Huge win for Bath Road in relegation battle

Bath Road boosted their chances of staying in the Shoestrings-chargrill Chippenham Sunday League, Premier division following their 3-2 victory over fellow relegation battlers FC North Wiltshire. Goals from Ashley Fletcher and Kieron Tarrant put North Wilts 2-0 up before Aiden Jackson scored on the stroke of half time to throw Bath Road a lifeline which they took as second half goals from Quinnan Tarawali and Jack Sanderson won it for Bath Road saw Matt Holdaway make his first ever appearance in goal.

With their home pitch at Meadow Lane unplayable, Westbury Rangers made the short trip to Leighton Sports Centre for their clash with AFC Melksham who following a 1-1 draw had failed to beat their hosts for the first time in 16 years. Chris Steele fired Rangers ahead on 17 minutes, only for Owen Pearce to restore parity in the 47th minute and earn Melksham a share of the spoils, when his cross come shot deceived everyone.

Win takes Libby away from drop zone

A 5-3 triumph for FC Libby over fellow First Division strugglers Kingfisher moved Andy Allen’s side out of the drop zone for the first time this season. Chris Cox cancelled out Jordan Croad’s opener for FC Libby, however despite getting back on level terms, Kingfisher found themselves 3-1 down at the break as goals for Rhys Edwards and Sam Robinson put Libby 3-1 up. A second from Croad made it 4-1. Will Pascall on his debut pulled a goal back for the Fishermen and even though he bagged a second of the morning it couldn’t prevent his team from losing as a second from Edwards sealed victory for Libby.

With teams around them being in Sunday Cup action, leaders North Star Club took full advantage of the situation, a 3-1 win away at Biddestone saw them open up a 6 point gap on second placed New Inn Wacker. North Star were looking to take advantage of the blustery conditions at Leafy Lane, but found Biddy keeper Aaron Loveridge in fine form before he was finally beaten by Mike McKeller whose goal gave Star their interval lead. Biddestone drew level through Alex Hallett after the break, however his goal was just a consolation as Luke Palfrey on his debut regained the lead for the Star and Ben Tylee made the points safe with his sixth since joining from the Bell FC.

A goal in each half earned The Foresters Arms a 2-0 victory away at Sporting Box. Graham Griffiths tapped in from a Stuart Barber cross to give Foresters a half time lead. Luke Turvey sealed the win with a stunning finished from a 20 yard free kick.

Lavis remain second after Devizes success

FC Lavis kept their slim hopes of securing an automatic top two placing in Division Two alive after their 4-2 triumph away at FC Devizes United who had won the reverse fixture 3-2. Mark Maguire with a couple, plus a Zack Manna penalty and a Bradley Edwards goal saw Lavis lead 4-0 at the interval. Ashley Lock and Kian Fulford scored for Devizes after the break, but they goals weren’t enough to deny Lavis a deserved 3 points.

Steeple Ashton suffered a 3-2 loss at home to a Spratak Rudloe side who actually beat them 3-1 when the teams met in September. Tim Beecham and David Raine found the net for Ashton, but their goals were just consolations as Callum Carter, Joe Holland and Will Matthews found the mark for Spartak.

Bremhill View are among a clutch of five teams chasing the runners up spot to Royal Oak who already are champions elect. Bremhill boosted their cause with a 4-1 success away at Wednesday Warriors. Tom Stratton netted a double for Bremhill in a first half that saw Callum Hotine score for Warriors. The visitors should been out of sight at the break, but were wasteful in front of goal, Tom Sigee blasting over from close range when it looked easier to score. Luke Minnis made it 3-1 and a third from Stratton saw him complete the only hat trick of the day.

Lacock keep Sunday Cup dream alive

It was a mixed bag of results for Chippenham League sides in the third round of the Wiltshire Sunday Cup, with two places in the quarter-finals guaranteed due to the two all CDSFL ties, there was disappointment for both Bromham and Lion & Fiddle but joy for FC Lacock who progressed after a 3-0 win away at Bulford WMC. Mark Dolman and Kieron Gleed bagged first half goals and Josh Bright killed the game with his second half strike.

The all-Chippenham Sunday league, cup tie between premier division Box Rovers and first division New Inn Wacker went the way of Box who progressed to the quarters-finals courtesy of a 1-0 success. Justin Flowers second half penalty proving the difference between them.

In what was a very even game, played in awful conditions, the Bromham verses Salisbury League outfit Halfway House cup tie was decided by a late penalty which saw Halfway House win 3-2. The visitors went 1-0 up, however Bromham equalised almost immediately through Adam Richards. Halfway House regained the lead after the break only for Jamie Hall to restore parity. With 15 minutes remaining Bromham conceded a penalty which was converted to give Halfway House their victory.

Despite a spirited second half comeback Lion & Fiddle saw the Sunday Cup dreams ended by top Salisbury League side West Harnham, who led 4-0 at the break before sealing a thrilling 5-4 win. Aaron Seviour with 2, Leon Greenland and Mark Robinson were on target for the Fiddle.

After moving their Sunday Cup encounter from The Beeches to Northbrook, home of opponents Worton & Cheverell, fellow Sunday league outfit Old Road suffered a 7-1 defeat away at the top flight leaders. Jack Bramwell gave Worton the lead on 15 minutes, Ashley Huntley doubled the advantage and although Zak Sallows halved the deficit for Old Road they trailed 3-1 at the break thanks to a second from Huntley. Gary Campbell made it 4-1, further goals for Tom Slater, Ben Jenks and Jake Waters made up the winners 7.

Results For Sunday 12th January 2020

Shoestrings-chargrill, Chippenham Sunday League:

Premier Division, FC North Wiltshire 2, Bath Road 3; Semington v Faded pp; Westbury Rangers 1, AFC Melksham 1;

Division One, Biddestone 1, North Star 3; FC Libby 5, Kingfisher 3; Sporting Box 0, Foresters Arms 2; Sutton Benger v Westbury Railway pp;

Division Two, FC Devizes Utd 2, Lavis FC 4; London Road Inn v Chippenham Icons pp; Pack Horse v Misfits FC H/W; Royal Oak v FC Trowbridge void; Steeple Ashton 2, Spartak Rudloe 3; Wednesday Warriors 1, Bremhill View 4;

Wiltshire Sunday Cup, Third Round, Bulford WMC 0, FC Lacock 3; Box Rovers 1, New Inn Wacker 0; Bromham 2, Halfway House 3; Lion & Fiddle 4, West Harnham 5; Old Road FC 1, Worton & Cheverell 7.

Fixtures For Sunday 19th January 2020

Shoestrings-chargrill, Chippenham Sunday League: Premier Division, Box Rovers v FC North Wiltshire, FC Lacock, Bromham, Semington v AFC Melksham, Worton & Cheverell v Faded;

Division One, Sporting Box v FC Libby, Sutton Benger v North Star, The Foresters v Old Road Westbury Railway v Lion & Fiddle;

Division Two, Chippenham Icons v Spartak Rudloe, Lavis v Bremhill View, London Road Inn v Wednesday Warriors, Misfits v FC Trowbridge, Royal Oak v Steeple Ashton;

Knockout Cup (sponsored by A M Print & Copy) Quarter-Final, FC Devizes Utd v Bath Road;

WG Parr Trophy (sponsored by Westernsport Trophies) First Round – Second Leg; New Inn Wacker v Kingfisher, Pack Horse v Biddestone.