TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE

THE weather caused the postponement of eight matches in the Trowbridge League (sponsored by Just Signs Trowbridge).

A ninth game, between Apetito and Bromham Reserves, was abandoned after 67 minutes in Division Three. Luke Rudman put the visitors ahead with a penalty. Apetito equalised with Dean Steven's penalty before the conditions became impossible.

Deverills Reserves travelled to Avon Bradford Reserves with a depleted team. However with the first team game with Avon Bradford called off, the Reserves were strengthened at the last minute. The game finished with no goals and a point apiece.

The conditions contributed to a high scoring game between Chippenham Athletic and Black Horse Devizes. Athletic raced into a 3-0 lead, with goals from Jason Cole (2) and Darren Legg. Black Horse rallied, scoring four times before the break. The visitors scored four more goals in the second half, with Athletic getting two goals to make the final score 8-5 to Black Horse.

Phil Read (3), Andy Webster (2), Jonathan Schofield (2) and Pete Cole scored for Black Horse. Legg and Matt Forster completed the Athletic goal tally. Both sides finished the game with 10 men, Athletic lost a player injured while Black Horse had a man sent off.

Leaders Rudloe made it six straight wins with a 9-1 win at Hilperton United Reserves. Two own goals, plus strikes from Stuart Hynes, Jason Walsh (3), Simon Matthews, Tim Smart and Matt Dancey made up Rudloe's tally. Chris Pill netted United's only reply.

Rowde Sports beat a young Seend United Reserves side by the odd goal in nine. James Webb (3), Graham Campion and Andy Morrison netted for Rowde, with Rob O'Harrow (2), Marcus Underwood and James Weston replying for Seend.

In Division One the weather ruined the top of table clash between Castle Combe West End and Broughton Gifford. Both goalkeepers excelled to keep the game at 0-0 with minutes left. Late Gifford pressure led to a controversial penalty award. Micky Baggs went down in the box with referee Tony Plunkett awarding the spot kick.

Substitute Simon Lunt's spot kick was well saved by Tony Clarke, but Lunt scored from the rebound. Earlier James Pope was denied by John Birt's goal-line clearance. Pope then missed the game's clearest opening.

Bradford Town Reserves took a 2-0 lead at Seend United, Matt Cottrell scoring either side of half-time. Barry Holloway got Seend back in the game and then equalised with a penalty.

Steeple Ashton closed the gap at the top of Division Two with a 4-1 win at Bradford United Reserves. Andy Martin put United in front before goals from Lee Hayward (2), Dan Phillips and Ulian Serafimov settled the game for Ashton.

Paul Davis twice put Hilperton United ahead at Freshford United. Mike Bergnach (penalty) and Tom Hopkins equalised before Alex McCall hit the winner.

Lavington and Easterton switched their home fixture with Dursley Arms to West Lavington's ground.

However Lavington's form did not improve, Dursley Arms winning 6-1 with goals from Paul Ford, Neil Taylor, Graham Townsend, Gary Gilling, Rob Walker and Derek Pow.

Mark Jordan hit Lavington's consolation goal.