SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: THE Hellenic League representative side took the honours in their first ever clash with a Screwfix Direct Western League select eleven at Yate Town's Lodge Road ground on Tuesday night.

A 19th minute mistake from former Chippenham Town goalkeeper Ian Jones allowed Bishops Cleeve's Kevin Slack to score the only goal of the game for the Hellenic side.

Highworth midfielder Dave Webb skippered the winning side and was voted man of the match. He was joined in the Hellenic squad by team-mates John Reeves and Matthew Godwin and Purton's Martin Thompson.

The defeated Western League side featured Devizes Town man Nigel Curtis in central midfield, while Corsham Town winger James Lye earned a late call up due to the withdrawal of injured players from the initial squad.

Screwfix Direct League secretary Ken Clarke felt the evening had been a success. He said: "The purpose of it was very well served and there was some good feeling between players, supporters and officials of both sides. I was delighted with it and there was some good football played. We are hoping to play them again in March at a venue yet to be decided."

There have long been comparisons made regarding the relative strength of the two leagues, but Hellenic secretary Brian King played down the relevance of the result on Tuesday night.

He said: "With games of that nature, I don't believe the result is of as much consequence as the fact the two leagues have got together."