CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR: Rangers suffer Cosmos defeat (From Wiltshire Times)

CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR: Rangers suffer Cosmos defeat

6:30pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport

MELKSHAM Cosmos ended a three-match losing run with a 3-2 win over Trowbridge Rangers (Sunday) who had beaten them 2-0 just a fortnight ago and the victory for Matthew Bowden’s side denied Rangers a third straight victory as they look to pull clear of the bottom of Division Four.

The Cosmos management decided to stick with the same formation which dictated the early season form and that decision proved right as the hosts started brightly with lots of possession, but a lack of conviction as shown in previous weeks.

With a lack of central midfield options it was the energetic Matt Brock who filled the void with ease in his first time in this position.

After 20 minutes, Cosmos were dominating and were only goalless after an excellent save from Rangers keeper who kept out a goal bound Jason Hull volley.

The first goal came shortly after when Matt Brock picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and was fouled just outside the 18 yard box.

Marc Bowden, the Cosmos set piece specialist, scored from the resulting free kick driving the ball low into the bottom right corner of the goal.

This goal lifted the spirits of the Cosmos players and, as they were pushing for a second, they got caught in possession and conceded an equaliser shortly after due to a deadly counter attack from Rangers who restored parity through Nathan Ball.

At half time the score was level and the Cosmos had plenty of work to do, the half time team talk from Rich Ayling clearly inspired the team as in the early stages of the second half the Cosmos were pushing very hard for the second goal which eventually came on 65 minutes, with Jason Hull running 30 yards down the right flank and hitting an excellent cross to manager Matt Bowden, who controlled the ball and slotted home to put the Cosmos 2-1 ahead.

Shortly after, Bowden decided to take himself off for the reliable defender Ryan Swann in an attempt to try and see out the win that was desperately needed.

Trowbridge Rangers were searching for another equaliser but got caught two minutes later when a low cross was parried by the keeper into the path of winger and workhorse Matt Clements, who slotted the ball into the empty net in front of on looking wife and new born baby.

Cosmos were cruising and looking to see the game out and pick up the two points that were in desperate need of.

Rangers’ advances bared fruit with five minutes to go when Adam Stevens scored with a great strike into the top right corner from 20 yards out.

This game was excellently refereed by Neil Wilcox and Matt Brock was voted Cosmos man of the match in his first game in centre midfield.

Sportzcoach Dragonz United 4 Oakhill FC

A 4-0 win for Sportzcoach Dragonz United over basement side Oakhill saw them close the gap to FC North Wiltshire to just three points and with a game in hand on the leaders who they play next weekend in what is a must win game for both teams it makes for what is likely to be a fascinating climax to the season.

With Sportzcoach unable to use their pitch at Stanley Park the fixture was switched to Kington Langley Shaun Heathcote with his first goal of the season gave Sportzcoach the lead which was doubled by Dan Barnett to give his team a 2-0 interval lead.

After the break a 12th goal of the season from Marc Bowsher gave Sportzcoach the breathing apace they were looking for and the victory was secured courtesy of a well taken Paul Cuthbertson effort for whom it was his sixth goal in just four starts.

Referee Chris Morris had an excellent game in the middle, but his life was made easy by both teams who played the game in an excellent sporting spirit and were a credit to themselves and the League.

Trowbridge Town Supporters Club 4 Worton & Cheverell (Sunday) 1

TROWBRIDGE Town Supporters Club served up a first half treat at home to Worton & Cheverell (Sunday) as they ended their two match mini slump with a 4-1 win over Chris Cole’s side in what was a long overdue first meeting of the season between the sides.

Dean Coles put the supporters’ club ahead on two minutes and just a couple of minutes later a second from Coles doubled the hosts lead.

It became 3-0 on 14 minutes when the unfortunate Kieran Dickinson put through his own net.  Jake Flower reduced the arrears for Worton when he scored from the penalty spot.

A first goal of the season from Stuart Farr regain a three goal cushion for the supporters’ club before half time, but unbelievably after an action-packed first, the second period failed to provide no further goals with the standout moment coming early in the half when a hamstring injury to match referee Barry Taylor saw him replaced by Kevin Williams.

MATCH OFF: FC United of Chippenham v Crossblades FC.

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