Steeple Ashton are favourites for title

10:31am Monday 28th April 2008

With the two automatic promotion places in Division Four already sorted out, all that now needs to be decided is whether leaders Steeple Ashton Rangers or Riverside Renegades will be crowned champions.

Nathan Holloway's Steeple Ashton side are in pole position and one point from their remaining two matches, against Trowbridge Town Supporters' Club and Three Crowns United, will see them crowned champions.

The league newcomers have won 15 games on the bounce and are unlikely to fall at the final hurdle, but as Riverside lay in wait to pounce on any slip-up that may come their way.

Both side overcame potential banana skins at the weekend with emphatic victories that saw Steeple Ashton defeat Chippenham United 8-0 and Riverside beat Old Road Tavern 11-1.

Steeple Ashton Rangers 8, Chippenham United 0

SUNSHINE greeted Steeple Ashton and Chippenham United as they took to the pitch at St Mary's and things just got brighter and brighter for the home team as after a slow start they cut though Chippenham's defence like a knife through butter.

Ashton soon found themselves in front when Marc Sheppard played in Lee Mounty who stroked the ball home with a calm left foot finish.

Captain Mark Hunt had a great chance to double the lead but lifted his shot way over the bar. Moments later it was Mounty who got his second to double the lead when he slotted home after being played in by Sheppard.

Marc Sheppard then got on the score sheet when he rounded the visitors' keeper after being played in by Dave Singadia. A Nathan Holloway cross saw Mike Ritson's header rebound off the bar for Ritson to follow up and make it 4-0.

Holloway then set up Sheppard for his second goal that saw Sheppard outmuscle a defender and cooly slot home.

With the half-time score 5-0 in favour of the home side Steeple Ashton threatened to run riot in the second period but they seemed to ease off and although Ritson provided a little magic when he ghosted past two defenders and deliciously chipped the keeper from just over 30 yards to make it 6-0, the goal glut didn't materialise.

Not wanting to be out done, Dave Chamberlain ventured up from full back and hit a 45 yard thunderbolt which rocketed into the top corner. Phil Lewis had a goal disallowed for a dubious offside despite the ball appearing to be played backwards.

In the dying minutes Lewis grabbed his first goal for the club with a volley from Sheppard's corner to the back post that took the final scoreline to 8-0 leaving them needing just a point for the title.

Riverside Renegades 11, Old Road Tavern 1

LANCE Davis was on top form for Riverside Renegades as they routed Old Road Tavern 11-1, scoring all 12 goals in the process.

Davis scored the opening two goals for his Bradford-based side, before Lee Ridout added number three and Davis scored a third before the break to complete his hat-trick and give the hosts a 4-0 interval lead.

Davis was first on the score sheet in the second period when he made it 5-0.

Jake Jordan added number six with Davis scoring his fifth of the game to make it 7-0.

A brace from substitute Joe Taylor, a single from Jason Jenkins and another from Davis that saw him complete a double hat-trick made up Riverside's 11.

Ricky Montacute was the unlucky Riverside player who put through his own net for Old Road's consolation.

AFC Lyneham 4, North Star B 2

AFC LYNEHAM couldn't buy a win in their first 22 matches of the season, but the team that looked as if they would pass the 200 goal mark for goals conceded this term, finished the season on a high as they kept their goals conceded tally below 200 and, having beaten Wanderers 4-3 in their penultimate match, followed that with a 4-2 success over near neighbours North Star B who played the match at Goatacre with 10 men.

Hayden Sheffield put Lyneham in front on 25 minutes but Matt Davis drew the Star level five minutes later.

Mark Adams' 38th minute goal gave the lead back to Lyneham but two minutes later the Star were level, thanks to Andy Dolman.

On the stroke of half-time the match swung back Lyneham's way when Hayden Sheffield gave the hosts a 3-2 advantage with his second goal of the game.

Lyneham finally sealed their victory with a second from Mark Adams 10 minutes from time.

Kings Arms (Market Lavington) 1, Three Crowns United 5

CHIPPENHAM-based Three Crowns United look a good bet to finish in third spot after their Marcus Young inspired victory saw them move above Trowbridge Town Supporters' Club and into third place.

Their 5-1 success over Kings Arms has given them a one point advantage they should maintain.

Kings Arms played the match with 10 players rather than postpone it and they were dealt a further blow when goalkeeper Curtis Marsden suffered a broken thumb and Sebastian Pernanski replaced him between the sticks.

Gary Robinson and Mike Cassidy scored two apiece for the Three Crowns with Marcus Young, who set up three of the goals, scoring number five. Steve Foord was on target for Kings Arms.