PREMIER DIVISION: Stalemate at Christie Miller (From Wiltshire Times)

PREMIER DIVISION: Stalemate at Christie Miller

1:00pm Monday 10th September 2012 in Sport

FC COLERNE stretched their unbeaten league run to 17 matches when they took a point from their visit to AFC Melksham in what was an eventful goalless draw in the Premier Division of the S.K. Fruits Ltd, Chippenham Sunday League.

After both teams had made a good start to the season they turned up at Christie Miller looking to build on their opening-day successes.

But the last thing the crowd of over 50 supporters expected was a goalless draw between the two attack-minded sides.

Both managers watched on as the action went from end to end, producing chance after chance, but couldn’t deliver the goals it cried out for.

Colerne's keeper Chris Dixon produced a couple of outstanding first-half saves including an excellent low dive to keep out a Tom Robinson piledriver and Colerne’s Liam Fullam hit an upright with Nick Dibden stranded.

Melksham had the best chance of the half to break the deadlock when they were awarded a penalty but Ashley Fletcher blasted his spot kick high and wide of the target.

The second half was much the same as the first with chances being missed at both ends and the exceptional Dixon producing a string of good saves and the home side tried to up the pace.

Colerne remained dangerous on the break with Charlie Spirell and Paul Bales making break away moves with Dibden earning his pay.

Melksham brought on Chris Rogers to replace the hard-working Ian Dowell and the game began to swing the home side's way, along with the introduction of Tom Baxley to replace Chris Dore, who had been well shackled by the big defenders of Colerne.

Sixteen year old Tony McElhore also made his debut for the injured Matt Cooper.

With Dixon having an inspired game and Dibden when called on being equally outstanding the game looked to be heading towards the rarest of outcomes when Rogers released Mike Hill down the left.

He beat the busy Scott Lees and hit a cross back from the by line across the packed goalmouth to the speedy Tony McElhore who knocked the ball into the net to seemingly win the game for Melksham.

But as they ran back to await the restart the goal was ruled as after consultation between referee and linesman as the ball had gone out of play before it had been crossed over.

Both teams will feel they had chances to win the game, but with the final whistle minutes later Colerne felt they had gained a point and the home side lost one.

Semington Rovers 1 Biddestone Social 5

BIDDESTONE Social fell a goal behind away at Semington Rovers but on a sun-drenched morning the defending top-flight champions overcame the heat and a determined Rovers outfit to turn things around - all six goals coming in the first half.

Semington caught their guests cold and took the lead in the fourth minute with Kelvin Lockwood putting the hosts ahead with a well-placed volley.

Biddestone weren’t behind for long, as a long ball from Jamie Moss picked out Gary Banks, who lobbed the Semington keeper to level matters on eight minutes.

Biddestone went in front on 14 minutes through Jamie Lyons who picked up the loose ball and netted from eight yards to make it 2-1.

Nathan Phillimore added number three in the 20th minute after beating a host of players on the wing, cutting inside and firing a stunner into the top corner for 3-1.

Danny Jones increased Biddestone’s advantage on 25 minutes, controlling a Phillimore cut back and finishing well from 10 yards.

However the goal of the game and probably the season was scored in the 44th minute by Jamie Lyons, who volleyed home a wonder strike from just inside Semington’s half - some 40-plus yards from goal.

Lyons dipping volley over the Semington keeper was a fitting finish to the scoring as neither sides could add anymore in a what was quiet second period.

Westbury Rangers 6 FC Brunel 4

BEAU Blakeman was the star of the show for Westbury Rangers as he grabbed a hat trick in their home win over FC Brunel.

Brunel played their part in a classic and with better finishing in front of goal may have got their first point in the top flight.

Mark Young opened the scoring for Westbury before they were pegged back by Brunel when Kieren Smith scored from the penalty spot.

The first of the morning from Blakeman regained the lead for Westbury only for Brunel to level for a second time courtesy of a second from Smith.

Westbury retook the lead early in the second thanks to a long-range stunner from Blakeman.

A second of the game from Young gave Westbury a 4-2 advantage but back came Brunel with Mark Nolan scoring.

Nathan Hallett gave Rangers back a two-goal cushion but never say die Brunel hit back again through Ross Menghini.

Brunel were unlucky not to draw level and they were dealt a killer blow when Blakeman completed his hat-trick with Westbury’s sixth of a high-tempo game which was a credit to all those involved.

MATCH OFF: AFC Calne v FC Jager

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

Comments are closed on this article.