DIVISION FOUR ROUNDUP: Witham take over the number one spot (From Wiltshire Times)

Div Four

DIVISION FOUR ROUNDUP: Witham take over the number one spot

12:09pm Monday 1st February 2010

FOLLOWING the withdrawal of X Change FC from the Division Four line-up, the immediate impact saw Gladstone Rovers take over from Lavington (Sunday), who dropped down to third spot after leading the table since day one of the season.

Gladstone’s sole lead at the summit lasted a few days - they have now been joined on 18 points by Somerset-based Witham Friary, whose 21-1 victory over basement side Audley Spartans sees them head the table with a superior goal difference to any of the other clubs in the promotion race. Audley, who suffered a 14-1 defeat when the sides met earlier in the season, played the whole match with just 10 players and had to use defender Gavin Freegard as a makeshift keeper.

And it came as little surprise that they found themselves 13-0 down at the half time interval with Witham’s Kirk Latham scoring a five-timer before he substituted himself at the break.

Latham was outscored by Simon Millard, who netteda double hat-trick, his six goals taking him to 29 for the season in just nine matches.

Lewis Collier scored a quartet and Dan Reynolds added a brace as did Clinton Hartley.

An own goal and a penalty from Ian Kennedy made up Witham’s 21 goals which saw them pass the century mark for the season. Alan Woodward scored Audley’s consolation when the score was 19-0.

Potterne B 1 Chippenham West End 1

LEIGHTON Joyce was hoping that Chippenham West End side would build on their 5-2 victory over Mash Tun Villa last weekend.

And although the West End didn’t pick up maximum points at Potterne B he must have been pleased with his side who claimed a share of the spoils following their 1-1 draw.

Potterne, who have already beaten West End 5-3 this season, went into the game as favourites to complete a league double but their guests at Northbrook, Market Lavington, put in a fighting performance to upset the odds.

And in truth they had the better of the chances to claiming an outright win but failed to take them.

West End’s debutant Mike Murden had a fantastic game with a man of the match display and Murden had a hand in giving his team the lead on 50 minutes.

From defence Murden picked out Chris Jenkins, who found Joel Lander and the excellent team move was finished off when Lander returned the ball to Jenkins who slotted home at the far post for 1-0.

West End’s Phil Mellor went close to making it 2-0 but his shot rattled against the post and although the visitors had a few more opportunities to double their lead they failed to take any of them.

And with 10 minutes remaining, Potterne’s substitute Tom Mason fired home the equaliser to earn the hosts their point from a thrilling contest.

Somerford FC 1 Corsham Park Rangers 2

HAVING fought out a 1-1 draw back in November, the return match between Corsham Park Rangers and Somerford was always going to be another close one.

And the game between the two evenly-matches sides lived up to all expectations as Corsham Park did just enough to claim a 2-1 victory in a match that saw Martin Perrett’s side earn their sixth win of the season to extend their unbeaten run to six matches.

A mix-up in Somerford’s defence presented Corsham Park’s Kevin Bance with the simplest of chances to give his team the lead and he duly obliged by tapping home on three minutes. Corsham Park doubled their lead midway through the first half when Lydon Cambourne pass found Jake Marshall, who fired home to make it 2-0 and that was how it remained until half time.

The second period saw Somerford begin the brighter of the two sides and they worked their way back into the game with a brilliant strike from Alex Braithwaite, who latched onto a long clearance from defence before drilling home a 30-yard thunderbolt.

But despite their being chances at both ends that is where the scoring stopped at Corsham Park held out for another win.

MATCH OFF: Kings Arms (All Cannings) v Lavington (Sunday)