AFC book semi-final place (From Wiltshire Times)

AFC book semi-final place

9:59am Monday 12th March 2007 in News 2007/08

A&B Cup 2nd Round (Sponsored by Pied Piper Promotions)

FC Northbridge v AFC Trowbridge Town Youth Reserves

Trowbridge earned their place in the Semi Final of the Pied Piper Promotions A&B Cup against Frome Town Sports after this 5-2 away victory over FC Northbridge.

James Vince gave the visitors a one goal advantage at the break. The second period saw both teams' hungry to score goals and they didn't disappoint Richard Bradbear and James Starr scored for Northbridge while James Vince and Paul Gittens grabbed two apiece.

Division One

The Deverills v Freshford United

This match had 0-0 written all over it until the red mist descended midway through the first half.

Damien Holten managed to get himself cautioned in the 21st minute for a late tackle on an opponent.

Two minutes later the same player was then fouled himself which resulted in Stuart Arnold being cautioned for Freshford, however this was not before Holten dished out his own punishment on Arnold, this left the Referee with no choice but to dismiss him for his second cautionable offence.

The game then settled down but no team could break the deadlock and halftime saw both teams go in at 0-0.

Freshford started the second period determined to score and on 54th minutes they got their just rewards when Phil Little broke the deadlock. The Deverills first half substitute Lee Carpenter then got himself cautioned three minutes later for a late challenged on an opponent. Both teams continued to press, but the game took another twist when on 69 minutes Lee Carpenter managed to get himself sent off for his second cautionable offence, The Deverills now down to nine men.

Freshford then went all out for the victory and with four minutes left of play they were awarded a penalty, however the spot kick was saved. This only galvanised the visitors determination to score a second and in the last minute Paul Mockridge ran through several defenders to slot the ball home and Freshford bagged all three point.

Bradford United v Heytesbury

At half time it looked as though Bradford United's season long inability to convert their chances was going to cost them two points and when they went down to ten men in the 65th minute it seemed even more likely.

However, the dismissal seemed to galvanize United and they penned Heytesbury in their own half for the rest of the match, eventually winning by 2-0 through goals from substitutes Jon Williams and Jack Bottomley.

This was a fair reflection of United's superiority as the home keeper was only troubled once throughout the game when Heytesbury hit a post in the second half following a scramble in the goal mouth after a corner.

Division Two

Frome Town Sports A' v Steeple Ashton

Ashton travelled to Gypsy Lane looking to keep up their unbeaten league away record.

The open fifteen minutes was very scrappy for both sides, no team able to take control on a bumpy pitch.

A 24th minute Bryn Holt long through ball sets Guy Rowley away on a bursting run, who then chips the Sports Goalkeeper with ease to give the visitors the lead.

Marc Sheppard was unlucky not to double Ashton's lead when his 20 yard free kick smashed against Frome's bar in the 33rd minute, however three minutes later another Sheppard free kick was played into Nathan Holloway's feet, who turned and rifled his shot into the Frome net, 2-0.

Ashton's third goal came two minutes later after a cross from Andy Hallett found Anthony Pritchard who neatly placed his shot past the beleaguered Frome Keeper.

Ashton's fourth wasn't long in coming as with five minutes to go before the break, Hindle burst through the Frome defence and the loose ball found its way to Sam Stevens who netted from close range.

The second half became a scrappy affair with Frome peppering Ashton's defence with long balls, which was easily dealt with by the defensive trio of Holloway, Sheppard and Holt.

The new Frome tactics of the long ball meant that Ashton played most of the second period on the counter attack and eventually in the 77th minute Guy Rowley scored his second and Ashton's fifth to wrap up the match 5-0.

Lavington v Hilperton United

Lavington and Hilperton scrapped for a 3-3 draw. John Paul Chenoweth scored Lavington's opener only for Steve Lewin to score a brace to give the visitors a 2-1 lead at the break.

The second period saw a reversal of fortunes for the two teams with Lavington scoring two through Darren Gale and Jamie Bayes, Eian True scored for Hilperton.

Semington Magpies v Bratton

Bratton must have thought their dismal run had come to an end by half time in their match away to Semington having scored two goals and going in with a two -one lead.

Stuart Barber scoring for Semington. The second period saw Bratton's fortunes change as they conceded two goals through Andy Harrison and a Mark James penalty to end up losing 3-2.

Westbury United A' v St Andrews

Westbury United A' kept pace with the leader after they overcame 4th placed St Andrews 4-1. Ian Jefferies gave the home side a one goal advantage at the break.

The second half was wrapped up with three goals from Tim Coombes, Matthew Friendship and Tim Summerfield. Lewis Mellam scored St Andrews consolation.

Division Three

Cross Keys Rowde v The Eleven Statues

The clash of the day in division three saw league leaders The Eleven Statues overcome second placed Cross Keys Rowde 3-2 away.

Jamie Mullings had given the home side a 1-0 lead at half time before adding his second early in the 2nd half. The Statues then began their victory rally scoring three goals from Dan Walker, Aarron Blacker and Damien Mead.

FC Chippenham Reserves v The Stiffs

FC Chippenham kept in touch with Cross Keys Rowde after they humiliated The Stiffs six goals to nil.

4-0 up at the break through two goals each from Lee Blackmore and Luke Turvey, the home side eased up in the second half and scored two more with strikes from Tom Highmore and Mike Tilley.

The Trowbridge Ship v Bradford Town A'

Bradford Town consolidated their place in mid table after taking all three points against The Trowbridge Ship.

The match was all over at halftime Bradford scoring three goals with Darren Carter scoring The Ships consolation goal.

Wilts Junior Cup Semi Final

Seend United v North Bradley Saints

League leaders North Bradley Saints go through to the Wilts Junior Cup final after beating Seend United 3-2 at Corsham's, Lacock Road Ground.

This thriller between two good local junior teams was played on a somewhat surprisingly firm surface which gave a few strange bounces.

Seend had the better of the opening exchanges but on 12 minutes they gave away a free-kick on the edge of their penalty area.

Saints Tom Pang drilled the ball high into the net giving the goal-keeper no chance, Saints extended this lead on 22 minutes with a good strike from Sam McWade over the keeper who was off his line. Shortly afterwards Seend's Mike Hopkins had a good shot on target saved by Saints impressive keeper Tom Berryman. With 15 minutes left of the half Seend's Chris Styles was brought down in the box, the resulting penalty was converted by Matt Cole to send them in at the interval only one goal down.

Two minutes into the restart, following a good run and cross down the left by Styles, Steve Burns headed home Seend's equaliser. United then took control for the majority of the half without adding to their total. Saints relied on breakaways from Pang and the ever dangerous Scott Askew.

With 15 minutes left a Seend defender handled inside the box. Richard Bilha scored from the spot to regain the lead for the Saints.

Seend to their credit continued to press forward and created two good goal chances in the last 10 minutes. However the Saints hung on to win by the odd goal in five.

Somerset Junior Cup Semi Final

Normalair v Frome Town Sports

Frome's cup run came to an end when they came up against Normalair from the Yeovil League.

The visitors lost one-nil in a very scrappy game. The goal came in the second half.