Centre hand over cup semi-final on a plate

The Centre have told the league they are unable to raise a team for Sunday's semi-final, giving newly crowned Premier Division champions Sherston Town a walkover into the final where they will meet North Star A.

The Centre had maintained their challenge for a treble with a comfortable 3-0 victory over North Star A in the semi-final of the Rainbow Launderette sponsored WG Parr Trophy on Sunday and in doing so shattered North Star's dreams of claiming a league and cup treble.

Sustained pressure with the wind behind them allowed the Centre to turn around 1-0 up at half-time courtesy of a James Lye header.

Inevitably the second half saw North Star camped in the Centre's half but as the half wore on the Centre began to create the better chances and it was not long before they were 2-0 to the good when a quickly taken free kick by Jonathan Bartlett was knocked into the area by Nigel Evans and stroked home by Simon Gray.

North Star applied more pressure and only a splendid save from Centre goalkeeper James Whitehead prevented the Star halving the deficit.

As the Star pushed forward looking for a way back more gaps appeared in their defence which allowed James Lye to score the Centre's third and final goal with a sublime chip.

SUBSIDIARY CUP

THIRD Division Pig and Whistle United claimed the shock of the first round when they put out The George Lacock of the First Division.

United, who needed extra-time before claiming a 3-1 victory, recovered from falling behind to a Rich Frankcom goal. Steve Robinson struck for United to take the tie to added time and when Robinson made it 2-1 The George knew they were on their way out. This was confirmed by Danny Cole who completed the scoring with United's third.

Fourth Division Pack Horse Rangers cleared the first hurdle to make it into the final eight with a 5-3 defeat over Second Division strugglers Blue Circle Saints.

Shahram Hematti (3), Justin Darby and Dan Jackson were on target for Rangers and goals from Martin Hemmens (2) and Matt Bradley not being enough to save the Saints from a shock loss.

Wingfield had the wind in their favour in the first half of their game with Premier Division All Cannings and by the break they had built up a four goal lead thanks to 30 yard drives from Neil Wilcox and Mark Franklin. This was after Ian Williams had headed Wingfield ahead after just two minutes. Lee Frisby made it 2-0 before Wilcox and Franklin struck.

Against the wind in the second half Wingfield surrendered their lead as Cannings hit back through Charlie Collier (2), Nick Oram and Richard Holman to take the game into extra-time after the game was locked at 4-4 after 90 minutes.

Lee Frisby looked to have booked their place in the next round only for Tony Greenidge to hit a late equaliser for Cannings to set up a penalty shoot out which was won 5-4 by Cannings after successful kicks from Oram, Stuart Beavan, Collier, Bobby Wadcock and Greenidge who hit Cannings winning spot kick after Lee Ovans had missed kick number three for Wingfield.

Old Lane United progressed to the next round at the expense of fellow Third Division side Corsham Park Rangers whose 3-1 defeat sees them finish the season on a low note.

Kelvin Page's 16th minute opener for Old Lane was cancelled out by Paul Smith's 33rd minute spot kick, but before Smith slotted home Old Lane's keeper Paul Kidley kept his goal intact with a fantastic save that denied 15-year-old Zach Sulley his first goal for Rangers.

Kia Pritchard regained the lead for Old Lane on 67 minutes and Page wrapped things up with his second in the 90th minute.

Dan Alford's first ever hat-trick helped Southwick Sports defeat North Star B 6-3. Jamie Moth (2) and Tom Mann were also among the goals for Southwick and Mark Sharrett (2) and Nick Bloodworth replied for the losers.

PREMIER DIVISION

THE waiting is finally over for Sherston Town as, after four weeks of inactivity, a win over Bradford News saw them claim the point they needed to be crowned Premier Division champions.

Sherston, who have twice before finished runners-up when known as Malmesbury Victoria and Malmesbury Town, maintained their proud 100 per cent away record with a crushing 8-2 victory over the Newsmen to take both points on offer.

Alan Webb opened the scoring for Sherston and went on to bag four of his team's eight, while Lee Bevis, Ed Wilkins, Richard Lester and Antony Vizard, with his 29th of the season, shared the others.

Charlie Powell's well taken free kick and John Burt, who blasted home with the help of the underside of the crossbar, helped the Newsmen to battle back to 2-2 before Sherston took control.

Sherston now have the opportunity to become the first side since 2000 to win the league and Knockout Cup double. On that occasion it was the all conquering Cooper-Avon Rangers team that completed the double. Since then no other team has come close to Rangers' feat. Should Sherston defeat Corsham Centre in next week's semi-final they will be well on course to write themselves into the record books.

The race for the runners-up spot has become a two team race between Westbury Rangers A and Dog and Fox Ashley. Rangers hold second spot at the moment, three points clear of the Dog but having played two more games than their rivals. Rangers will be hoping for both points when the teams meet in April.

The battle involving Hullavington and Winsley to avoid the drop continues as Hullavington, who were due to play Dog and Fox Ashley, were unable to raise a side.

With Winsley due to play Bradford News in their final game this Sunday, Hullavington should be safe if Winsley fail to get at least a point from the game with their local rivals.

DIVISION ONE

THE weather prevented Maud Heath Sports from closing the gap on leaders Biddestone Social as their trip to Bratton, where they were due to meet an in-form Horse and Groom side, was one of seven league matches lost to waterlogged pitches.

Third placed Trowbridge Harriers' match with Semington Rovers was another game washed out.

DIVISION TWO

WITH leaders Corsham Centre and North Star A battling for a place in the WG Parr Trophy final, third placed Holt FC took full advantage to leapfrog the Star and claim second spot.

Holt needed to boost their goals for tally but they were far from convincing as the blustery conditions limited them to a 4-1 victory over bottom of the table Roadrunners, which for Rich Kelty's side was a great result as they had lost three of their last four games by 12-0, 9-1 and 11-1.

Tom Pang took his tally for the season to 40 with two of Holt's goals Neil Grant and Dave Greenwood added the others which still keeps the villagers in the hunt for a treble of successive promotions.

Adam Stevens scored Roadrunners' consolation in bizarre circumstances when Gareth Evans' clearance from goal hit the player before being swept into the net by the wind.

Steeple Ashton returned to winning ways as they defeated Sutton Benger 3-0. Brin Holt surprised everyone, including himself, when his cross come shot sailed in. Adam Sheppard headed home number two and Mark Sheppard caught Benger on the break for Ashton's third. Ashton goalkeeper Tom Berryman had a great game.

DIVISION THREE

THE last time Bradstone Rovers and Trowbridge Town Supporters' Club met, the game was abandoned after 47 minutes when Rovers were reduced to six players due to a sending off and injuries.

Although both teams are now safe from danger, the Trowbridge side felt they had a point to prove, as they believed the result of the previous game should have stood with them leading 4-1.

Kevin Williams' side prevailed second time around and showed that they are back in business with a 5-0 victory.

Chris Sims' first league goal for the Town, followed by Gavin Targett's effort made it 2-0 at the interval. Two second half goals from Nick Buckle, plus one from Simon Hussey, saw the Town to their five-star performance.

Chris Shipway's first goal in three years set Sir Audley's Arms on their way to a 4-2 win over Westbury Rangers B. Shipway's first half effort was cancelled out by Shane Rendell's early second half equaliser. James McLaughlin regained the lead for the Arms only for Rangers to level again through Sam Tucker.

McLaughlin's second of the game gave the initiative back to the Arms and the win was made safe when Steve Mallard added their fourth with the last kick of the game.

With leaders Parsons Nose inactive, Four Seasons fancied their chances of reeling in the pacesetters but a waterlogged pitch at the Conigre, Melksham, put paid to their hopes as Cooper-Avon were forced to postpone.

DIVISION FOUR

VIRGIN Mobile maintained their push for second spot behind FC Bradford with a 3-2 victory over Plough.

Virgin struck first when Alex Huscroft put them ahead after 30 minutes, but Dave Thomas headed home a Gary Taylor cross to bring the scores level early in the second half. Chris Maskrey fired Virgin in front only for Ben Olding to make it 2-2 after 70 minutes. Dan Light hit Virgin's winner in the 88th minute.

Virgin are three points ahead of Kings Arms, who have two games in hand, as they look to claim silverware in their first season.

At the foot of the table KSM took the lead against Rowde through John Little but were unable to hold on as John Stockman dragged the villagers all square. Martin Robinson crashed home the 65th minute winner.

White Horse FC were fuming after Leighton Sports groundsman ruled that they were unable to play their match with Kings Arms despite referee Steve Higgins passing the ground fit for play.