FC Jager make a six-y start to the season

All three of them did just that with FC Jager (formerly Melksham Jagerbar) claiming the biggest by virtue of their 6-0 win over local rivals Eastlands FC who were hoping to start life in the division after relegation last term with a win against one of the favourites for promotion.

FC Jager had a slightly disappointing pre-season and although only losing once in their five friendlies, they had struggled to find form. However, Jager soon found their stride with about 15 minutes gone. Combatitive midfielder-Luke Smith heading back across the keeper after a fine cross from Nathan Walker, to score his first goal for the club.

Jager didn't have too much longer to wait for their second, when the impressive Smith grabbed his second, after a neat one-two with Nick Ridout-calmly slotting past Ben Bevan.

Eastlands refused to give up though and caused Jager quite a few problems in the air and came close to reducing the deficit several times but the score remained 2-0 at half time.

The second half saw the introduction of player manager-Barry Holloway and assistant manager-Dave Castle for Jager and this instantly brought a much needed shape to the attacking formation of the first half. Jager were soon 3-0 up as Nick Ridout brilliantly cut in from the wing and crossed for Dan King to slide into an empty net.

Jagers fourth came from Carl Harfield, once again good work from Ridout saw him cut in from the left to allow Harfield to smash home from 10 yards. Harfield got his second of the game with an almost identical build up to his last-with Ridout again the provider with his fourth assist of the game.

Nick Ridout himself, was rewarded for his efforts in providing goals, when he finally netted one himself in the last 10 minutes to wrap up the score at 6-0.

The game was played in good spirit and although the result wasn't particularly pleasing for Eastlands manager-Adam Davey, he will be encouraged by his sides work ethic and the fact they created quite a few good chances.

Jager manager Holloway was pleased with his ageing debutant-Dave Clayton, who played a solid game at the back and his keeper Dave Butler. Both of them playing a big part in helping to keep a clean sheet.

David Clayton (who is Melksham Towns assistant manager) commented "I was impressed with what I saw today. Holloway has assembled a good bunch of lads at this club and I'm looking forward to helping him progress these players. This isn't the last you've seen of me-despite being 40 years old - a lot older than these whipper snappers!"

FC Jager will face a stern test next Sunday, when they face fellow promotion rivals-British Lion of Devizes, in the WG Parr Trophy, in what should be an interesting match, if last season is anything to go by.

British Lion FC 1, Southwick Wanderers 0

British Lion were another side who gained promotion from division four and they started life in the third division with a 1-0 win over Southwick Wanderers for whom keeper Simon Cleaver had a fine game between the posts but he was unable to deny former Rowde man Jamie Mullings from scoring the Lion’s second half winner.

Pack Horse Rangers 3, Blue Circle (Sunday) 1

Pack Horse Rangers claimed the spoils against a Blue Circle (Sunday) outfit who were unable to continue where they left off from last term, the cement boys were beaten in just two of their final 10 games of the campaign while Pack horse failed to win any of their last eight fixtures.

Blue Circle had been hopeful of staring the new term with a win but it wasn’t to be as Pack Horse claimed a 3-1 success, Carl Britton scored from the penalty spot to give Pack Horse the lead, Simon Reid made it two-nil in the second half before Reid set up Britton for his second of the game. Jamie Howse scored a late penalty for Blue Circle but it was just a consolation.

Referee Julian Sattin had a fine match in the middle.

Steeple Ashton Rangers 2, Corsham United 1

After last season’s disappointing showing, Nathan Holloway’s Steeple Ashton Rangers got of to a fine start with a 2-1 home victory over Corsham United in what Ashton’s manager Nathan Holloway described as a sloppy start to the season for his side.

Ashton started poorly and United seemed to settle the better and create the chances in the opening 45 minutes. They had numerous attempts on goal that were wasted, James Hernandez had an good chance but looped the ball over from close range. Hernandez then had another chance and this time he remained calm to slot into the bottom corner.

In the second half Rangers got a lot closer to their players and worked harder for each other, Ashton had a few half chances and Marc Sheppard soon robbed the defence to go through on goal and equalise for the hosts. Corsham then got themselves back into the game and it was an even contest.

With 10 minutes of the game to go Corsham’s Dan McCabe handled from a corner and was consequently shown the red card, Mark Hunt stepped up to score from the spot for what would prove to be the winner.

Westbury Rangers B 2, The Crown FC 1

Westbury Rangers B claimed one of the results of the opening day by beating the Crown FC who had beaten them in three of their previous four encounters.

Rangers were 2-1 victors and had to come from behind before securing the points, Rangers trailed 1-0 to a Jason Lucas’ 13th minute goal. Dave Jones tapped home after good work from Dan Cox to restore parity for Rangers and this was after the Crown’s keeper Nick Harford had saved a Matty Mead penalty on 22 minutes.

Rangers were indebted to keeper Kevin Balchin for keeping them on level terms so when Ashley Easton claimed their winner 15 minutes from time when he cut in from the right wing before firing home a brilliant strike from 25 yards out an excellent battling all round team display had been rewarded with maximum points.

White Horse 3, Trowbridge Town Supporters’ Club 0

Life back in Division three started the way it had finished in Division four for Westbury based White Horse FC, although it took them time to finally shake off the spirited efforts of Trowbridge Town Supporters’ Club but in the end they claimed a fine 3-0 win. White Horse gave a debut to 16 year old Danny Clarkson, the younger brother of midfield anchorman Darren, and Jamie Bradley returned to the White Horse fold, having not appeared since the club's Devizes League days.

It was Supporters’ Club that were fastest out of the blocks as they dominated both possession and the territorial battle in the early stages, although they failed to convert either into any clear cut chances - a theme that was set to continue throughout the game.

Once the home team had got their first game nerves out of the system they began to attack in a bright, positive manner and it wasn't long before chances came their way.

Last season's top scorer Mark Pugh was the first to be frustrated, firstly by the post, having been cleverly put through by strike partner Andy Field, and then secondly by a goal line clearance. It wasn't long before more chances came their way and this time it was the impressive Rob Newton between the sticks that was to frustrate the home team, firstly reacting instinctively to deny the impressive Steve Tucker from point blank range and then acrobatically to turn a curling effort from Jamie Bradley over the bar.

When Danny Clarkson sent a thunderous drive inches over, the hosts must have been wondering whether this was going to be one of those days, especially given that they had lost the services of left back Mike Cornelius in just the 16th minute, meaning another debut, this time for substitute Lee Orzechowski.

However, White Horse's efforts were finally rewarded three minutes before the break when Pugh put through Tucker, who calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Newton for 1-0.

The second period took much the same shape as the first had, with the away team being reduced to hopeful efforts from long-range that failed to test Dave Sullivan in the White Horse goal and more chances arising at the other end.

Bradley was at the centre of most of the activity, firstly linking up brilliantly with Field only to see Newton deny him once more and then turning provider, when his free kick from near the corner flag was turned in, for his first ever White Horse goal, by Neil Orzechowski.

Bradley's influence was to come to an abrupt end however, when he was forced off with a hamstring injury on the hour mark, being replaced by the third White Horse debutante Tom Simblet.

It was to be a short-lived first appearance though, as, having only been on the field for 17 minutes, Simblet himself limped off with the recurrence of an injury picked up in a pre-season friendly, to be replaced by manager Clive Black.

With seven minutes left on the clock it was left to Andy Field to finish the proceedings with the goal of the game, his curling effort from 25 yards leaving Newton with no chance.

Despite some late pressure, a succession of corners and finally forcing Sullivan into a meaningful save, Kevin Williams' team were unable to breakdown the White Horse defence, marshaled impeccably by Rob Hart and John Beaverstock, and the Westbury based team ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, meaning they had picked up their first two points three months earlier than when they last started a Division three campaign.