Football

It has emerged that Nathan Perkins who signed for the club from AFC Newbury last month and made his debut in the 4-1 victory at Spalding United, was still registered with fellow Dr Martens outfit Cirencester Town.

The Southern League will meet today to discuss the alleged offence which could result in City being deducted the three points won at Spalding. Such action could have dire consequences in their quest for promotion.

Having already dropped to fourth in the table after leading the pack for almost three months, a three point debit would see them slip a further place leaving them seven points adrift of leaders Bashley.

The club remained tight-lipped about the situation this week ahead of Saturday's trip to fellow promotion hopefuls Stamford and Tuesday night's Wilt-shire Premier Shield semi-final second leg tie at home to Chippen-ham Town.

Missed chances prove costly

SALISBURY City had enough first half chances to ensure fellow promotion hopefuls Banbury United left Old Sarum empty-handed.

However, Whites had to settle for a share of the spoils in front of a bumper crowd of 663 as the Ox-fordshire side grew in confidence after the break, denying City the three points.

Manager Nick Holmes said: "We played very well in the first half but just couldn't score.

"We tried to push things too quickly in the second half and couldn't keep it going. We got edgy. The crowd got edgy and Banbury got more confident as the game wore on. But we've got to convert these chances."

Holmes takes his side to Stamford on Saturday for another crucial top of the table clash.

"I think it's brilliant to have these games at this stage of the season. If we hadn't have had the start we had, there'd be little to play for right now. You come to this stage of the season and want to be involved in big games week in, week out. It's great."

City are likely to again be without Tyronne Bowers who suffered a cracked rib last month.

Whites then turn their attentions to the Wiltshire Premier Shield for the visit of Dr Martens Premier side Chippenham Town on Tuesday.

The semi-final, second leg tie is delicately poised after a 3-3 draw back in November.

"At the moment I just want to concentrate on the Stamford game," admitted Holmes. "But it'll be nice to be at home. We have three consecutive away games after that."

Asked about a possible deduction of points after fielding an ineligible player against Spalding, Holmes said: "It's so unfortunate. It's a mistake I hope never happens again and it's unfortunate that it's happened at a bad time. I think we've got a strong case in our defence, but we'll just have to see what action the league take."

Amesbury slip after tasting the high life

AMESBURY Town experienced the highs and lows of football in the space of a week.

After a magnificent 3-2 home success against previously unbeaten Premier Division leaders Winches-ter City, they came crashing back to earth with a 7-5 reverse at home to Lymington Town.

Ringwood Town's recent good form was blighted by a 2-2 draw with basement boys Fawley at Long Lane.

Steve Geary and Andy Wright clawed back a two-goal half-time deficit, and Geary missed an 88th-minute penalty.

In Division Two, Laver-stock & Ford, who were without a fixture, now share top place with Overton United who join them on 42 points after beating Ludgershall Sports 4-1.

'Stock, whose goal difference is slightly inferior to United's, entertain Broughton on Saturday.

Dave Coleman AFC came unstuck on a boggy pitch to a strong and enthusiastic Netley side.

They opened the scoring after only five minutes courtesy of a defensive error and were two up on 30 minutes when DC 'keeper John Hood conceded a penalty after bringing down a Netley striker in the box.

The visitors had chances to reduce the deficit, but Matt Hinds and Chris Rose wasted chances in front of goal. The second half produced more of the same with the home side again netting twice.

United ten held by Town

MATCH of the day in the Skurrays Wilt-shire Premier Division was at Trowbridge Town where the home side held leaders Shrewton United to a 1-1 draw.

In an evenly contested first half, both sides had chances to take the lead.

But the game looked to have turned early in the second half when United's Luke Kerley was dismissed for a second bookable offence. Soon after, Town took the lead through Dave Mitchell.

Trowbridge 'keeper Adam Sheppard then denied Jess Walters and Micky Ball, but in the closing minutes Dean Foot pounced to stab home the equaliser.

United boss Stuart Withers said: "I think they were a bit sharper than us on the day. It was a good game and perhaps a draw was a fair result."

Hopkins is spot on again for Heath

AN injury-time penalty by spot kick specialist Colin Hopkins helped Bemerton Heath Harle-quins return to winning ways against high-flying Andover.

The goal was 'keeper Hopkins' ninth conversion of the season from the spot.

The game began at a fast pace, with Andover having the first chance after only three minutes when Hopkins missed his punch and Sam Rea headed a fraction wide.

The 'keeper made up for this slip soon after when a diving save denied Justin Bennett.

Bemerton's first attack after six minutes led to the opening goal.

Neil Cole broke free down the right and his fierce low cross was met by Ian Chalk who shot first time into the roof of the net.

Chalk should have doubled the lead when he was put clear. He danced around the 'keeper only to see his effort cleared off the line by Paul Hughes.

Seventeen-year-old Paul Gulli-ver was thrown in for his debut in the 'Quins problem left back position and he did well to clear from Rea as the Andover striker was about to pounce on a loose ball.

On the stroke of half time the young debutante got forward and touched home a cross from Chalk but it was ruled out for offside.

The visitors came out looking for an early equaliser in the second half and kept Bemerton pinned in their penalty area for the first 15 minutes.

But 'Quins outstanding defence kept them away from goal with some good marking and tigerish tackling from Gary Burden and Darren Harding.

Heath made their first substitution on 62 minutes with Roo Waters taking over from Gulliver who had done a sterling job on the left. Andover also brought on fresh legs with Dean Cole replacing Kevin Reacord and Terry Lynch taking over from co-striker Rea.

Yet for all their possession Andover struggled to find a killer touch as the home side restricted them to long range efforts.

New man Lynch began to change things though, causing trouble down the right with some accurate crosses. After 76 minutes a ball to the far post found Mario Nurse who made no mistake for the equaliser.

Waters was beginning to do the same for Bemerton but his cross was turned away for a corner.

Another centre then found Chalk in space and the diminutive player should have done better than heading the ball over the bar.

Chalk repaid the compliment by setting up Waters, but his shot flashed the wrong side of the upright.

Deep into injury time Neil Cole chased a long ball and was wrestled to the ground as Andover's Gavin Richards tried to run the ball out of play.

After a chat with his assistant, the referee awarded the penalty and Hopkins converted.

On Saturday Heath visit AFC Totton.

Robins return

DOWNTON'S free weekend allowed some of their players to return to full fitness ahead of Saturday's trip to BAT Sports and Tuesday night's visit to Alton Town.

Kev Pelling (hamstring) featured in the reserves' 3-0 home defeat to AFC Totton at the weekend and Russell James has now shaken off a niggling foot problem.

Neal Archer (shin) is set for a return against BAT.

Boss Mitch Blake said: "We drew with BAT at home and their manager admitted that we had the better of it, and if we are firing on all cylinders we could well get another result."

Paul's brace sinks PFC

THE Premier Division title race was blown wide open after leaders PFC Durrington were beaten 2-1 by fellow challengers Salisbury Arms.

PFC took the lead early on through Winters, but failed to increase their lead after heroics by Stuart Petty in Arms' goal.

Two goals in the final ten minutes by Paul O'Sullivan secured the points for Arms who now join second placed Harnham and PFC on 28 points.

Bottom of the table Damerham went down to just a solitary goal to Tisbury while a similar scoreline helped Friends Provident close the gap on Porton Sports.

Meadow Park moved up to second place in Division Two thanks to a 6-0 success against Royal George.

Matt Trollope, Damo Sutton and Steve Blackburn gave the visitors a comfortable three-goal cushion at the break and further goals from Matt Collard and Tom Bray put the game beyond any doubt. Goalkeep-er Paddy Rynne, playing his final match before leaving for Australia, completed the scoreline with a late penalty.

Park are now just two points behind Kings Arms who ran out 5-1 victors at Chalke Valley.

Stockton & Codford remain top of Division Two after a 5-0 win against Harnham Reserves.

Netheravon lost ground in the race for honours after losing 4-2 to Club Rouge who are now fourth.

Alderbury's three-point lead at the top of Division Three remains intact after beating Royal George Reserves 5-1. Closest challengers Castle Street Club put some distance between them and third placed Digital Instinct with a 7-1 success.

George & Dragon suffered a first round exit in the Charity A Cup losing to the odd goal in five to South Newton & Wishford. Winterslow are already in the hat for the third round of the same competition after beating Greyhound 3-1.

Hi Flex Sports progressed to the second round of the Kimber Cup with a 5-3 win at Winterslow Reserves. The same scoreline saw George Inn progress to the second round of the Riley Cup at the expense of Chalke Valley Roofing.

In the Stonehenge Cup CCLFC lost 2-1 to Avon Valley with Victoria Hotel running out 2-0 winners against Royal George.

Junior Football Focus

Holvey hits a hat trick for title hopefuls

AMESBURY Sports took another step closer to securing the South Wilts Youth & Minor League under 11s title when they beat Salisbury Juniors 7-0.

Ben Hayward scored after just ten seconds and his side were two up inside four minutes thanks to a Steven Holvey goal.

Holvey went on to complete a deserved hat-trick while Harvey Coker netted with a well placed penalty.

Callum Coker added a brace to complete the scoring.

Fordingbridge Town were the division's top scorers putting 15 past Barford Hornets who could only muster one in reply.

South Newton & Wish-ford were comfortable 8-0 winners against Lavington Bandits, while Amesbury Lions ran out 3-1 victors against Warminster Highbury Youth.

In the under 13s cup competition Amesbury Juniors progressed with the 6-1 defeat of Worton & Cheverall, while in the league Laverstock & Ford enjoyed a 3-0 win at Clarendon Juniors.

Bemerton Heath Harle-quins registered a whopping 19 goals without reply against Warminster Juniors.

Amesbury Juniors B and Pewsey Vale were involved in an 11-goal thriller with Amesbury eventually taking the spoils in a 6-5 success.

Prolific striker James Dolman helped Shrewton United under nines maintain their winning run.

He scored five in an impressive 8-0 victory against Whitchurch.

Christopher Newbury, Tom Nicklen and Jordan Matthews completed the rout.