Rovers pull off cup surprise

SIX Division One sides were knocked out by team from the lower flights in a day of surprise results in the first round the WG Parr Trophy sponsored this season by Rainbow Launderette of Trowbridge.

Third Division Semington Rovers led the way as they upstaged their Second Division opponents Westbridge United with a surprise but well deserved 5-2 victory.

Rovers outplayed United to earn their memorable win, despite going a goal behind after only three minutes. Rovers' keeper Richard Bean was unable to hold on to Paul Bendell's fiercely hit effort and Paul Daly was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

On the half hour Rovers grabbed a deserved equaliser. Kelvin Lockwood was initially thwarted by Alex Knight in United's goal, but his fine save rebounded to Wesley Bray, who fired Rovers level from 20 yards past the despairing goalkeeper.

Rovers took the lead on the stroke of half-time when an excellent ball from Allan Clark was swept home by Stuart Barber to give the visitors a deserved half-time advantage.

On the hour Rovers lost the inspirational Castle with a head injury that resulted in an overnight stay in hospital. Despite the set back Rovers moved 3-1 in front a minute later when substitute Nick Walden's cross was rifled home past his own goalkeeper by Rodgers.

United reduced the arrears in the 70th minute when Bendell's lightning pace took him clear of Rovers' static defence. Having committed the goalkeeper, he calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Rovers moved 4-2 in front in the 89th minute when Danny Phillips wriggled through United's defence to slam the ball home. Their memorable victory was completed on the stroke of full time when Barber's angled shot dropped over Knight and into the net.

Last season's beaten finalists and cup giantkillers Corsham Park Rangers showed their efforts of last year were no fluke. The Fourth Division side overcame First Division The George Lacock 2-0. Martin Perrett gave them a 44th minute lead from the penalty spot, after Darren Selman upended the advancing Wolf, and Neil Bolton scored an individual goal as good as anyone could ever wish to see.

After picking up the ball 40 yards out and skipping past three players in the area he calmly slotted the ball home to complete the win with two minutes remaining.

Chippenham Black Horse came out on top in the all Third Division clash by claiming a 3-2 win over the Farmhouse. Darren Whiston (2) and Tony Kerwick gave the Horse a 3-0 advantage until late in the game. Goals from Lee Hayward and Marc Sheppard in the final 10 minutes set up a thrilling finale, but the Horse were able to hold out.

Black Horse goalkeeper Graham Jones again played a major part in his team's victory, pulling off a number of fine saves at crucial times in the game.

Two 35-yard efforts from Nigel Hall helped Second Division Navy Tavern United overcome the Third Division Plough 6-2. Paul McCarthy (2), Lawrence Gerrish and Wayne Painter completed the half dozen. The Plough replied through Pete Collier and an own goal.

Division Four side North Star B and First Division outfit Atworth United were involved in a 10-goal thriller which the Star eventually won 6-4 in extra-time to cause a yet another major cup upset.

Steve Vince had given United an early lead before Shaun King (penalty), Nick Cawley and Darren Axford looked to have swung the tie the Star's way. Vince then added a second before Gary Bye netted a late equaliser to send the tie into extra-time. James Austin netted to put the Star in front, but United's Vince then bagged his third of the game to bring the scores level at 4-4. After almost two hours of pulsating football penalties looked certain until the intervention of Austin and Cawley who sent the Star through with their second goals of the match in the final few minutes.

Referee John Flynn received special praise from both sides.

A 45-yard free kick from Jerry Clark and a poacher's goal from defender turned striker Barry Nash were of little consolation to Fourth Division Old Road Tavern, who suffered a 7-2 defeat against in-form Bromham from Division One. The Tavern were trailing 3-2 at the break before Bromham took control in the second period to run out easy winners with goals from Ashton Turner (3), Richard Dyke, Mark Napier, Danny Powell and Antonio Cavaciuti.

A Lee Scutter hat-trick, which included a penalty, and a solo effort from Clint Cabrel earned AFC Unicorn a 4-1 win over Peter Black, whose consolation came from Shane Randall.

Referee George Parks had yet another outstanding game.

Third Division, Rowde progressed to the next round with a 3-2 win over Trowbridge Town Colts from the Second Division. Martin Williams put Rowde 1-0 up before Julian Uphill levelled. Two further Williams' efforts put Rowde in command until Alan House converted an 80th minute penalty to set up a tense finish against a side who were reduced to 10 men when Eddie Wiltshire was sent off in the 60th minute.

The efforts of Trowbridge Harriers' manager John Baker were rewarded as his side strolled into the last 16 with a convincing 5-1 victory over Division One Gladstone Liberal Club. This was after the Libs had opened the scoring through Jason Prades. Robbie Simmonds (3), Paul Edwards and Matty Hobbs made up Harriers' quintet. Baker was up at the crack of dawn forking the pitch and removing surface water to ensure the pitch was in a playable condition.

First Division Colerne A staged a storming late fight back with only 10 minutes remaining to turn a 3-2 deficit against West End Wanderers into a 5-3 victory. Wayne Bailey (2) and Adie Appleton had given Division Two side Wanderers the lead, only for goals from Jamie Bowler (2), Tony Trotman, Kevin Jones and Rob White to secure Colerne's passage into the draw for the next round.

Another cup shock saw Chippenham Police from Division One defeated by Fourth Division Bradstone Rovers. Rovers and the Police were involved in a classic cup tie which was finally settled on penalties.

Tim Culling gave the Police the lead before goals from Alan Eades, John Bowman and Darren McLaughlin edged Rovers in front. Phil Martin and Jason Roberts levelled before Culling added his second of the game to put the Police 4-3 up. Eades then bagged a brace to edge Rovers 5-4 in front, but the Police took the tie to extra-time when Steve Lever fired home a late equaliser.

With extra-time producing no further goals the penalty shoot-out saw Rovers progress 4-2, thanks to successful spot kicks from Steve Giles, Alex Wells, Alan Eades and Paul Bartlett.

Holders Maud Heath Sports have to wait to begin the defence of their title after their visit to Wingfield was postponed with the home team's John of Gaunt pitch being deemed unplayable. This was one of five cup matches lost to waterlogged pitches.

The matches between Biddestone Social Club and Cooper Avon, Blue Circle Saints and Trowbridge Town Youth, Hullavington and Sutton Benger and Malmesbury Victoria and Potley United were also casualties of the weather. Dates have yet to be decided when these outstanding matches will now be played.