A POOR first half showing from Bratton Reserves at The Fleece led to their undoing, as despite a brave second-half comeback Dave Griffin’s side, who were 3-0 at the interval, suffered a 4-3 defeat to the third division’s second placed side.

Sam Simpson put the Fleece ahead and their lead was doubled by Tom Downes and his second of the game made it 3-0 and looked as if it was sending the home side coasting to victory.

Bratton overcame their defensive frailties in the second half and look the game to their to their hosts and a 35 yard thunderbolt from Frankie McEntegart got them back in the game.

A second from McEntegart reduced the deficit to the odd goal and just when Bratton were getting the upper hand, they conceded what was a hotly-disputed penalty which was calmly tucked away by Nick Gleeson to restore a two-goal advantage for the Fleece.

Bratton clawed a third goal back five minutes from time, with McEntegart completing his hat-trick, but for the visitors to the Beeches it wasn’t enough as the hosts held out to pick up three more valuable points in the bid for promotion.   

Trowbridge Rangers 0 Westwood News 7

A 10TH straight victory for Mark Hurkett’s Westwood News side saw them maintain their nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Hurkett’s warriors kicked off 2013 in style with a 7-0 win at a Trowbridge Rangers outfit who were really outplayed from the first whistle.

Had it not been for some brave defending from the hosts and poor finishing from the visitors to Whaddon Lane the defeat could have been greater.

Westwood lead inside 90 seconds with Tom Rooney putting them in front.  Trowbridge held their ground until the 25th minute and then a Steve Bryant effort doubled the leaders advantage and two minutes later Rich Jones headed in a Bryant corner for 3-0.

In what was a carbon copy of their third another, Bryant corner on 38 minutes looked to have already crossed the line before Jones headed in to claim his second of the half to put Westwood four goals to the good.

 

Richard Jones turned provider for Westwood’s fifth on 51 minutes, his cut back found Tom Rooney who had a simple finish to claim his second of the afternoon.

Substitute Josh Maguire made it 6-0 before Rooney completed his hat-trick, five minutes from time to put the icing on what was a fine personal performance from the man who is proving a to be a star in his first season for the villagers. 

Trowbridge Town Reserves 0 Bradford United Reserves 4

IT WAS third versus fourth at Woodmarsh where Trowbridge Town Reserves, third at the start of play, hosted Bradford United Reserves.

But come the final whistle the teams had swapped positions as Bradford who lost the reverse fixture in November 7-2 produced an excellent all-round team display as they avenged that loss with a 4-0 victory of their own.

Bradford went ahead through a first of the afternoon from Jonny Eamer, Tom May doubled their lead before a second from Eamer gave the visitors to Trowbridge a commanding half time lead.

With Bradford’s defence on top of their game, the hosts were unable to find a way back into the game and their fate was sealed when Scott Mitchell fired in his teams fourth to wrap up a deserved victory.

MATCHES OFF: Lacock FC v Polenez Westbury, Levi’s FC v The Stiffs.

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