Sherston hit back to win dress rehearsal

In a dress rehearsal for next week's PPL Presto Print sponsored Knockout Cup quarter final, Andy Wicks (2, one a penalty), Ed Wilkins and Alan Webb shared Sherston's goals which came after Paul Smith and Marc Lanfear had put Rangers 2-0 up within the first 20 minutes.

Winsley made the perfect start to 2004 as they look to close the gap on the teams above them at the foot of the table.

Two valuable points from their 4-0 victory over fellow strugglers Hullavington means that they are just one victory away from moving out of the bottom two for the first time this season.

Paul Ranger's 25 yard free kick set them on their way and Andy Backman back heeled in the second. Luke Harfield (penalty) and Gary Higdon completed the socring.

Winsley's young goalkeeper Rich Hemmens kept his first clean sheet of the season.

The Duke Corsham look to be back in business as a 3-1 defeat of near neighbours and fierce rivals Box Rovers sees them consolidate second spot behind runaway leaders Sherston Town.

Darrann Hughes' third goal in as many games gave The Duke the lead in the 10th minute which was cancelled out when Jamie Harrison struck in the 60th minute.

Steve Curtis curled home a sweet left footer 10 minutes from time to restore The Duke's advantage and the all-important third goal arrived route one when Luke Chapman picked up a long punt up field from goalkeeper Craig Chaplin before rounding the keeper and slotting the ball home.

West Lavington suffered their second 3-2 loss in as many weeks. Having lost to Westbury Rangers last weekend Lavington needed a victory to ignite their interest in the race for the title but it was not to be as All Cannings picked up the two points on offer to boost their own hopes of avoiding the drop.

Simon Drewitt put Lavington ahead after 11 minutes, but Matthew Waite made it 1-1 on the stroke of half-time.

Midway through the half Nick Oram headed Cannings in front and it was Oram who netted Cannings' third with a solo run from the halfway line before finding the back of the net.

Confusion in Cannings' defence allowed Mark Roberts to scramble the ball home to set up a tense final few minutes but Cannings had done just enough to hang onto their lead.

Division One

CHIPPENHAM Police looked to be on course for only their third win of the season away at Colerne FC.

With only 10 minutes remaining the Police had built up a comfortable 3-0 advantage but somehow threw it away to end up hanging on for a share of the spoils at the end as Colerne hit back to snatch an amazing 3-3 draw.

Steve Davies, Mark McIntyre and a Lee Bull own goal had put the boys in blue in the ascendancy then tragedy struck as Martin Notman put through his own net to make it 3-1. Jim Fairburn and then Jamie Bowler netted further late goals as Colerne staged a remarkable fight back. Colerne came close to winning it in the final minute through Neil Rigby whose effort hit the bar.

West End Wanderers fielded one of their strongest sides of the season, but it wasn't good enough to prevent the Wanderers from losing 4-3 on their travels to Biddestone Social whose goals came from Rob Pocock and Matt Pratley (2) before Tom Staddon and Nathan Mantle scored a goal each within a minute to give Wanderers hope of a revival.

Paul Poiner crashed home from 18 yards to give Biddestone breathing space and despite Jon Price hitting Wanderers' third on 90 minutes Biddestone were well worth their win.

Revenge was instant for Maud Heath Sports as they avenged last week's 4-3 loss at Atworth United with a 4-1 win.

Dean Slade, Chris Eades, Simon Hillier and Robbie Fry all scored to make sure that Maud Heath wouldn't suffer a fourth defeat on the trot. Stuart Holland was United's marksman.

Darren Whiston got among the goals for Chippenham Sports and Social Club as his team beat The George Lacock 6-3. Whiston notched five of the six, with Tony Falcone's blistering drive making up the total. Tim Culling (2) and Sam Lye replied for The George who were let down by a number of players who failed to turn up.

Division Two

CORSHAM Centre's excellent winning sequence continued.

Their 6-2 win against Christian Malford extended their 100 per cent record to 11 win from as many games. Steve Evans drove home from 18 yards to put Malford ahead only for his fabulous goal to be cancelled out by Simon Grey's first of the game.

A rasping 20 yard drive from Chris Crome restored Malford's slender lead before the break. In the second period Malford's legs began to tire and the Centre took full advantage and struck five times with Grey, Liam Ralph, Craig Fullam, Jack Nicholas and Aaron Salter all finding the target.

North Star A consolidated second spot behind the Centre as goals from Tommy Ludford, Simon Vowden, Mark Sharrett and Pete Thornton helped them to their 10th win of the campaign as they remain unbeaten along with the leaders.

Jonny Grogan hit Sutton Benger's consolation as they went down 4-1.

Veteran striker Danny Reeves scored a hat-trick on his home debut for North Bradley as the third placed side brushed aside the challenge of Biddestone Arms with an empathic six goal romp. Simon Lunt, Craig Brown and Aaron Salter added the others in the 6-0 win.

Somerford FC and Blue Circle Saints settled for a point each in a 1-1 draw. Wayne Bristow and Steve Bruce were on target for the Saints while Somerford replied with a stunning 30 yard free kick form Richard Chandler and a Gavin Klukowski effort.

Division Three

FOUR Seasons' 11th win from 13 games kept their lead over Parsons Nose at the top of Division Three at five points.

Seasons overcame a good Potterne side with an easy 5-0 win which now means that the Chippenham-based outfit have won six on the bounce. Marcus Young (2), Jason Richie, Paul Maddox and Paul Borrman shared the goals.

Hare and Hounds beat Sir Audley's Arms by the odd goal in seven, and this was after the Arms had led 2-0 and 3-2. Lee Nott put through his own net to give the Arms the lead which was doubled by Chris Hawkins. Niall McLean and Lee Wells hit back for the Hounds, only for Steve Mallard to regain the Arms the advantage.

McLean connected with a Liam Young cross to tie the score at 3-3 and with two minutes left substitute Gary Wootton put the Hounds in front for the first time in the game and they were able to hang on for a 4-3 win.

Division Four

VIRGIN Mobile felt the backlash of Kings Arms' dropped point against North Star B last week.

The Division Four leaders were outplayed in every department by second in the table Kings Arms, who closed the gap at the top to just one point.

Third placed FC Bradford's manager Wayne Duggan left a number of his experienced players on the bench for their game with Fascia Graphics and, without the services of Robin Walker, Steve Rose and Aaron and Jason Harford, Bradford were made to look like an average side by Graphics who took a two goal lead with efforts from Gary Knowles and Luke Stoneham.

Duggan was forced into making changes and the introduction of Jason Harford and Walker had an immediate effect as a goal apiece within the space of 30 seconds saw Bradford draw level. Tom Seviour, Shaun Daniels, an own goal plus another from Harford finally saw Bradford record win number 12 of the season with a 6-2 scoreline.

Classic FC bounced back after last week's 5-0 defeat against Bradford FC with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over White Horse FC who led 1-0 at the interval thanks to a goal from Mark Pugh.

Classic hit back immediately after the break with Mike Outen tying the scores. Outen then sealed the win with his second of the game in the 75th minute.

Gavin Aplin missed a 10th minute penalty for Old Road Tavern in their game with Rowde and when Barry Nash scored a spectacular own goal to put Rowde one up.

Things looked to be going against the Chippenham-based side but in true Tavern form they dug deep and squared the game a 1-1 through Martin Woolford.

John Chivers' looping header put them 2-1 ahead before Woolford added a third before half-time.

Martin Robinson dragged Rowde back into the game early in the second half and it was left to Rick Lovenburry to kill the game off with the final two goals of the game to leave the final score 5-2 in favour of the Tavern.

Bottom of the table Plough went down 7-0 away at North Star B. Adam Godwin led the Star's scoring with a hat-trick and Dan Hatford, Ashley Lawrence, Simon Clifford and Rob Vowden (penalty) made up the tally.

Two goals from Shahram Hemmati plus one from Martin Rushmore saw Pack Horse Rangers to a 3-1 win against Bear Casuals.

Knockout Cup

PREMIER Division Dog and Fox Ashley set up a quarter-final clash this Sunday with First Division pacesetters Biddestone Social in the PPL Presto Print sponsored Knockout Cup with a 2-1 win over Steeple Ashton.