BILL Boakes bagged a brace of goals as Calne Town got the better of a 5-4 thriller away at Bishops Lydeard in Toolstation League First Division at the weekend.

It was all action from the off as Lydeard got the opening goal of the game inside two minutes and the score was already 2-2 by the midway point of the first half.

That was how it stayed until the break but again the teams got straight back into it, with Calne taking the lead within a minute of the restart.

Ben Redford’s side finally began to take control of proceedings and led 5-3 with 10 minutes to play, although the drama was still not done as another Lydeard goal gave Calne a scare before the final whistle sounded.

Alongside Boakes’ brace, Aaron Whitchell, Josh Hard and Stuart Windsor were also on target for Calne.

“The first half was end-to-end. We managed we go 2-1 up after about 20 minutes but they equalised straight away and I just thought it was going to be one of those days,” said boss Redford, who saw Tuesday's home clash with Ashton & Backwell United postponed.

“In the second half we came out and scored an early goal and from there, it was quite comfortable. We were definitely the better side. Their fourth goal was from the last kick of the game, so I was never really worried.

“We had a few players missing so we had some U18s step up and they did really well and Bill Boakes, who is only 16, probably put in the performance of the season. It was a really good day.”

The victory continues Calne’s fluctuating fortunes in 2018 as they have now claimed two wins, three defeats and a draw from their six matches since the turn of the year.

Although Redford is keen to find more consistency, he already views this season as a success with the team having finished second from bottom last term.

“The frustrating thing is that every time we win, the next game seems to get called off, but hopefully we can push on now and get a few wins in a row,” said Redford, whose side currently sit 14th.

“I’d love to finish in the top half but I am not getting carried away. Even if we finish where we are I’d take that because we have already bettered last season’s points total, which was our first aim for the season.”

It was otherwise a weekend of disappointment for Wiltshire sides, with Malmesbury Victoria the hardest hit as they suffered a 4-0 defeat at home to Welton Rovers.

Courtney Charles gave the visitors the lead at the break and further goals for Lewis Coleman, Joe Battrick and a second for Charles capped a miserable day for Malmesbury.

A second-half strike from Reece John saw Corsham Town beaten 1-0 at home by Bishop Sutton, while Chippenham Park went down by the same scoreline on their trip to Portishead Town, Harrison Williams getting the only goal of the game.

Devizes Town saw both of their scheduled home fixtures – against Bristol Telephones on Saturday and Tuesday’s meeting with Cheddar – postponed due to the cold snap.