CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: Jager topple Bug at third attempt (From Wiltshire Times)

CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: Jager topple Bug at third attempt

1:30pm Monday 18th March 2013 in Sport

THE only fixture in the S.K. Fruits Limited Chippenham Sunday League Premier Division saw Bug & Spider host FC Jager at Beversbrook, Calne.

Despite shocking conditions they somehow managed to get the game played and, with Jager having lost the previous two meetings of the sides, both in the Knockout Cup, Barry Holloway’s side made it third time lucky as a 3-1 kept their hopes of beating Biddestone Social to the title very much alive.

Surprisingly, the game turned out to be a cracking end-to-end contest, with some good football played by both teams.

With surface water plaguing the whole middle of the field, both teams looked to the flanks to launch their attacks and it was Jager who drew first blood with Nick Ridout prodding home from close range.

The game remained close though and Bug & Spider had a few chances of their own to equalise before half time, Dave Butler saving well on a few occasions to keep Jager 1-0 up going into the break.

The second half saw an improvement in playing conditions, with the majority of surface water draining away.

Bug & Spider upped the tempo and looked hungry for an equaliser.

They got their reward 15 minutes into the half, when Dave Herring blasted home following a sustained period of pressure on the Jager defence.

But their celebrations were shortlived, as minutes later Nick Ridout scored from close range again following good work from Dan Moore.

Bug & Spider maintained the pressure on Jager though and looked likely to equalise for a second time until Jager scored a fantastic counter-attack goal.

Ridout completed his hat-trick with the pick of the bunch, beating his marker and striking into the far bottom corner with his weaker left foot with 10 minutes remaining.

The goal essentially killed the game off as Bug & Spider's heads dropped. Jager enjoyed their best period of the second half in the last 10 minutes, where they could have increased their lead on a few occasions but for some good defending from Bug & Spider and some poor finishing.

Referee Roger Smith praised both teams for the fantastic spirit in which the game was played, despite challenging conditions.

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