9:30am Monday 30th November 2009
MELKSHAM Town almost caused an upset against title contenders KC’s Club in an eight-goal thriller at Kingsdown, eventually going down 5-3 after a thrilling 90 minutes, writes RAY BURROUGHS.
Lee Hurd struck for KC with just five minutes on the clock, the visitors replying with a good header from Nathan Glass just before the break.
Melksham went ahead from the penalty spot courtesy of Ian Jeffers soon after the restart, but back came the home side to score twice through Arthur Levett and Neil Dix.
Jeffers then converted his second spot kick to bring the sides level again and, with play quickly switching from end to end, it was the home side who took the lead with an own goal and a late strike from Mark Belcher to secure the points.
Premier Division leaders New College were made to struggle at times against visitors Trowbridge Town but still managed to grind out a 2-0 victory, Jamie Prictor netting with a low shot into the corner of the net after 15 minutes.
The visitors gifted them a second when the keeper dropped the ball and his attempted clearance hit his own defender a rebounded into the net.
Pewsey Vale kept the leaders in their sights with a 2-1 victory over visitors Corsham Town in a close game.
Tom Ritchie cancelled out an early Corsham goal and James Guthrie scored a second-half winner.
Warminster Town and Devizes finished all square in a closely fought contest at the Town's Weymouth Street ground .
Both sides went close in a goalless first half but it was the visitors who eventually took advantage of a defensive lapse to take the lead midway through the second half.
The home side then drew level when a hard cross was deflected into his own net by a Devizes defender.
Marlborough Town looked likely to emerge from their recent poor league form when Robin Simpson put them in front against visitors Purton.
However the visitors fought back to level the scores on the stroke of half time and a strike from Dave Rendle midway through the second half gave Purton the points.
Visitors' boss Stef Kucynski said: “We always expect a tough game at Marlborough and we just scraped through.
"They are a hard side to beat and as always I’m delighted with a win.”
In a hard-fought encounter at the Weir Field, Wroughton came up against a strong Shrewton United side bolstered by several players from their first team squad.
But despite going a goal down early in the game, Wroughton fought back for a 2-1 victory.
Craig Hogg cancelled out the early goal on the half hour and a strike from Billy Sly on 75 minutes gave the home side the points.
Wroughton boss Kevin Cook said: “Either side could have won.
"It was hard but fair and played in a good spirit. There were some tough tackles going in during the second half but nothing nasty, it was an exciting game to watch.”
The matches between FC Chippenham Youth and Bradford Town and Westside and Calne Town were postponed.
FULL REPORT, RESULTS, FIXTURES & TABLES IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk