory which left them as outright leaders of the division. Paul Walker and Shane Thornton found the target for Cooper but a treble from Nathan Sheridan and 1 from Jamie Gale kept Southgate's 25 match unbeaten run intact.

AFC Pilot took the points away from Westbury Rangers B after controlling proceedings and hitting 4 unanswered goals. Pilot took the lead on 20 minutes when a Rob O'Harrow cross was powerfully headed home by Greg Wilmot. Pilot extended their lead and it was Wilmot again who found the mark when he finished a Chris Bishop flick on with ease. Tony Couch and Lee Jackson had chances to increase Pilot's lead but they were more than happy to settle for a 2-0 half time lead.

In the 2nd half Westbury tightened things up and could have scored on a number of occasions themselves but Pilot's back line held firm. Pilot went 3-0 up on 62 minutes through Chris Bishop after he raced clear beating the offside trap and coolly slotting home. 2nd half substitute Julian Putt scored the pick of the goals when he beat three players and then the keeper to round off an excellent Pilot display.

Pack Horse Rangers chalked up their first win of the season away at Chippenham United RAOB who they beat 5-1. Another solid display form Rangers keeper Del Llewellyn helped their cause but it was Justin Darby who opened the scoring when he curled the ball home direct from a corner.

Glyn Pascoe converted Simon Reid's cross to make it 2-0 and Phil Clark's sharp shot on the turn saw the score move to 3-0. Darby turned provider for Ranger's 4th when he picked out Dan Jackson who was left with a one on one situation and he powered home to make it 4-0.

Rangers left the best till last and Dan Pickford stole the limelight from his team mates when he ran from his own half beating 6 players before dispatching a amazing strike to seal Rangers 5 star victory, Ben Smith replied for United.

Somerford remain winless and at the foot of the table after they lost 4-1 away at the Sir Audley's Arms for who Luke Gullick netted a hat trick and Kieron Smith added the other, Somerford's consolation came from Scoot Hatton.

Wheatsheaf FC suffered a surprise 2-0 lost at home to Biddestone White Horse, Sam Collier applied a deft flick to a Tamlyn Goodrich corner on 17 minutes which put the Horse ahead. On 64 minutes Scott Fleming's cross was turned home by Paul Clifford, any chance Wheatsheaf may have had of staging a fight back was ended shortly after when Graeme Neale was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Division Four

BILLED as the top game in Division Four the match between AFC Bell and AFC Melksham lived up to all expectations and resulted with honours even after the sides battled out a 2-2 draw.

The first period was edged by the Bell who led via an Adam Taylor goal. The second half was a more lively affair as Luke Ballinger took his tally for the season to seven in three matches when he scored with a sweet left footed shot. AFC Melksham showed their pedigree as they managed to get on top of the Bell and gain the advantage when Andy Harrison put the m2-1 in front.

The Bell fashioned an equaliser which owed much to the clumsiness of Martin Barber who gave away a penalty late on and the resulting spot kick was tucked away by Craig Smith to earn Bell their point.

Little George FC are having their best ever start to a season, and this is borne out by the fact that at this early stage they are sitting on top of the table having won two and drawn one, of their 3 matches to date, the George hosted Bromham (Sunday) and a 3-1 triumph was good enough to give them the points on offer.

An exquisite lob from Tom Jones and a brilliant goal from Nat Auckland saw George lead 2-0 before Chris Sampson reduced the lead. Another stunning goal from Auckland who is proving to be a great signing made it 3-1 and sealed the win, Auckland missed out on what would have been a deserved hat trick when he rattled the post with another thunderous drive.

Corsham United, suffered their third straight loss since joining the league, and the 7-2 defeat they suffered away at Wanderers was their heaviest defeat to date. Dominic Reid and Alex Mitchell found the net for United but their goals were never going to be enough to save them from defeat against a rampant Wanderers side for whom it was their first win of the new campaign.

Steve Jackson scored the first three goals for Wanderers, Damion Shepherd added number four when he headed home an Andy Hill cross. Stuart Farr drove home from 25 yards with number five, Craig Harman completed the half dozen and Farr scored his second of the game and Wanderers seventh when he headed home a Tim Cross corner.

North Star B were caught cold early on and found themselves behind to Churchill Arms after just 2 minutes, when Alex Duncan found the net, according to the Star's manger Martin Bance his team were still in the changing room, things went from bad to worse for the Star when Darren Lymath turned Ryan Smith's shot into his own net to make it 2-0. Dave Lymath clawed one back for the Calne based team but it couldn't prevent them from losing 2-1.

Trowbridge Town Supporters Club defeated Old Road Tavern 2-0, Jean Claude (JC) Brown scored after 22 minutes and Pete Bradby made the game safe with the second from the penalty spot.

Chippenham West End Club occupy second spot in the table after they defeated Rising Sun 4-1. Tristan Roberts opener for the West End Club was wiped out by Mark Torr's equaliser.

Karl Crawley delightful overhead kick retook the lead for the West End and when Josh David added number 3 with a stunning free kick, the game was all but over but there was still time for another that arrived via Gavin Aplin who netted from the penalty spot.

Results for September 17 Auto Business Solutions Ltd, Chippenham Sunday League: Premier Division, Biddestone Social 5, Maud Heath Sports 3; Box Rovers v Corsham Centre pp; Bradford News 1, Dog & Fox Ashley 2; Holt 3, Westbury Rangers A 5; Sherston Town 3, Spencer Sports 3; Division One, Atworth United 1, Foresters Arms 4; Hullavington 5, Christian Malford 0; Kingfisher 8, Chippenham Police 2; Kings Arms (Trowbridge) 3, Chippenham Sports & Social Club 1; North Bradley 5, Potterne 2; Semington Rovers 2, FC Colerne 2; Division Two, Fascia Graphics 3, Rowde 8; Pig & Whistle United 5, The Horse & Groom 2; Sutton Benger 4, Biddestone Arms 4; The Crown Devizes 0, AFC Calne 1; The Ship 6, British Lion OC 7; White Horse v FC Bradford pp; Division Three, Chippenham United RAOB 1, Pack Horse Rangers 5; Corsham Park Rangers 3, White Hart Combe 1; Sir Audley's Arms 4, Somerford 1; The Southgate Inn 4, Cooper Avon 2; Westbury Rangers B 0, AFC Pilot 4; Wheatsheaf 0, Biddestone White Horse 2; Division Four, AFC Bell 2, AFC Melksham 2; Little George 3, Bromham (Sunday) 1; North Star B 1, Churchill Arms 2; The Rising Sun 1, Chippenham West End Club 4; Trowbridge Town Supporters Club 2, Old Road Tavern 0; Wanderers 7, Corsham United 2; Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup (sponsored by presstoprint) Preliminary Round, Southwick Sports 3, Winsley 2.

Fixtures for September 24 Auto Business Solutions Ltd, Chippenham Sunday League: Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup (sponsored by presstoprint) First Round, Biddestone Social v The Horse & Groom ; Biddestone White Horse FC v AFC Calne ; Blue Circle (Sunday) v Rowde ; Bradford News v Potterne ; British Lion OC v Trowbridge Town Supporters Club ; Bromham (Sunday) v The Ship ; Chippenham Sports & Social Club v Churchill Arms ; Chippenham United RAOB v Chippenham Police ; Chippenham West End Club v FC Colerne ; Christian Malford v AFC Bell ; Cooper Avon v Somerford ; Dog & Fox Ashley v Corsham Park Rangers ; FC Bradford v Spencer Sports ; Foresters Arms v Box Rovers ; Hullavington v Semington Rovers ; Kingfisher v The Rising Sun ; Kings Arms (Trowbridge) v Fascia Graphics ; Little George v Atworth United ; Maud Heath Sports v Sutton Benger ; North Bradley v Wanderers ; North Star A v Corsham Cricket Club walkover to North Star A; North Star B v AFC Pilot ; Old Road Tavern v Biddestone Arms ; Pack Horse Rangers v AFC Melksham ; Pig & Whistle United v Holt ; Sherston Town v Corsham United ; The Southgate Inn v Southwick Sports; Westbury Rangers A v Westbury Rangers B ; White Hart Combe v Trowbridge Harriers. (All matches kick-off at 10.45).