WILTSHIRE LEAGUE

BRADFORD Town boss Mark Hodkinson admits he is still unsure as to why Steve Bryant's late effort was disallowed on Saturday.

Trailing 2-1 with a few minutes to go in their Wiltshire League opener at Stratton, Bradford thought they had equalised when Bryant fired the ball into the net only for the referee to award a free kick to the hosts.

The decision proved costly as the match finished 2-1, but Hodkinson remained puzzled as to why the goal was not allowed to stand.

He said: "There were a few decisions that went against us all game. I don't know why the goal was disallowed and I still didn't find out when I spoke to the referee afterwards.

"I was really disappointed with our first half performance, we were shocking, but in the second half we were the only team in it.

"We have put a lot of pressure on ourselves now. We want to be challenging for promotion and to do this we need to start winning games quickly."

Bradford's Stuart Powell cancelled out Richard Martin's opener but with 15 minutes remaining Richard Casey stole the win for Stratton.

Plenty of action in both goalmouths followed and with 10 minutes remaining it looked as though the visitors had drawn level, but Steve Bryant's effort was disallowed by the match official.

Aldbourne boss Pete Orsi made a disastrous start to the season, being sent off in the closing stages of his side's 2-0 defeat by Westbury United.

Paul Alford gave the visitors an early lead with Paul Beavers breaking away to score a second after some sustained pressure by the home side.

Midway through the second half Paul Alford was sent off and the sides finished on 10 men apiece when the home manager received his marching orders late in the game.

Cricklade took an interval lead against Devizes Town Reserves courtesy of a penalty from Martin Swaddon. Devizes hit back with two goals after the break but a late rally from the home side saw Ben Carter score an equaliser and Martin Swaddon score the winner with 10 minutes to go.

Newcomers New College looked to be heading for victory following two goals from Ashley Wain but in a grandstand finish Warminster Town scored three in the last 20 minutes to run out 3-2 winners, Greg Lewis, Terry Bohane and Jordan King did the damage.

Chiseldon Castrol were beaten 5-1 by a young Melksham Town side.

A far-post header by Alan Blake gave Pewsey Vale a 1-0 win over Purton and goals from James West (2) and Adam Taylor enabled Corsham Town to beat Bromham

3-0.

Marlborough Town beat Malmesbury Vics 3-1 win. Neil Robinson netted on the hour, Kevin Foster adding a second on his debut and Tom Etheridge a third. Jamie Hutton scored a late consolation for the Vics.

In Junior Division One, Ferndale Rodbourne got off to a good start with a 2-1 win over visitors Biddestone. Cricklade Reserves ensured a good day for the club by beating Stratton Rovers 2-1, with Adam Smith and Delroy Fallon on target.

Lower Stratton and Minety shared the points in a 2-2 draw, David Howell and Sam Wells scoring for Stratton.

New sides to the league did well in Junior Division Two, with Chippenham United leading the way with a 4-3 away win over AFC Rodbourne, Chris Yeo 2, Ron Clarke and Neil Smith on target. Paul Parsons, Barry Armstrong and Sean Grace scored for the home side.

Castle Combe beat Pinehurst OB 2-0, Robbie Etherington scoring a goal in each half.

Westside Reserves travelled to Tidworth and came away with three points thanks to a free-kick from Gary Humphreys in the second half.

Barron Heating found themselves a goal down against visitors Blunsdon United but fought back to mark their Wilts league debut with a 3-1 victory Martin Lewis, Shawn McGovern and Arron Wilson the scorers.