DIVISION TWO PREVIEW: Audley look to bounce back after cup heartache (From Wiltshire Times)

DIVISION TWO PREVIEW: Audley look to bounce back after cup heartache

11:27am Friday 22nd January 2010

FOLLOWING their 14-1 hammering at the hands of top-flight Biddestone Social last weekend, Steve Mallard will be hoping his Audley FC side won’t still be shell-shocked when they welcome a struggling Pig & Whistle United side to their base at Stanley Park, Chippenham.

Until a month or so ago this would have been a banker for the Audley side, who defeated their guests 5-1 back in October.

A victory for Pig & Whistle last weekend over Green Bell moved them off the foot of the table and manager Nathan Mantle will be hoping that from this point on it will be onwards and upwards for his Melksham-based side, who have only picked up six points from a possible 26.

Audley will start the game as red-hot favourites to claim their seventh win of the season from just eight games.

In that time the hosts have netted 53 goals but last week saw the high scorers given a reality check by the Biddy boys so they won’t take things for granted.

With the visitors desperate for any points they can get, anything could happen and that includes United claiming a surprise win.

AFC Bell v Sutton Benger

NEITHER AFC Bell or Sutton Benger have kicked a ball in anger in the new year.

Benger, who last played in early December, were beaten 3-1 by AFC Melksham, while the Bell last game at the end of 2009 saw them draw 1-1 with local rivals Green Bell.

That, for Gary Campbell’s side was a disappointing result as it denied his team a seventh straight victory.

Benger were beaten 5-3 by their hosts in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign and the Bell also claimed two convincing wins last term, winning 5-1 and 7-1.

But Benger have improved this term and, if they keep things tight at the back, they have a very good chance of beating Bell for the first time ever - something they need to do if they want to get back in the race for an automatic promotion spot.

Bell are tipped to take the honours, but Benger may just come up with the goods to get a point.

Biddestone White Horse v North Star A

GOALS from Nick Bloodworth, Rob Lymath and Chris Robinson earned North Star A a surprise 3-2 victory over Biddestone White Horse when the sides met back in October.

And the Star’s manager Gary Marshall will be hoping that his side can repeat their victory when the teams meet at Yatton Road this Sunday.

Both teams are equally matched and have eight points to their name.

And despite the teams not having played for five weeks it should be another close contest which the White Horse could win.

So far this season Biddestone have blown hot and cold and manager Matt Unwin will be hoping that his side can produce a good performance to avenge their earlier loss.

Biddestone have the players who are capable of producing the goods but it’s a case of getting them all to perform to their best at the same time.

If that can happen then they can be a match for any side and this is one game they should take maximum points as they look to kick start what to date has been a poor season.

Bradford Renegades v The Three Crowns United

LANCE Davis will prepare his battle-scarred Bradford Renegades for a tough home battle with rivals Three Crowns United this weekend.

The game at St Lawrence School is likely to be a fiercely-contested one between the teams who were promoted as winners and runners up from the Third Division last term, Three Crowns taking the title by two points from their hosts.

Three Crowns, who have not won in four games, beat Bradford 3-2 back in October and they will see this game as the one that could get them back on the winning trail.

Renegades have plummeted to the foot of the table after being inactive since early December and have lost their previous four games.

Bromham (Sunday) v AFC Melksham

A FREDDIE Paget goal earned Bromham a 1-0 victory over AFC Melksham when the sides got together in mid-October.

But three months on that scoreline is likely to be reversed when the sides lock horns at the Jubilee Field ground this weekend.

Melksham have shown some good form of late and will go into the game as favourites to claim their eighth win of the season.

Should they do that and other results go their way then they could move into second place.

Melksham, who now have Gareth Evans, Mark James and find of the season Ollie Woodland playing well together, should take maximum points, but rule Bromham out at your peril.

They have a knack of coming good when you least expect them too and, seeing as they will go into the game bidding for a fourth straight victory, they shouldn’t be written off.

Melksham are still on a high after becoming the first team to take a point from leaders Hullavington last weekend when the sides drew 2-2.

The outcome could be as close as the earlier encounter and the sides may well end up being separated by a single goal again.

But on this occasion, if Melksham approach the game in the right manner, they should take the points.

Hullavington v Christian Malford

MATT Wilkins, manager of leaders Hullavington, will see the point they earned at AFC Melksham last weekend as one won rather than lost, especially as his team staged a late fight back to secure 2-2 draw.

Hullavington should have few problems in returning to winning ways this Sunday when they host Christian Malford, who they have already beaten 6-1 this season.

Hullavington also won both encounters last season thanks to a 3-0 success which was preceded by an emphatic 11-2 victory.

The result of this game is likely to see Wilkins' side claim a fourth straight win over Malford, but they are unlikely to score as many goals.

The points will end up going the way of the leaders and the winning margin should be comfortable.

If Malford were to get anything from the game it would be one of the biggest upsets for many years.

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