3:30pm Monday 17th December 2012
THE top of the table clash in Division Two between promotion-chasing sides Goatacre CC and White Horse FC lived up to its pre-match billing as the division’s match of the day.
It produced a nine-goal thriller which Goatacre won 5-4 to end the hoodoo that Clive Black’s side had seem to have over Sam Parish and his cricketers.
After racing to a three-goal lead inside 17 minutes, White Horse looked on course for a comfortable win and even at 4-2 up after 60 minutes, win number seven looked safe.
However, Goatacre mounted a remarkable fightback to steal maximum points from a truly compelling game.
Chris Stiles headed in at the near post to put White Horse in front on six minutes.
Jordan Gullis doubled the visitors advantage on 12 minutes and when Pete Ayton scored from the penalty spot after Stiles had taken a tumble in the area it was 3-0 with just 17 minutes gone.
Ed Wilkins reduced the arrears for Goatacre and when Ross Crichton with his first of the season added a second they were definitely back in the game.
Both sides had and missed chances to add to their first half goals before Dale Rowland fired home to put White Horse 4-2 in front on the hour mark and at that stage victory looked a formality.
White Horse conceded a needless penalty and Ross Crichton calmly slotted home to allowed Goatacre back in the game.
Ed Wilkins squared things up at four-apiece as he restored parity for Goatacre with his second of the game.
With neither team happy to settle for a draw it was Goatacre who grabbed the winner courtesy of the first of the season from Rob Murphy who scored two minutes from time to hand the hosts their incredible victory that puts them level at the top of the table with Staverton.
Somerford FC 2 Kings Arms (All Cannings) 3
JIM Wilson’s Kings Arms (All Cannings) travelled to Somerford in a confident mood looking to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches and thanks to a 3-2 success not only did they keep their fine run of late going but they also picked up their first ever win over their fellow villagers.
Kings Arms started brightly and bossed the game in the first 20 minutes with some great passing moves and they took a deserved lead when central midfielder Lee Campbell thumped a shot into the back of the net.
Arms were in the ascendancy but they found themselves pegged back when Somerford to the amazement of both teams were awarded a penalty which Chris Yeo converted to make it 1-1.
Somerford started to find some space down the wings and a ball in to the area found Ashley Monaghan who put the hosts ahead.
Kings Arms had to dig deep and just before half time a across from Andy Hunt found Luke Chant who scored with a spectacular half volley from 25 yards make it two-each.
Arms started the second half on the back foot as Somerford went in search of a third, but with the Arms defence holding firm it was the visitors who regained the lead.
The returning Jon Giddings turned his marker and hit a thunderbolt from 35 yards with a goal that deserved to win any game.
With 20 minutes remaining Kings Arms brought on Jacob Rogers who should have tied the game up, with his first touch he found himself one-on-one with the keeper but his first touch was too heavy and the chance went begging.
Somerford tried in vain to get an equaliser but it was the Wilson’s men that went home with the points thanks to another great team display ahead of their game with leaders Staverton next week.
MATCHES OFF: Southwick Wanderers v Staverton, Sutton Benger v GRFC.
CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE ROUNDUP, STATS AND PICTURES IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport and @WTSport
© Copyright 2001-2013 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk
http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/trade_directory/