Westbury Rangers B 2, Blue Circle Saints 4: BLUE Circle Saints kept up their early challenge for promotion to Division Three of the Shoestrings-sponsored Chippenham Sunday League with a win over town rivals Westbury Rangers B in the Westbury derby match.

They missed a hatfull of first-half chances, but found their scoring touch after the break to run out 4-2 winners to maintain their 100 per cent record intact and remain top of the table.

Saints' manager Richard Frankcom was pleased with the result, but admitted he had been concerned at half-time with the lack of goals.

"I don't think we had performed to our full potential. We knew that we were going to be involved in a tough match, but having dominated the first period and to go in at 0-0 at half-time, we were a little concerned that missed chances would prove costly," he said.

"We felt that Rangers were always more than capable of stealing the game, but when we found the net, it seemed to settle us down and we started to play some good football.

"Hopefully we can keep our fine start to the season going and build a lead at the top that will see us clinch a top two finish."

Rangers manager Jimmy Gardiner was disappointed at the final whistle and felt his side had been overawed by their local rivals, many of whom had played for the Rangers side before joining the Saints.

"A number of our players failed to perform on the day, but I thought defenders Dave Griffin and Danny Bawden, along with goalkeeper Paul Hillier, deserve special praise.

"Despite the defeat I am confident the side will still do well in this Division."

Rangers were under siege for the first 45 minutes and if it had not been for the heroics of goalkeeper Paul Hillier, they may well have gone in at half-time six goals down instead of 0-0.

The Saints started to show their superiority as early as the second minute when Liam Williams broke clear only to fire straight at Hillier.

Ten minutes later Hillier produced an excellent diving save to deny Williams once again. Midway through the half, Williams ought to have done better. With only the keeper to beat, his tame shot found the arms of Hillier.

In the 35th minute the Saints, who were dominating the first half, saw a blistering drive from Wayne Bristow superbly kept out by Hillier.

Minutes later, Hillier produced the save of the half when he produced a superb reflex save from point-blank range to keep out a bullet header from Richard Frankcom.

In the 42nd minute the Saints' Dean Wheeler hit a venomous 20-yard drive which had Hillier beaten all ends up but cannoned off the bar. On the stroke of half-time Wheeler was in the clear, but blasted over from close range.

A half-time team talk from Rangers' manager Jimmy Gardiner seemed to wake his side up as they started the second period with renewed belief, and came closest to breaking the deadlock when a pinpoint cross from Paul Osment junior was met by Steve Bruce who could not direct any power into his header.

Rangers' period of constant pressure almost paid off in the 55th minute when Pete Seviour's shot from 18 yards found its way through a host of players before being hacked to safety.

The Saints eventually broke the stalemate in the 61st minute.

Hillier, who had performed heroics in the first period to keep his side in the match, was guilty of an error that gifted Saints the lead as Liam Williams' weak effort rolled through his legs and into the open goal.

Rangers never gave up and were level five minutes later when Dave Griffin's free kick from 45 yards deceived everyone and ended up in the net passed a bemused Saints' goalkeeper Jason Curtis.

From the restart, the Saints restored their advantage when Williams pounced once again from close range to wrong foot Hillier.

Martin Hemmens increased the Saints' advantage in the 70th minute when he fired home from close range. Within a minute, Williams made it 4-1 to complete his hat-trick.

Ten minutes from time, Paul Osment junior reduced Rangers' arrears with a clinical finish from eight yards. Rangers' Steve Bruce ought to have made it 4-3 after he was left unmarked in the area, but from close range, he could only direct his shot at goalkeeper Curtis.

A highly competitive local derby that saw passions run high was played in an excellent manner by both sides and well refereed by newcomer George Parks.

Westbury Rangers B: Paul Hillier, Pete Seviour, Ben Shave, Paul Walsh, Danny Bawden, Dave Griffin, Steve Wyatt, Steve Bruce, Paul Osment Jnr, Paul Flanagan, Paul Osment Snr. Substitutes: Liam Griffiths, Marc Butcher, Ross Parker.

Blue Circle Saints: Jason Curtis, Wayne Bristow, Danny Dew, Sven Theopil, Russell Dyer, Barry Davis, Dean Wheeler, Richard Frankcom, Liam Williams, Graham Deveney, Graham Kirk. Substitutes: Martin Hemmens, Gavin Bailey, Steve Martin.

Referee: George Parks (Melksham).

Man of the match: Liam Williams (Blue Circle Saints).