Robson Taylor Chippenham Sunday League News 2007/08  RSS feed | About

Oli Sleman

With AFC Bell looking likely to be crowned on Thursday night when they face Bromham, the race is on for the runners-up spot and this weekend's clash between second-placed Biddestone White Horse and Pheasant could decide who gets the second automatic promotion spot.

The heavyweight battle at Yatton Keynell between Matt Unwin's White Horse side, who have suffered just one defeat from 23 games, and Oli Sleman's Chippenham-based Pheasant side has been billed as a winner-takes-all clash that would see the victors finish the season in second place.

Should the match end all square, Pheasant would require just one point from their final game of the season against Churchill Arms to pip the White Horse to the silverware.

If Biddestone White Horse should lose out they will look back at draws against White Horse, Blue Circle and The Crown as the games where they threw away promotion.

When the teams met in November the match ended 2-2, with Pete Dennett and Jamie Holland scoring for Biddestone White Horse and Jack Coathupe and Matt Pike replying for Pheasant.

The match should be a thriller as both sides should go looking for the win, but although the hosts haven't been playing that well of late they have the firepower that should seem them home. In Jack Coathupe, Tom Jones and defender Gary Lock they have players who know where the net is.

They will also have Ben Highmore, Dan Johnson, Dan Clements available and Darren Wickham and Vince Ryan are back from injury, but they will be missing Nat Auckland who begins a suspension.

Biddestone White Horse have been very shy in front of goal of late and have managed to hit the target just 16 times in eight games, so they will be hoping that top scorer Scott Fleming, who has netted 25 of their 65 goals so far, with have a good day. With just four goals in his last 11 matches he has gone off the boil but he is due a big game and he could be saving up all his goals for this one match.

The game is too close to call and is likely to end up with a second stalemate between the sides but if Biddestone White Horse fail to take their chances as and when they come along they will pay the price and Pheasant will pick up the victory and the runners-up spot.

Blue Circle (Sunday) v AFC Melksham

WHEN AFC Melksham were first scheduled to visit Blue Circle at the cement works in Westbury back in January, they were top of the table and looking to increase their lead on the chasing pack.

But now AFC Melksham are in fourth spot and and no matter what the outcome is against the cement boys they are certain to finish where they are.

On current form it is hard to predict a winner as both camps have been way off the pace of late, but with three wins from six games it suggests that Mike Rogers' side should register another two points that will take them to 31 for the season.

Having failed to win in their last five outings, Steve Martin's Blue Circle side will be fearing the worst, especially as AFC Melksham have already beaten them 6-2, when Chris Dore (2), Andy Harrison, Mark James, Dan Rimmer and the injured Wayne Bailey shared the goals.

There is good news and bad news for the cement boys ahead of the game.

The good news is that AFC Melksham haven't been at their best of late and were let down by a number of players, including Mark James and Steve Pegler, last weekend that saw them lose 3-2 against Bromham.

The bad news is that the players could return to action this weekend and if they do they may have a point too prove and could well get on the score sheet, as could Wayne Bailey. And if Chris Dore can add to his double from a week ago AFC Melksham should win, but, with home advantage, Blue Circle will fancy their chances of getting at least a point from the game.

Westbury Rangers B v Pack Horse Rangers

PACK Horse Rangers, who have not won since they beat Blue Circle 2-1 at the end of January, travel to Meadow Lane where they take on Westbury Rangers B, who claimed a great 2-1 success over The Crown last night.

The hosts will be keen to claim back-to-back victories as they look to close out a season that could see them finish in the top half of the standings.

As Pack Horse have not won in 10 games, it should be a formality for the home side to pick up what would be their ninth win of the season as they look to cement seventh place in their penultimate match of what has been a good season for Dave Griffin's side that at times have shown signs of what they can do and who if they had lost key players to injury might well have threatened a much higher finish.

The earlier encounter between the sides ended all square at 1-1, with Liam Griffiths scoring for Westbury and Phil Clark netting for the Pack Horse.

The reverse fixture may well end up with honours shared once again but if there is to be an outright winner the money would have to be on Westbury to clinch victory by the odd goal in a low scoring game.

11:57am Friday 2nd May 2008

Print   Email this