TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE DIVISION THREE: New-look Westwood start with a win (From This Is Wiltshire)

MARK Hurkett started his reign as Westwood News manager with a comfortable 5-1 home win over The Stiffs.

But Hurkett’s side, who are among the sides tipped for Third Division glory this term failed to live up to the highs of their pre-season friendlies which had seen them put in some impressive performances’ to claim fine victories again tough opposition.

Westwood’s hotshot striker Dan Thorne opened his account for the season with the villagers' first goal of the match which gave them a slender half-time lead.

Thorne doubled his tally and his team's lead, but the Stiffs fought back to reduce the arrears via Nathan Litterick.

Stiffs were unable to build on the goal as Westwood regain their two-goal cushion through Richard Jones.

Ben Cowdrey earned Hurkett’s men some breathing space when he knocked home number four and a second of the match from Jones saw him complete a well taken double to seal his teams victory.

Lacock 2 Trowbridge Town Reserves 1

LACOCK and fellow league new boys Trowbridge Town Reserves met at Stanley Park, Chippenham, and it was the hosts Lacock who picked up the spoils.

The first 15 minutes of the first half were evenly matched with few chances at either end, then Trowbridge started to take charge with neat football and a couple of testing shots on goal from Kurt James and Kieran McCaldon.

However on 23 minutes, and against the run of play Lacock snatched the lead, after being awarded a free kick which led to a scramble in the Town goal area Dom Sheppard was on hand to fire in from close range giving Town keeper Sam Kerslake no chance.

Trowbridge regrouped and looked like they would equalise with Natt Mills, Tom Moore and Craig Neate all going close, but Lacock held on to go in 1-0 up at the break.

The second half started in a similar fashion, with Trowbridge dominating the play, and they were rewarded on 52 minutes when the ball was played out from the Trowbridge defence, through the midfield to Mills who laid off a fantastic through ball for Kurt James to run through and finish clinically in the bottom corner.

Further chances fell over the coming minutes to Chad Cain, Mitchell Spackman, Moore and Mills, along with a turned down penalty claim, and Town looked like it was only a matter of time before they scored a second.

On 70 minutes though Lacock broke away, and an excellent individual run from Liam Shipman saw them take the lead for the second time with a great finish from an acute angle.

Town tried desperately in the last 15 minutes to get back on level terms, but it just wasn't to be their day, with the final score 2-1 to Lacock.

Trowbridge Rangers 2 United FC 2

UNITED FC twice came from behind to deny league newcomers Trowbridge Rangers an opening day victory.

A Cameron Thomas goal gave Rangers a 1-0 half time lead before an excellent team move led to United tying things up through Kloc Malek.

United were then reduced to 10 men after Lukaz Bareja was sent off and this in turn led to Trowbridge Rangers regaining the lead courtesy of a second of the afternoon from Cameron Thomas.

The 10 men of United dug deep as they showed their fighting character and drew level for a second time when Artur Laga’s excellent free kick squared things up.

MATCHES OFF: Bradford United Reserves v The Fleece FC, Levi’s v Civil Service Larkhall