PREMIER DIVISION: Melksham looking good for third place (From Wiltshire Times)

PREMIER DIVISION: Melksham looking good for third place

1:30pm Monday 2nd April 2012 in Sport

AFC MELKSHAM completed their Premier Division programme with a 5-2 triumph at Bug & Spider who despite being Knockout Cup finalists, continue to struggle for a side as their campaign reaches its climax.

Melksham, having lost the reverse fixture against their hosts, were keen to avenge that result and they were up for the game right from the first whistle. The visitors spent most of the first half attacking the Bug & Spider goal, but the hosts keeper Chris Long was worthy of everything thrown at him while Melksham keeper Rob Brown was having an easy time, with the exception of a bad miss from Aaron Hopkins who blasted over with the advancing Brown beaten.

Melksham opened the scoring on 25 minutes with a sweet left-footed drive from the excellent Tom Robinson.

Not to be out done by his twin brother, Josh Robinson blasted the second after proving a thorn in the home defence for long periods.

With three minutes left of the first half and Bug on the ropes, big centre back Matt Cooper hooked in a left-footed effort from close range and the visitors went in at half time three goals to the good and in total command.

The second half continued as the first with Matt Cooper getting his second and at 4-0 the visitors made three changes bringing on Ethan Cox, Ashley Fletcher and Graham Griffiths and resting Brett Partner, Josh Robinson and Matt Cooper.

Melksham added their fifth when they were awarded a penalty after Dan Barnett was brought down in the box and Tom Robinson swept home the penalty for 5-0.

Bug & Spider, who had played some good football with Marcus Lovesey, Mark Dolman and Pete Thornton working hard to try to get back into the game.

And on 80 minutes they reduced the deficit when Mark Dolman hit a lightning strike into the roof of the net.

Melksham wasted a number of chances to increase their lead before Aaron Hopkins lashed the ball home to give the hosts their second consolation.

p>Semington Rovers 5 Box Rovers 2

IT WAS a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show for Box Rovers who, after last weeks stunning 3-0 victory over Biddestone Social, came crashing back to earth with a bang.

A run of five victories has seen Semington finish on a high and now in seventh place they are clear of danger and one of the in-form sides in the division.

Allan Clarke’s side who won the reverse fixture 7-1 decided to pick their places out of a hat and it was their usual goalkeeper Corey Williams who gave them the perfect start when he netted on five minutes. Box got themselves back on level terms before half time with Tom Lye scoring.

The second half came to life on the hour mark when Semington regained the lead courtesy of a Kelvin Lockwood header.

Ricky King making a rare appearance for Semington made it 3-1 with a simple tap-in giving him his first ever premier league goal and his first since he scored against North Bradley in November 2006.

Semington’s fourth came from Andy Harrison who got on the end of an excellent team build up to roll the ball home for 4-1.

Box pulled a goal back through Ross Lye which was only a consolation as Kelvin Lockwood rose above the Box defence to head home his second and Semington’s fifth of the game.

MATCH OFF: Biddestone Social v FC Bradford

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