WITH Freshford United already crowned Trowbridge League Division One champions, they really had nothing to play for in their final league outing of the campaign at home to North Bradley.

However, the same couldn’t be said of Ben Howe’s visitors to Brown’s Park, who needed a victory to steal second spot from Bradford United.

Freshford, who had beaten Bradley 5-3 back in October, would have had one-eye on Tuesday evening’s A&B Cup final against Division Two winners Holt, so had Chris Birleson opted to rest a few players, he may have been forgiven.

But wanting to go through the season unbeaten. he went for broke and although Bradley didn’t get the win they were after, a thrilling 3-3 draw was a credit to both sides and a great advert for grass roots football.

Bradley went one up through an early Carl Davies goal but a Craig Brown penalty restored parity for Freshford, who went in at the break 2-1 in front courtesy of a third goal of the season from Elliot Carris-Smith.

Reuben Spong got Bradley back on level terms when he fired home from the penalty spot and a well-taken goal from Spong put Bradley 3-2 up - for Spong, it was his 19th goal for Bradley in just eight games and his 45th this season, having scored 26 for former employers FC Box Steam Brewery.

With Bradley now in the ascendancy and looking on course for the win that they longed for, all their hard work was undone when Gavin Eyre provided the perfect ball to Tom Rooney, who tucked away his 25th goal of the season to deny Bradley all three points.

Bradley’s manager Howe will no doubt look back on last week's dropped points against Semington Magpies thinking what could have been, but with the Centenary Remembrance Cup to look forward to, they could still yet claim a piece of silverware this term.

League chairman Roly Hill and league secretary Colin Kennerson presented Freshford United with the Division One winners trophy and their players with their mementoes after the game.