Saints take points from top of the table clash (From Wiltshire Times)

Saints take points from top of the table clash

11:27am Monday 15th January 2007 in News 2007/08

DIVISION One leaders North Bradley Saints travelled to in-form Seend United for their top of the table clash and scored either side of the interval to go home with all three points.

On a heavy surface, both teams should be congratulated on the attractive and competitive game they produced.

After an even start, the home side applied considerable pressure on the visitors' defence. Seend sent over a number of good crosses from the flanks but the strikers failed to get on the end of them and very little was on target.

After some stubborn defending, Dan Mercer broke away for The Saints in the 33rd minute but his shot was off target.

The same player broke away again in the 40th minute and this time opened the scoring for the visitors.

A few minutes into the second half a through ball was slotted through and Scott Askew doubled the lead.

After 75 minutes John Hubbard pulled a goal back for for Seend when he produced an unstoppable strike into the top corner of the net from the edge of the box. Although the Saints goalkeeper, who had a very good game, went the right way he could not keep the shot out.

With 10 minutes to go Seend's Kai Miller had a good chance and should have scored and in the dying seconds Seend could have levelled but a shot on target was well turned round the post by the goalkeeper.

Third placed Blue Circle dropped two points at home to Warminster Town Reserves. The home side went into the break with a 1-0 lead after Steve Martin had opened the scoring. The second half continued with both teams playing attacking football, Circle struck again with Steve Martin getting his second before Wayne Melvin and Tom Ford replied for Warminster to tie the match at 2-2.

Division Two

HILPERTON United moved off the bottom of the table after they beat The Lamb in basement clash.

Mark Billett scored for the home side, with Dave Sykes replying for Hilperton to give a half-time score of 1-1. Two goals from Sam Simpson in the second half wrapped up the victory for the visitors.

St Andrews must have thought they were getting a late Christmas present from Steeple Ashton, as they handed out a hammering and took home all three points.

St Andrews made the brighter start, knocking the ball about at ease as Ashton's midfield failed to cope with their movement.

It was no surprise when the visitors took an early lead. A long free kick to the back post was not dealt with by John Jones or his surrounding defenders, allowing Tom Colla to head home.

This woke up Ashton and they were soon on level terms. Guy Rowley was pulled down in the box and the resulting penalty kick was put away by Sam Stevens.

After his initial kick had been saved he struck home the rebound.

The home side then found themselves under constant pressure, but a rare breakaway from the lively Ashley Ellis gave them the lead. The lead however was short lived as the Ashton goalkeeper failed to deal with another free kick and Colla knocked in a far post header in for his second goal.

The second half started no better for the home side and they only just survived a mix-up between Jones and Nathan Holloway. Ashton were then somewhat fortunate to find themselves ahead as Ashley Ellis lobbed the goalkeeper. The visitors then stepped up the pressure and pulled it back to all square through a strike from Keith Mackrell. John Jones's day then went from bad to worse as first Chris Bentley-Taylor beat him with a header at the far post and then he fumbled a shot over the line from Jake Sorensen to leave the final score 5-3 to the visitors.

With AFC Trowbridge Town Youth Reserves not playing this week Westbury United A closed the gap at the top to just three points with a 4-1 home victory over bottom placed Frome Town Sports A.

Westbury struck first through Dan Martin only for Jamie Mines to equalise.

The second half saw Westbury dominate and score three unanswered goals, through Sam Tucker, Mark Miszta and Ian Jefferies.

Spring Cup

LEAGUE positions counted for nothing in the preliminary round match between high flying Mere Town and lowly Bradford Town A in the AM Print and Copy of Westbury-sponsored Spring Cup.

Bradford were 3-0 up at the break, through goals from Stuart Jones, Stuart Tutty (penalty) and Tom Melbourn. The second half saw Mere pull two goals back, through Gavin and Chris Parfitt, only for Bradford to also score two, Tom Melbourn getting his second and Mark McGuire also on target.