WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: BOTH AFC Stratton and Purton Reserves got the new year off to a poor start. Stratton lost 2-1 at home to Marlborough Town and Purton conceded eight without reply at Bradford.

New College continue to stalk the leaders of the Premier section following their 2-0 win over Malmesbury Vics and Cricklade's game at Westbury was postponed.

AFC Stratton missed plenty of chances and went in at the break a goal down, Tom Etheridge scoring.

The home side continued to have the edge and equalised through a right-foot volley from Rick Casey.

Marlborough looked as though they had settled for a point until Andy Deery hit the winner.

Disappointed Stratton boss Tony Dyer said: "We played well in patches, missed chances and perhaps didn't get the rub of the green in the first half. One effort struck both posts before rolling to safety on other days it would have gone in."

Purton found themselves a goal down early in the game from a strike by Robbie Simmonds, but then held the leaders until just before the break when they conceded three quick goals to Russell Francis and Mark Gerrish (2).

Charlie Powell, Francis, Mike Little and a penalty from Pete Martin gave the home side an easy win.

New College manager Pete Horwat was not too happy despite a 2-0 victory.

He said: "We didn't play well but secured the three points. Conditions were not too good but in a 20-minute spell the lads did play some good stuff and were rewarded with goals from Mark Chatwin and John Edmunds."

Second-in-the-table Corsham Town trailed 3-1 to Devizes with 20 minutes to go, but hit back to win 4-3. Marcus Wollen, Ray King and Simon Drewitt for Devizes and Dean Fisher (2), Jason Cullip and Jamie West replying.

Cricklade Reserves were the highest scorers in Junior One, beating Blunsdon United 6-0, Ed Jose, Matt Buck, Paul Kennedy, Darren Swadden, Delroy Fallon and Matt Charlton on target.

Westside gained a 4-1 win at Biddestone, Craig Roberts and Steve Shaw netting a brace each.

Lower Stratton and Aldbourne shared the points in a 1-1 draw and Ferndale Rodbourne accounted for Marlborough Town Reserves 4-0. Goals from Ryan Wheeler and Nolan Paul gave West Swindon a 2-1 win over Minety.

There was a cracking game in Junior Two with AFC Rodbourne winning 5-4 at Westside Reserves. A last-minute strike by Robert Cunningham gave the visitors victory. Michael Colbourne, Vince McMakin and a 40 yarder from Mark Jones were the Rodbourne scorers with Tom Baily (2), Ben Roberts and Dan Croyden for Westside.

Pinehurst OB defeated Stratton St Margaret 2-0, Shane Davies and Jamie Romain scoring.

Blunsdon were beaten 5-3 by visitors Wroughton Reserves, Darren Howse, Brian Goodall and John Le Strange for the home side.

Stratton Rovers Reserves and Chiseldon Castrol left it late, Aldbourne scoring in the last minute and Castrol equalising in the second minute of injury time through Graham Mitchell.

The Wilts League will be well represented in the semi finals of the Wilts Junior Cup, Barron Heating beating AFC Abbey Rodbourne 3-1 thanks to Jamie Williams (2) and Sean McGovern.

County Ground beat Windmill 2-0 through Robin Gray and an own goal.

Blyskawica travelled to Castle Combe and held the unbeaten league side to a 4-4 draw, Dave Jones hitting a hat-trick for the Swindon side.

The teams face a replay next week.