LOCAL rivals Melksham Cosmos and Sportzcoach Dragonz United had more than just bragging rights at stake when they met at Christie Miller.

Both needed victory to keep themselves in the battle for a top two finish and in the case of Cosmos a possible chance of the title.

Sportzcoach, who have not been in the best of form recently, were probably out of the promotion race before the two sides met. If they weren’t they are now as Cosmos romped to a convincing 5-0 success.

Dan Moore’s goal against his former side gave Cosmos the lead, Marc Bowden made it 2-0 before Moore bagged his second to put his new employers three up at the interval.

Second-half goals from Joe Griffiths and Jason Hull wrapped up second win of the season for Cosmos against their rivals, but more importantly the win sees them close the gap on leaders Potterne to 12 points with games in hand.

Four wins out of their last five games which included a 3-0 success over Melksham Cosmos had helped North Star FC rise to third place in the standings just ahead of their Sunday morning opponents FC Buscots who, despite losing two of their last three outings, have a realistic chance of finishing in the top two and that was enhanced after they thumped the Star 6-0 to close the gap on both Cosmos and Potterne.

Goals from Phil Little and Ali Bradley gave Buscots a 2-0 interval lead. Jake Waters added number three; a second for Phil Little made it 4-0.

Goal number five was scored by Nick Oram and the scoring was completed by Rob Drown who made it 6-0 when planted home for what was a well-worked team goal.

FC Pig & Whistle twice came from behind to claim a share of the spoils from their 2-2 draw away at Pheasant FC.

Richie Bolter saw his opener for Pheasant wiped out by Jack Woolsgrove. A second from Bolter helped his team reclaim the lead only for Kyle Tinson to earn Pig & Whistle their point when he put though his own net.

After opening the season with a 2-0 win at Miller Sports A, villagers Sutton Benger have surprisingly managed just one win from their subsequent 16 matches and now face a battle to stay in the division.

A 2-0 reverse for the Miller Boys’ means that Benger go into next week's game with basement side Trowbridge Town Supporters Club needing a victory to edge them closer to safety.

Miller dominated the opening exchanges but it wasn’t until Benger started to grow into the game that they broke the deadlock when Ashley Monaghan’s cross looped over the Benger keeper.

Monaghan then provided the through ball that led to Richard Moules hitting the second for the winners, with both goal coming in the first half.

Trowbridge Town Supporters Club remain rooted to the foot of the table following their 8-4 loss away at Talbot FC who bounced back to form after their WG Parr Trophy semi-final defeat last weekend.

Matt Law netted a first-half double for Talbot, Shaun Ward’s second of the season and a Paul Ranger own goal put them 4-1 ahead.

Nathan West’s second-half double, Jake Mizen along with a third for Matt Law made up Talbot’s eight.

The supporters’ club, who fared a lot better in the second half, replied with goals from Dave Strickland, Sean O’Brien, Dean Coles and Paul Ranger who went someway to atoning for his first half own goal.