Steeple Ashton's return to the top (From Wiltshire Times)

Steeple Ashton's return to the top

11:20am Monday 3rd November 2008 in Sport

Steeple Ashton Rangers returned to goal scoring ways and the top of Division three as they hit six unanswered goals past the Crown FC.

Both teams tried to play football in very difficult conditions at St Mary’s and it was Rangers who got an early foothold in the game when Jamie Ford was played through and calmly placed home to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

John Hampshire in the Crown’s goal produced some saves denying Lee Mounty who's long range effort was tipped onto the bar, Hampshire also palmed away another Jamie Ford strike. Nick Harford had an effort that went just wide for Crown. Ashton should have been two up but after a one-two with Darren Hill, Marc Sheppard dragged his shot wide which meant that Ashton took a slender one goal lead into the second half.

An equally open second half started at a very high tempo. Rangers scored early on when a Michael Ritson cross was bundled over by Darren Hill for whom it was his first for the club. Sheppard made it 3-0 when he raced onto a Jamie Ford through ball and fired home.

Ashton keeper Ben King then made a superb save from John Oram tipping his effort over the bar. Jamie Ford then got his second of the game and Ashton’s fourth when he side footed home from close range. Jamie Ford then had two golden opportunities to complete his hat-trick but stumbled or missed the target.

Ford was then rewarded when he again found space and tapped past Hampshire for his hat trick. Birthday boy Dan Ford then completed the scoring with a 20-yard strike that flew into the bottom corner.

Bromham (Sunday) 1, Corsham Park Rangers 1

Bromham (Sunday) and Corsham Park Rangers fought out a one-one draw at a very soggy Jubilee Field, Bromham.

Rangers took a first half lead via James Parsons whose shot cannoned in the net off the post.

Andy Hobbs replied for Bromham in the second period with his first goal for the club since his summer move from Churchill Arms (Lavington Sunday) and the villagers had the chance to steal both points but Tom Paget went close when he should probably have scored.

Corsham United 2, The Three Crowns United 6

Alan Davis came to the rescue of both Corsham United and Three Crowns United after the original referee for the game at Leafy Lane failed to show.

Davis, who is a Three Crowns player , had an excellent game as a stand-in referee but may rather have played a part in his teams 6-2 victory.

Stuart White scored a 25 yard screamer after good work from Steve Warner to give Three Crowns the lead.

Marcus Young scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 after Nick Still had been fouled and Julian Collier slotted home number three to give Tony Beasley’s side a comfortable 3-0 interval lead.

Two quick goals from Dan Blunsdon and Dominic Reid at the start of the second half set Three Crowns nerves jangling but a second from Collier who headed home a Still cross put the visitors back in charge. Kelvin Page scored two late goals for Three Crowns, his first was a stunning long range drive and the second saw him flick home another excellent cross from Nick Still who had an outstanding game.

Lavington (Sunday) 7, Blue Circle (Sunday) 3

Lavington (Sunday) are in second spot after their 7-3 win over Blue Circle (Sunday) coupled with previous leaders Three Horseshoes Renegeades defeat at home to Trowbridge Town Supporters Club catapulted them up from third spot.

Lavington were due to travel to the cement works, Westbury to face Blue Circle but with that pitch being unplayable both teams were happy to switch the game to Sandfield, West Lavington. Lavington had the game won within the first 15 minutes as they tore the Circle apart to gain a five goal lead, Myles Hickton started the scoring, Craig Campbell made it 2-0 before a second from Hickton put the hosts three goals ahead.

Ryan Smith added number four before Hickton scored a third to complete his quick fire treble.

Martin Hemmens pulled a goal back for the visitors but it proved to be a false dawn as second half goals from Smith and Josh Sheppard gave the home team a six goal advantage before late goals from Andy Cousins and Steve Martin for the Circle made the scoreline look a little more respectable.

Southwick Wanderers 1, Westbury Rangers B 3

Westbury Rangers B claimed what seemed a long overdue victory away at Southwick Wanderers who they beat 3-1 to end a two match losing run that seemed a lot long longer to the Rangers players who have suffered defeat by the odd goal in four of their previous five games.

Westbury took the lead on the 38th minute when Ashley Easton netted having been played in by Dave Jones. Second half substitute Neil Gordon played a huge part in Rangers second, set up by Matt Mead, Gordon delivered the perfect cross to Liam Griffiths who made it 2-0 in the 71st minute.

Wanderers pulled a goal back 10 minutes after Tom Mann stopped a Rangers break and crossed for Carl Mackness who provided a great finish to reduce the arrears, for Mackness it was his third goal in as many games.

Wanderers joy lasted all of two minutes as sub Gordon played a great ball to Gary Tugwell who fired home his seventh goal of the season to wrap up his teams win.

Three Horseshoes Renegades 2, Trowbridge Town Supporters’ Club 3

For a second successive season Trowbridge Town Supporters’ Club visited St Laurence School, Bradford and returned with maximum points from their clash with Three Horseshoes Renegades and just like last season's meeting the scoreline ended with the supporters’ club taking the spoils by the odd goal, but this season they had to settle for a 3-2 win rather than the 4-3 one which they attained in January.

Richard Coleman put the supporters’ club ahead when he netted from the penalty spot. The visitors stayed in front until early in the second half when Ricky Montacute headed Renegades level. The supporters’ club regained the lead when Lee Ridout put through his own goal and the took a 3-1 lead thanks to Gary McLaughlin.

Renegades pulled a goal back when Lance Davis scored from the penalty spot but it couldn’t save his team from defeat.

Renegades were reduced to 10 men late on after the had Jake Jordan sent off for showing dissent after what he thought was a few poor decisions from the supporters’ club linesman.