SURPRISINGLY, FC Box Steam Brewery’s pitch at Bobbin Lane, passed a late inspection.

But, after being given the green light, the Brewery’s boys’ third division clash against Bratton was in doubt as the visitors arrived at Westwood with just eight players before eventually kicking off with 11.

A 7-1 win for the hosts keeps them three points behind leaders Melksham Town A.

Jason Povey, who has been in red-hot form since he made his debut for the club in their 8-2 win over FC Trowbridge back in the middle of September, gave his team the lead as he plundered himself a first-half hat-trick.

Reuben Spong, Povey’s partner in crime in front of goal, added to his season’s tally with a double that made it 5-0.

A lapse in concentration in the Brewery Boy’s defence let in Fosu Gharban, who drilled home from close range to reduce the arrears.

It didn’t take too long for the hosts to regroup and a further two goals from Povey that took his afternoon’s total to five and season’s tally to 30 in just 10 outings.

It was top versus bottom at Melksham Oak Community School, where leaders Melksham Town A welcomed Zeals FC for a fixture which had been switched from The Beeches.

As in the previous encounter which Melksham won 7-0, it was Barry Holloway’s hosts who were victorious as they ran out 5-0 winners.

Callum Demkiv set Melksham on there way before he added his second of the afternoon. Chay Forester made it 3-0 before half time.

Dan Moore added a fourth for Melksham prior to Demkiv finding the net for a third time to complete his team's 5-0 success.

Having kicked off the New Year with a 10-1 triumph over FC Trowbridge, Potterne were in the goals for a second successive weekend and they boosted their goals for tally thanks to a Tom Lye-inspired performance as they claimed a 15-1 victory at home to Hilperton United Reserves.

Lye opening the scoring for Potterne and made it made it 2-0 before a Steven House double saw them lead 4-0.

Lewis Smith pulled a goal back but it was only a consolation as two goals for Neil Clark, another for Lye and a Wayne House gave them a 9-1 half-time lead.

The second half saw Clark add another to complete his hat-trick. Pete Huntley scored two rare goals and Lye bagged himself a further four goals to claim a seven timer on the day and take his tally for the season to 25 in eight games.

Despite being on the end of a 15-1 loss, Hilperton keeper Martin Cowdrey had a fine game between the sticks as he produced a number of stops that denied Potterne a possible 10 more goals.