WITH the weather forcing pacesetters Castle Combe to postpone their game with Semington Magpies, it gave fellow title hopefuls North Bradley the chance to close the gap on Tom Bull’s table-toppers.

Bradley were due to visit Warminster Town Reserves with the Town’s Weymouth Street ground unplayable and, thanks to the foresight of Bradley manager Ben Howe, the game was switched to Bradley as Howe had marked the pitch in preparation for a possible postponement the day before.

His efforts were rewarded with a 6-1 victory over a young Warminster side, who never game up as they made their hosts work hard for the points.

Pete Spong who was inspirational for Bradley set them on their way, Sam Clarke doubled the lead and Steve Jackson added number three and a rare Dan Mercer goal gave the villagers a comfortable lead at the break.

Bradley’s fifth came from Pete Spong and their sixth was a brilliant chip from substitute John Baker all of which arrived before Toby Boulton replied late on for Warminster.

Trowbridge Town Reserves suffered a further blow to their hopes of avoiding relegation.

Ralph McCaldon’s side, currently bottom of the table three points adrift of Semington Magpies who they play next weekend, suffered a 4-3 loss at Hilperton United making their game with the Magpies next week a must-win one for both teams.

Bradley King-Taylor saw his opener for Hilperton cancelled out by Michael Johnson who first of the game on 25 minutes squared things up.

Dean Coles regained the lead for Hilperton but back came Trowbridge and for a second time Johnson got his team back on level terms, his 57th minute strike making it 2-2.

A second for Dean Coles saw the match swing back in favour of Hilperton but for a third time in the game Trowbridge fashioned an equaliser and it was that man Johnson who drew the teams level on 70 minutes.

With both teams chasing a winner it was Hilperton who came up trumps with Ryan Underwood scoring a late penalty to earn Tony Stevens side the narrowest of victories in a seven-goal thriller.

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