Trowbridge League

North Bradley Saints have come marching in from the Bath and District League to become the early pacesetters on goal difference from Warminster Town Reserves while Trowbridge United, having figured in a 5-5 opening draw, are a point behind after producing the highest score of the day nine at Hilperton Reserves.

Goal of the match in Saints' 8-1 drubbing of fellow newcomers The Stiffs was Andy Colebrooke's stunning 35-yard free kick. Saints, who missed an open goal before finding their scoring touch, completed victory with a hat-trick from Chris Fardell, two from Craig Brown and one apiece from Richard Bliha and Brent Murden. Nathan Litterick netted Stiffs' consolation goal.

Both Warminster and Trowbridge will go into tomorrow's cup ties against Division One opposition full of confidence.

Wayne Melvin was one of four players to register a quartet of goals, his contribution supported by two from Jamie McGuckian and one from Steve Greatley giving Warminster a 7-0 success at the expense of Frome Town Sports A.

Brothers Lee (3) and Dean Murden (2) followed up their double scoring act from the previous week as Trowbridge trounced Hilperton Reserves whose only reply to further double strikes from Gavin Filkins and Hassam Ragbi came from Neil Lacey.

A brotherly act has also given Seend Reserves an unbeaten start. Two from Jonathan Sims and one from Matthew gave them a three-goal cushion inside half an hour at apetito who hit back through a Neil Griffiths brace either side of the break. apetito then missed chances to have secured their first point of the season.

Castle Combe Reserves, with four goalkeepers unavailable, called on skipper and defender Spencer Jeffries to don the jersey and his outstanding performance ensured Bradford United 201 kicked off their season pointless. Shaun House and Dave Ball gave Combe a two-goal interval lead and a third from House 10 minutes after the break settled the issue. Aiden Bell netted a consolation for Bradford.

Westbury United A, with 15-year-old Sam Tucker starring in midfield and Allan Clarke superb in defence, are the Division Two early leaders thanks to a unique double over Deverills Reserves.

United were the first team to take Deverills' unbeaten Division Three record in late December last term and after Deverills' winning start last week a defensive mix-up 20 minutes from time enabled Andy Goodenough to rob Deverills again in a very competitive match producing four bookings by referee Andy Meaden.

Broughton Gifford Reserves and Rudloe meet for the third successive Saturday tomorrow with honours just in Gifford's favour. Following their 2-2 draw the previous week a solitary goal from Richard Moules gave Gifford a 1-0 verdict in the immediate return fixture.

Bratton's self-imposed relegation from the top flight opened with ace scorer Marc Lanfear hitting all four goals in the 4-3 win at Rowde Sports, whose weakened outfit were outplayed in the first half before manager Freddie Clark introduced positional changes.

Sports replied twice through Stuart Beaven who claimed a hat-trick himself but only after Lanfear had widened the gap again.

Another four-goal effort came from Hilperton United's Steve Lewin in his side's 5-3 victory at Steeple Ashton, but United's first win came at a price keeper Mark Binns was taken to hospital late on. Jamie Allford completed United's nap hand while Ashton, who took the lead for the second week, replied through Gary Rowley (2) and Colin Williams.

Scott Laidlaw was also a four-goal hero for The Deverills with two in each half in the 4-0 win over newly promoted Blue Circle. Deverills are joined at the top of Division One by champions Castle Combe and Seend United who sprang another surprise, a first-half goal from Ki Miller followed by a second from Barry Holloway and a third by Dave Castle giving United a 3-0 win over much fancied Frome Town Sports who had most of the play.

After suffering a 4-0 opening defeat, Bradford Sports turned the tables by adding to Dursley Arms' early problems. Arms, reprieved from relegation, went behind to a first-half strike from Ian Bennett before conceding another three to John Williams, Micky Spong and Andy Bennett.

Freshford United boss Hugh Fulton will wonder all season how his newly promoted side came to be beaten 4-0 by champions Combe, who for the second week had a player red carded.

Although both goalkeepers made outstanding early saves and James Pope hit the inside of a post for Combe, for whom Darren Legg missed a first-half sitter, Freshford squandered numerous chances including one from Matt Arnold, one of three sets of twins in their squad this season.

Six minutes into the restart United paid the price when Legg finally found the elusive target.

Nothing went right in front of goal for Freshford Dave Birleson having a 62nd minute effort disallowed before Russell Stritch could only concede an own goal after Jamie Winks had rounded Chris Birleson.

An undisputed penalty when Pope was brought down by Graham Harper converted by Winks increased Combe's flattering lead. First-half substitute Andy Harding was dismissed for a second bookable offence before Winks added to Freshford's misery with goal number four.

There was one postponement Heytesbury unable to raise a side for the visit of Broughton Gifford.