FOLLOWING the sudden withdrawal of Bradford News less than a week before the start of the latest Trowbridge & District Football League campaign and the loss of fixtures involving both Steeple Ashton and Trowbridge Town Reserves, it meant that only two of the scheduled four fixtures from division one of the Trowbridge Windows & Conservatories League went ahead last weekend.

One of those games saw North Bradley, with Ben Howe back at the helm, visit Castle Combe and at half-time with Bradley leading 4-2, it looked as if Howe’s side would claim the opening day win than many had predicted, but they didn’t account for a rousing second half showing from Combe, who turned the game on its head to claim a deserved 5-4 victory.

Bradley fell behind to a first goal of the afternoon from Combe’s hat-trick hero Clint Couzens before Sam McWade’s well-taken effort restored parity.

Scott Askew headed Bradley in front only for Cozens to bag his second to square things up at 2-2. Bradley then surged into a 4-2 lead courtesy of a second from Askew and a Steve Jackson strike.

Combe battled back in the second period and reduced their arrears through Quinnan Tarawai and drew level via Jack Sanderson before Couzens capped an fine personal performance by grabbing his third of the game and Combe’s.

Defending champions Freshford United hosted Warminster Town Reserves and despite falling behind to a Luke Gulkian goal in the opening couple of minutes, Chris Birleson’s hosts fought back to claim a 5-1 success.

Ricky Trott headed home from a corner midway throughy he half to get Freshford back on level terms, Mark Gerrish fired home a brilliant 25-yard free kick to give them the lead and Steve Roddy put them 3-1 up at the break.

With Warminster tiring in the second period, Waleed Bakali stretched the hosts lead further and a second from Gerrish five minutes from time wrapped up the points.