STEVE Burns' table-topping Melksham Town Reserves opened up a three-point lead over the chasing pack in Division One of the Trowbridge Windows & Conservatories-sponsored Trowbridge League after picking up a sixth successive victory, their latest success coming at Warminster Town Reserves who they beat 2-1 to keep their winning run intact.

Melksham opened the scoring on five minutes via a spectacular long-range strike from Jake Cooper but this was after Warminster had wasted a few early chances of their own to take the lead.

Melksham doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Jordan Evans scored from the penalty spot.

Warminster made a game of it in the second half and pulled a goal back in the 55th minute Antony Cane-Hall scoring to reduce the arrears.

Chances came and went at both ends and both sides also had strong appeals for penalties waved away before Melksham were grateful to hear the final whistle in what was a competitive match played in a great spirit by both set of players.

Boomsbury FC 4 North Bradley 2

BOOSMBURY remain in second spot in the table after they continued their winning ways at Trowbridge Cricket Ground, but only after they had made things really hard for themselves by being reduced to nine men in their triumph over rivals North Bradley.

Chances were few for both sides in a lacklustre first half, but the one time North Bradley lapsed in concentration Boomsbury broke down their right and eventually Ali Bradley put the ball home for 1-0.

The goal scorer was involved again shortly before half time when his lunge on Brad Godridge saw him given a straight red card.

Bradley’s recent signing Reuben Spong, playing against his former club, looked the likeliest source of a goal for the visitors.

Another defensive lapse from Bradley after the break saw Booker Woodford slot home for 2-0, and Woodford made it 3-0 from the penalty spot as the 10 men repelled Bradley, who became frustrated with themselves as an organised and solid Boomsbury showed their mettle.

A spectacular left foot volley from Dan Dominy made it 4-0 and another routine victory looked on the cards, until Dominy picked up a second yellow card with 20 minutes remaining.

Bradley finally got their act together and put pressure on the Boomsbury end, with the returning Neil Hannaford scoring against his former employers and shortly after the impressive Sam Weston made it 4-2.

Spong continued to provide a threat on the right wing and he, Hannaford, Ben Lee and his uncle Mike Spong shot wide of the mark as Bradley huffed and puffed but failed to blow the title favourite's house down, in a full blooded and at times scrappy encounter on a soft pitch.

Castle Combe 1 Semington Magpies 1

CASTLE Combe may have got the better of Semington Magpies in both of their league meetings last term, but with Paul Sanderson’s side struggling at the foot of the table after their opening seven games it was Magpies who were expected to take the points in their first meeting of the new campaign .

But after a classic game of two halves the points were shared as the sides fought a 1-1 draw.

Combe had the better of the first half as Magpies couldn’t deal with their long ball tactics and led through Will Couzens.

Magpies who had taken 45 minutes to wake up finally woke up from their first half slumber and were unlucky to have not taken all three points after they played some really good football in the second half.

Magpies had the chance to level midway through the when they were awarded a penalty which Kelvin Lockwood missed, five minutes later Lockwood had a goal disallowed although the ball appeared to be a good few feet over the line.

With time running out it looked as if Magpies efforts would go unrewarded but a sweet finish from Sam Malone from the edge of the area earned Magpies a deserved share of the points.

Trowbridge Wanderers 2 Seend United 4

SEEND United made it six wins on the spin in all competitions after they came from a goal down to beat last season’s champions Trowbridge Wanderers 4-2.

Wanderers took an early lead courtesy of a well-taken goals from their skipper Jamie Moth. Seend equalised through Barry Holloway before Rob Manning put the villagers 2-1 at the break.

Seend stretched their lead to 3-1 when Mike Hopkins scored following good work on the right hand side by Manning.

Nathan Walker sealed the victory with goal number four and Trowbridge grabbed a late consolation just before the final whistle when James Orchard found the target.

Westbury United Reserves 4 Bradford United 3

BRADFORD United lost out in two thrilling encounters to Westbury United Reserves last term, losing both games by an odd goal so when the teams got together at Meadow Lane for the first time this season an under-strength Bradford side were expecting the worst.

But although they lost a seven goal thriller, manager Anthony Ottaviano was pleased with the performance of his side who despite leading 2-0 and 3-2 were unable to hold out against a good Westbury outfit.

Mark Maguire gave Bradford the lead and they doubled their advantage when Lewis Smith scored his first goal for the side when he rifled home a stunning 25 yard free kick.

Westbury who pulled a goal back prior to the break through Jack Hayward and they leveled shortly into the second period when Kane Scott squared things up at 2-2.

Bradford’s Phil Little regained Ottaviano’s side the lead but once again West came back at them and restored parity, Ashley Easton making it three apiece.

Westbury went on to seal victory and extend their unbeaten run to six games when Jordon Matthews netted what proved to be the winner that gave the Meadow Lane side their 4-3 success.

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